Traveling again this week. This time in the mountains of Colorado. Again hanging with some pretty impressive pastors. These a little less rural, a bit more suburban, but with the same passion to go and make disciples. So, finding limited time to keyboard some thoughts. This morning, however, feeling like I need to get a few thoughts down. I am a bit overwhelmed by a fresh reminder from Paul of something “which is yours.”

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.

(Philippians 2:3-7 ESV)

Which is yours in Christ Jesus . . . That’s what I’m chewing on this morning.

The rendering looks to be unique to the ESV. Other translations render the exhortation as “have the same mind” or “have the same attitude.” But the consideration that this mind is already mine, adds a whole new dimension to this command-to-obey.

Mine isn’t to manufacture some super level of of humility, the likes of which is beyond my fallen nature to create or sustain. I can’t power my way to a life characterized by looking to other’s interests above my own. Mine isn’t to “develop” this mind, it is to “have this mind” and let this mind have its way. The mind which is yours in Christ Jesus.

O’ blessed union with Christ. His mind, my mind!

To be sure, there’s a lot of other stuff in my mind that wars against His. And not in just my mind, but in my body, and soul, and spirit, as well. Yet, this mind of Him who took upon Himself the form of a servant “is yours.” And so, I can direct myself towards it, submit myself to it, and, through His power within me, be transformed by it — this mind which is yours in Christ Jesus.

In Christ Jesus . . . no place I’d rather be this morning . . . or any other morning.

This mind . . . no mind I’d aspire for more than the mind of the One who emptied Himself for me.

Father, keep me from selfish ambition and conceit. Let the mind of Christ — now my mind because I am in Christ Jesus — be an increasingly predominant mind.

Only by Your grace. Only for Your glory.