Topic: Think Like Jesus
Text: Philippians 2: 5 -11
Key Verse: “…and think the same way that Christ Jesus thought”: – Philippians 2:5
One famous quote that has made a lot of difference in my life lately is one of Dallas Willard’s quotes. “Discipleship is the process of becoming who Jesus would be if he were you.” Think about it deeply. The statement confronts me with several issues.
Discipleship is not a Bible study series, it is an ongoing process of transformation. Secondly, Jesus is the hero of this project, he is the standard of perfection. Thirdly, I know from this quote that it requires my modelling Jesus in my day to day life, wearing all the different caps l carry as sister, wife, mother, pastor, entrepreneur, counsellor, neighbour, employer, and a citizen of my nation. Jesus wants to be carried around in my body, revealing his ways, values, character, opinions, lifestyle, etc to the world.
This mission would be near impossible to achieve except l can think as he thought, which is our key verse for today. Thinking like Jesus is so important because… For as he thinks within himself, so he is. He says to you, “Eat and drink!” But his heart is not with you. – Proverbs 23:7
People may speak words that are not a reflection of how they think and those words are not the revelation of their character and personality but their thoughts are.
When we desire to think like Jesus, we must be aware that before we came to faith in Jesus, we already had a belief system developed from the things our mind has learned from our parents or caregivers, teachers, and the environment in which we are raised. To think like Christ we must be ready to renew the mind daily.
Don’t be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything good and pleasing to him. – Romans 12:2 (CEV)
It is God who changes the way we think using the scriptures and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. But, we must be willing to let go of the old before the new can come. We must be dissatisfied with the former mindsets then we will be eager and determined to replace it with a new one.
A believer who does not see any difference in his or her new identity different from the world will find it difficult to change the way of thinking.
At the new birth, we are brought into a new kingdom, even if we do not feel anything physically, spiritually we have changed sides and allegiances.
God rescued us from the dark power of Satan and brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son, – Colossians 1:13
Changing our way of thinking will not be likened to mending an old garment with a new piece, it will require a completely new garment. This understanding will make the process very easy.
No one uses a new piece of cloth to patch old clothes. The patch would shrink and tear a bigger hole. – Matthew 9:16
Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new. – 2 Corinthians 5:17
Have you experienced this newness?
May the hunger of your heart in this new season be to think like Jesus and experience the transformation God has for you in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Roses&Thorns