But we have the mind of Christ.
2 Corinthians 3:1 NKJV
The Apostle Paul had one of the most brilliant minds of his generation. Prior to his conversion, the early church was experiencing explosive growth.
During this time Paul used all of his mental faculties to hunt down Christians, arrest them and destroy the church.
But something happened while Paul was on the road to Damascus, breathing threats and murder against the followers of Jesus. He had an encounter with Jesus that radically transformed him and changed the trajectory of his life.
The one who hated the name of Jesus now called Him Lord. Saul became Paul. The persecutor became the persecuted. The one who tore down the church was now building the church. The greatest opponent of the church became the greatest proponent of the church and Paul’s brilliant mind was now being used to spread the Gospel throughout the world. Paul had a new mind, a new message and a new mission.
Paul who previously had a mind of his own could now say to the Corinthian church that he had the mind of Christ.
Paul’s greatest legacy was the letters that he wrote to the church. In his letter to the Corinthians Paul describes the church as the body of Christ, and that just as Christ is the head of the body, He is the head of the church.
When we, the body of Christ have the mind of Christ, then we begin to think like Him and we have His purpose in mind in all that we do.
Paul knew the power of the mind of Christ and the power a new mind, so he writes and exhorts us:
“be made new in the attitude of your minds; and put on the new self, created to be like God.” Ephesians 4:23-24
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:2
May we like Paul be able to say, we have the mind of Christ, and as we set our minds on Christ, have His greater purpose for our lives in mind in all that we say and do.