We as faithful people are called, as Paul puts it, to “let the same mind be in (us) that was in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). As good a gift as our minds are, they can lead us astray, toward the ways of brokenness, pain, hurt, suffering and even death. To “live and die in Christ” is to take on our Lord’s mind – to let his mind be our own.
I was talking with a friend about this the other day. As we chatted about faith and life, his face drew in a little, and he asked: “Why is it the case that congregations so often center on what they can and must do to survive, rather than ask what they can and must do to remain in and reflect the ways of Christ?”
“To live and die in Christ?” It is to be alive to the Spirit no matter how deep the pain goes. It is to be willing to reach out not for the sake of survival, but for the sake of love. It shares grace, hope, mercy and faith both within the congregation itself and the community it serves, no matter what.
This message is excerpted from “Taking on our Lord’s mind” by Karen Bates Olson in the January/February 2018 Gather magazine.
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