In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. (Phil 2:5)
Expanded Passage: Philippians 2:1-11
In his writing on pain, C. S. Lewis narrowed in on love, juxtaposing it against kindness. And while you might think that odd for a moment, the juxtaposition actually points to the kind of compassionate love our Lord Jesus has for us. Jesus’ love isn’t merely kind. It doesn’t placate in hopes that our feathers don’t get ruffled, nor does it allow for us to stay the same. Rather, Jesus’ kind love for us invites challenge, repentance, and true change.
When Paul admonished the Philippian believers to have the same mindset as Christ Jesus within the context of their biblical community, he was asking them for more than mere kindness. He was calling them to be a people of courage and challenge, of admonition and accountability. In order to see their brothers and sisters truly transformed to be more like Jesus, they needed to love each other in a way that is okay with ruffling some feathers.
How about you? Are you in a biblical community that loves each other well by speaking truth and calling out sin within your own camp? Today I invite you to consider stepping more deeply into this kind of thriving relationship, where more value is placed on continual transformation into Christlikeness than on keeping the status quo. In this way, we take on the same mindset as Christ Jesus.
Consider how you can love your brothers and sisters like Jesus does.
Elizabeth Rhyno is wife to Scott, mom to three adult children, and a worship pastor and entrepreneur. She enjoys coaching women and creating opportunities to invest in their growth and development.
© 2025 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
