But we have the mind of Christ.

1 Corinthians 2:6-16 from the daily reading in the One Year Bible

⁶ Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; ⁷ but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; ⁸ the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; ⁹ but just as it is written,

“Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard,
And which have not entered the heart of man,
All that God has prepared for those who love Him.”

¹⁰ For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. ¹¹ For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. ¹² Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, ¹³ which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.

¹⁴ But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. ¹⁵ But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. ¹⁶ For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.

But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.    That is why we cannot convince people about the truth of God’s word with our words, regardless of how convincing they are and how eloquently we speak them. Jesus says:

"But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. 8"And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; (John 16:7-8)

So what then is our role? Are we just to sit back love and worship God and fellowship with other believers, since the world will not receive our message and our words anyway?  OF COURSE NOT!   Paul says:         ¹² Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, ¹³ which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.

   So what we do, what we say, we do and say by and through the Spirit. All of our words and actions are meaningless works of the flesh if they are not done in submission and obedience to the Spirit. There are many in the world who do good works of service, humanitarian act of kindness,  helping the poor and needy around the world and they are good works. But as Christians we are called to greater works. I don’t say that out of arrogance. It not that we as Christians are better so our works are better. It is because, as Paul says:  who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ. In and through Christ, we have within us the Spirit of Christ and so, we also have the mind of Christ.

Jesus says:  Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. (John 14:12) Because we have the mind of Christ, we should have the same motive as Christ.

He came: “to seek and to save that which was lost."(Luke 19:10)

He came:” that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)

He came, at the very beginning of His earthly ministry saying: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are oppressed,” (Luke 4:18)

If Jesus, God in flesh, was anointed by the Spirit, how much more do we need the anointing of the Spirit to walk in all that Jesus calls us to?  

We should not take lightly the gift and the revelation we have through the Spirit.  We have been given: “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.” What we have we cannot give to others by human reasoning. Because,  a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.

We also though should not look arrogantly on those who do not believe or understand the things of the Spirit. We are not better, we are simply recipients of the grace of God as it says in Ephesians 2:8-9:  For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; ⁹ not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Having received that grace we are not arrogant or boastful. Rather, “we have the mind of Christ”, and so, the motivation and call of Christ. We do the things He did, not to justify ourselves, but because He calls, commands and commissions us to do them.

We, like Jesus, should say:  “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set free those who are oppressed,”   

 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. (Colossians 3:23-24)

¹² Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, ¹³ which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words    and with spiritual actions.

Heavenly Father, Lord Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit, Thank You for giving me the understanding and knowledge of Spiritual things through the discernment of Your Spirit. Thank You that through the Spirit, I also have the same mind and motivation that Christ has. Thank You for anointing me to do the things You did Jesus. I yield to You Holy Spirit, in thought, word and deed. May my life be a light in the darkness of this world so that others may see and receive the revelation that comes only by your Spirit. May You be glorified. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, in and through my life.   Amen