“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21). What Paul says here about his own identity with Christ is to be true of all Christians. Christ is “our life” just as he was Paul’s (Col. 3:4). Within living this life of Christ, it has to do with taking on the mind of Christ. That is why Paul commands in Philippians 2:5, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” Yet, how can we develop the mind of Christ?
First, we must forget our privileges, just as Christ did for us (Phil. 2:5-8). Jesus, who is the very nature of God, became man in the flesh and subject to the physical weaknesses of the human nature (John 1:14). Additionally, He left the glory of heaven to be a servant, willingly (Mark 10:45; John 13:15-17), and made himself of no reputation (Ps. 22:6). Even more importantly, Jesus humbled Himself and came as a sacrifice, a total act of selflessness for us. Therefore, our Lord emptied Him of His privileges, and He expects the same of us (Rom. 12:1-3).
Secondly, we must take the long view, just as Christ did for us (Phil. 2:9-11). Our Lord did not only see Himself in the “here and now.” He saw Himself in glory after enduring everything He would suffer. For this reason, the author of Hebrews said concerning Christ, “… who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2). Therefore, our Redeemer took the long view, and when we do not take the long view, we become short sighted, event to blindness, and it causes us to stumble (1 Pet. 1:5-10).
Finally, we must remain true to our commitment, just as Christ did for us (Phil. 2:12- 13). Our Savior was continually dedicated to His duty (Luke 9:51). In matter of fact, in the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed, “Lord if this cup can pass from me, let it, but not my will, but your will” (Matt. 26:39). The human nature of Christ did not want to go through that cruel crucifixion, but still, Christ said, “Your will be done”, and He laid down His life willingly (John 10:17-18), Therefore, Jesus remained true to His commitment, and He requested that we are to have the same commitment that He demonstrated (1 John 15:10).