"You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross." (Phil 2:5-8, NLT) We all are eager to identify with the lion character of the Saviour. The lion character is the dominion character, the ruling character; and it speaks of the character of the Saviour to the world. That is why it is the Lion of the "tribe of Judah" not the Lion of "God" - speaking of His relationship with the world. But there is another character of the Christ which is the character of humility. The character of submision; and this character speaks of His relationship with the Father. That is why it is addressed as the Lamb of "God", not the Lamb of the "tribe of Judah". And it is this character that exemplifies the mind of our Christ that I want us to consider today. The scripture says to let the mind that was in Christ Jesus also be in us, whom though He was God did not cling to His right as God but submitted Himself to accomplish the will of the Father". Christ was submissive to the will of the Father even when it was unpleasant to Him. Three times He prayed that if it was possible that the cup should pass over Him; and also three times He concluded that the will of the Father be done instead. In this dispensation, it seems we are raising Christians who have mastered how to impose their wills on God. it is always God do this, God do that. We have perfected the concept of "stubborn faith", "wrestling with God", "commanding God concerning the works of His hands"... which are all concept developed out of a poor understanding of the scripture. The mind of Christ is a mind that is submissive to the will of God. And let me give you a warning: God's will is not always pleasant; but it is always the best!.
Today, we have to assess our belief and attitude towards God. We have to question whether we are truly like Christ. Do we really submit to the will of God. Or, are we stubbornly projecting our own will. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His word, what a glory He sheds on our way. When we do His good will, He abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey. There is no other way to be happy in Jesus. Going aganist the will of God is the recipe for confusion, frustration, disorientation and regret. Our Christ was submissive even unto death.