The Mind of Christ

 By David R. Ferguson

 
     I have always admired those individuals who demonstrate great intellect. Wouldn’t it be fascinating to understand the complexities of the cosmos, from the tiniest quark, to the furthest and remotest quasar, in the same manner as Albert Einstein or Stephen Hawking did? Or wouldn’t you have liked to witness in person Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton as they debated the role the Federal government should have in the lives of the People? Or how intriguing would it have been to sit at the feet of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, giving ear to the philosophical discussions taking place in ancient Athens! As interesting as all these men seem to be, there is One Whose wisdom and intellect puts all others to shame, and that is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
     Regardless of the circumstances He faced, whether it was from one of the groups seeking to trip Him up such as the Pharisees and the Sadducees, or even when He was being confronted and tempted by the Great Adversary, Satan himself, Jesus was always able to face them all by leaning upon the word of God and saying, "It is written."
     We, too, can gain in wisdom as Christians by following the precepts of Christ, even to the point of having the mind of Christ: "For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:16). We have the mind of Christ by engaging in a study of His word. Not only will we have the mind of Christ, we will have eternal life: "Truly, truly, I say unto you, if a man keep My word, he shall never see death" (John 8:51). Paul also wrote to Timothy, saying, "Give diligence to present yourself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15).
     By spending time in the word of God, and focusing on His Son and "whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things," (Philippians 4:8), we will be able to then "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God" (Colossians 3:16).
     May the Lord bless you in your studies!

  - David R. Ferguson preaches for the Lakeland Church of Christ in Mattoon, IL.  He may be contacted through the congregation's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lakelandchurchofchrist/ or davidferguson61@yahoo.com