The Spirit of Christ

 

The Bible is full of examples of godly men and women whose behaviors we ought to take note of and emulate. We could consider the faithfulness of Abraham. We would see that he took God at His Word and followed Him. We could consider the patience of Job. From his example, we would learn that God cares for us even when we are hurting and that we can make it through anything because of Him. We might also look at the wisdom of Solomon. From his example, we would learn that the only true wisdom in this world has a divine source and only that source can sustain us in walking in wisdom. 

        All of these men’s examples are a pattern that we should follow. Jehovah also has provided a perfect pattern in the actions of His Son, Jesus. Paul recorded, “But ye are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you. But if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (Romans 8:9). How can we be assured that we have the Spirit of God and Christ? We simply must seek to be more like Jesus. 

Be More Like Jesus in Humility

        Jesus was humble. Perhaps one of the most revealing examples of His humility was when the Lord washed His disciples’ feet. This was not a common example of a master to his subordinates, but Jesus was an uncommon master. He was willing to stoop down and deal with the dirt and filth of his disciples' feet to give us a pattern about how we ought to serve one another in the kingdom. This does not mean that we must literally wash the feet of one another, but it does teach us that we must embrace humility to the utmost degree.

“ So when he had washed their feet, and taken his garments, and sat down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?  Ye call me, Teacher, and, Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.  If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye also should do as I have done to you.  Verily, verily, I say unto you, a servant is not greater than his lord; neither one that is sent greater than he that sent him.”

John 13:12-16

If we have the spirit of Christ we will be humble like Christ serving each other. 

Be More Like Jesus in Submission to God’s Will

To be the type of worshiper our God desires we must do so in spirit and in truth (cf. John 4:23-24). Jesus was never about doing His own thing when he took on the flesh of man. In fact, we might remember another example of his humility was in His obedience to the Father’s will. It was said of Jesus, 

“but (He) emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross.”

Philippians 2:7-8 

        If the Lord was willing to become obedient to the Father even unto death by crucifixion, shouldn't we die to ourselves? This was the attitude and example of Paul. He adds, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me”(Gal. 2:20).   

If we have the spirit of Christ we will submit to our Father’s will no matter what it costs us. 

Be More Like Jesus in Work

        We must learn to work like Jesus. Jesus' attitude perfectly sums this up. 

“We must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.  When I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

John 9:4-5

As Christians, we must exemplify the spirit of Christ in our daily work. Christ called his brethren to be salt and light (cf. Matt. 5:15-16). A Christian is not to be seen as self-righteous but recognized that they are made righteous by Christ. Their righteousness also cannot be veiled when their works are observed by all around them. If we have the spirit of Christ we will work like Jesus. 

Be More Like Jesus in Self-sacrifice 

The Lord gave up so much for us. He gave up heaven for a time to be poor (cf. 2 Cor. 8:9). He gave his own life up so that we have salvation and in addition we have the perfect pattern of what it means to be self-sacrificing.  It is written, 

“make full my joy, that ye be of the same mind, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind; doing nothing through faction or through vainglory, but in lowliness of mind each counting other better than himself; not looking each of you to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.”

Philippians 2:2-4.

        We must look to the needs of others being conscious of the needs of others, by giving of ourselves and our provisions. If we have the spirit of Christ we will not withhold, but be self-sacrificing. 

Be More Like Jesus in Love

        Jesus showed us the greatest love. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). He has given us the complete and perfect pattern of what true love must be. John adds, “We love, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:21). His love compels us to love one another and to love the lost. We find assurance in His love (cf. Rom. 8:35-39). If we wish to have the spirit of Christ we will love like Jesus. 

Grace and Peace, 

R.D. Beavers