United in Attitude: Taking On the Mind of Christ
United in Attitude Around Jesus’ Example
Paul does not just say, “Be humble.” He shows us a picture. He points to Jesus. Philippians 2:5–8 tells us how Jesus thought, felt, and chose. This is the heart we need if we want to be united in attitude.
The Bible says:
“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,
who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped,
but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.
Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
(Philippians 2:5–8, NASB)
Paul tells us to take on the same “attitude” Jesus had. This means we try to think like Him. We see life the way He sees it.
Jesus Is God, Yet He Humbled Himself
First, Paul says that Jesus existed “in the form of God.” This means Jesus is fully God. John 1:1 also says, “the Word was God.” Jesus did not start as a man and then become God. He has always been God.
Even so, He did not grab onto “equality with God” for His own gain. He did not come to earth to show off. He came to save.
Paul says He “emptied Himself.” Jesus did not stop being God. He laid down His high place, left heaven’s glory and took on a low place here.
He took “the form of a bond-servant.” A bond-servant is like a willing slave. This person serves by choice. Jesus chose to serve. Luke 22:27 shows Him saying He came as one who serves.
He became a real man. He got tired, felt hunger, and He wept (John 11:35). But He never sinned (Hebrews 4:15).
Obedient to Death on a Cross
Paul then says Jesus “humbled Himself.” He obeyed the Father all the way to death. Not just any death. Death on a cross.
The cross was a shameful way to die. It was very painful. It was for criminals. Yet Jesus never sinned. He took our place. Galatians 3:13 says He took the curse we deserved.
Jesus chose this path. In John 10:18, He says no one takes His life from Him, but that He lays it down Himself. He did this because He loves the Father (John 14:31). He also did this because He loves us (Ephesians 5:2).
When we look at His cross, we see how far love will go. This picture shows us what humble obedience looks like.
Becoming a People United in Attitude
Paul does not want us to just look and say, “Wow.” He wants us to copy this heart. He says, “Have this attitude in yourselves.” God wants the Church to be united in attitude around the mind of Christ.
Our minds change as we read God’s Word and pray. Romans 12:2 tells us to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind.” As we watch Jesus in the Gospels, our thoughts shift.
We start to ask new questions. Instead of “What do I want?” we ask, “What does Jesus want?” Instead of “How can I be first?” we ask, “How can I serve?” Instead of “How can I avoid pain?” we ask, “How can I obey?”
When many people in a church think this way, the church becomes strong. Leaders do not push for power. Members do not fight for their own way. They listen, give and forgive. This is how a church grows united in attitude.
God Lifts Up the Humble Son
Philippians 2 does not stop at the cross. The next verses show how God the Father answered the Son’s humble life.
“For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
(Philippians 2:9–11, NASB)
Because Jesus went low, the Father lifted Him high. He raised Him from the dead. He put Him in the highest place. One day, every person will bow to Jesus. Some will bow with joy. Some will bow with fear. But all will bow.
This shows us a big truth: God rewards humble hearts. James 4:6 says He gives grace to the humble. James 4:10 says if we humble ourselves, He will lift us up.
Walking the Cross-Shaped Road Today
The path Jesus walked shows us our path too. We will not die on a cross for sin. Only He could do that. But we can follow His way of life.
We follow Him when we forgive instead of getting even, and when we tell the truth, even if it costs us.
Also, we follow Him when we share the gospel, even when people laugh. We follow Him when we say “no” to sin, even when it feels hard. We follow Him when we take the low place so someone else can be blessed.
This road may feel hard. The world says, “Think of yourself.” Jesus says, “Come after Me” (Luke 9:23). He also gives His Spirit to help us. We never walk alone.
As we do this together, our church becomes a picture of Jesus. People will see His heart in our lives. They will see that He is real and kind and strong.
At the end, we will stand with all of God’s people. We will say, with joy, “Jesus Christ is Lord.” Until that day, we can ask God to shape our minds, soften our hearts, and make us truly united in attitude.
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