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New Article
What Kind of Mind Should We Have?
He was called to a great ministry. He was beginning to be
recognized by the leaders of the spiritual community at a young age.
He already knew more than his parents. But he did not start a career
as a budding young teacher at that point. Instead he "subjected"
himself to his parents' authority for many more years. Instead he
grew in wisdom and stature.
The man described above was the greatest man that ever lived on
earth. He was reported to be a man "who went about doing good,
and healing all that were oppressed of the Devil; for God was with
him" (Acts 10:38). On the other hand, he is also described as "being
the brightness of the Father's glory and the express image of his
person, and upholding all things by the word of his power" (Hebrews
1:3) and as Lord and God. He had everything, as a member of the
triune being of God. However, he gave up every right to which he
was entitled in order to suffer on earth for our sakes: How opposite
of the notions we often cherish, that to defend our rights is the
noblest of actions and to yield is somehow some form of capitulation.
What if I was to watch a television show, but my spouse opposes the
idea?--or it could be spending money, playing a sport, or any other
activity. I may think, "I have a right to watch this show, and she (or
he) can't stop me. After all, I have the right to watch whatever I want
whenever I want if I earn the dollar for it and don't break the law, no
matter if my spouse calls the show inconvenient at the time, profane,
graphic, or immoral. That's her opinion, and I have mine. Why
should she impose her schedule or so-called truth on me?"
How would the man who grew in wisdom and stature handle it?
When faced with a torturous and deadly job to do, he agonized with
his boss to remove the assignment, if at all possible. He did not say,
"I won't do it!" or "I don't deserve to be treated this way!" Instead,
he yielded to what was right and his genuine responsibility, thinking
of others before himself, and he did it. Regarding something as small
as a television program, I suspect the greatest man who ever lived
would not insist on his own way, but would, at minimum, aim for
like-mindedness with his spouse. That was the kind of mind we
should have: Yielding rights, humbling self, preferring others,
accepting hardship. He lived it out to our eternal benefit. His name
is Jesus.
What Kind of Mind Should We Have?
He was called to a great ministry. He was beginning to be
recognized by the leaders of the spiritual community at a young age.
He already knew more than his parents. But he did not start a career
as a budding young teacher at that point. Instead he "subjected"
himself to his parents' authority for many more years. Instead he
grew in wisdom and stature.
The man described above was the greatest man that ever lived on
earth. He was reported to be a man "who went about doing good,
and healing all that were oppressed of the Devil; for God was with
him" (Acts 10:38). On the other hand, he is also described as "being
the brightness of the Father's glory and the express image of his
person, and upholding all things by the word of his power" (Hebrews
1:3) and as Lord and God. He had everything, as a member of the
triune being of God. However, he gave up every right to which he
was entitled in order to suffer on earth for our sakes: How opposite
of the notions we often cherish, that to defend our rights is the
noblest of actions and to yield is somehow some form of capitulation.
What if I was to watch a television show, but my spouse opposes the
idea?--or it could be spending money, playing a sport, or any other
activity. I may think, "I have a right to watch this show, and she (or
he) can't stop me. After all, I have the right to watch whatever I want
whenever I want if I earn the dollar for it and don't break the law, no
matter if my spouse calls the show inconvenient at the time, profane,
graphic, or immoral. That's her opinion, and I have mine. Why
should she impose her schedule or so-called truth on me?"
How would the man who grew in wisdom and stature handle it?
When faced with a torturous and deadly job to do, he agonized with
his boss to remove the assignment, if at all possible. He did not say,
"I won't do it!" or "I don't deserve to be treated this way!" Instead,
he yielded to what was right and his genuine responsibility, thinking
of others before himself, and he did it. Regarding something as small
as a television program, I suspect the greatest man who ever lived
would not insist on his own way, but would, at minimum, aim for
like-mindedness with his spouse. That was the kind of mind we
should have: Yielding rights, humbling self, preferring others,
accepting hardship. He lived it out to our eternal benefit. His name
is Jesus.