Have We the Mind of Christ?
By George B. Thompson
“Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, counted it not a prize to be on an equality with God, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross.” Phil. 2: 5-8, R. V. What amazing love and condescension is revealed in these words! No human mind can fathom it. It will take all the endless cycles of eternity, with minds emancipated from the thraldom of sin, to measure the tremendous risk and infinite sacrifice made in rescuing man from the terrible woe into which transgression hurled him. He was the Son, and above every angel in the unnumbered host who worshiped around the burning throne. Cherubim and seraphim adored him, and obeyed with joy his commandments. From this atmosphere of purity, and the companionship of holy and sinless beings, he stepped down into an atmosphere tainted with sin, where curses and the most base ingratitude surrounded him on every side. He was mocked, despised, hated, and spit upon. He took upon him human nature, not as Adam stood in his primeval innocence in Eden, but as man stood after deteriorating in physical strength and moral worth for four thousand years. To strike the shackles of sin from mankind, he humiliated himself to the depths of human woe, and drank to the dregs the cup of suffering. He had the highest place, but he did not count this the prize to be retained. He voluntarily relinquished it; he emptied himself; he gave up all. Love compelled him. Man was in distress; he had missed his way; he was lost, and the Redeemer could not rest. Could you rest some stormy night in your comfortable home, amid all the luxuries of wealth, surrounded with every comfort and pleasure, if you knew your child was out in the chilling blast, away from home, wandering hither and thither, lost, and crying for help? To remain within the most splendid mansion would be unspeakable torture. All else would be forgotten, and you would fly to the rescue of your darling child. So with Jesus. He loved man, and he could not let him perish. He must go to his relief, and save him at all hazards. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” When once this condition is reached among the remnant, the loud cry of the message will be heard, and the proclamations of the Saviour's speedy coming finished. No soul who has the mind of Christ can be at ease in Zion when there are those around him who are unwarned and unprepared for the end. In this time when the sand in the great hour-glass of time has almost run out, and but a remnant of time remains in which to work, there should be no idlers in the vineyard. There is opportunity for all to labor; for a restless11tide is carrying mankind over the precipice of destruction. Somewhere I read of a man who, in a dream, was taken to heaven and shown all the beauties of the paradise of God. After viewing the matchless splendor of the celestial abode of the righteous, his guide took him where he could behold another scene. He showed him a mighty stream filled with human beings who were being carried over a raging cataract to destruction. The guide then said: “Will you remain here and enjoy all this bliss, or return yonder and help to save those who are being carried to ruin?” Jesus did not remain in the paradise of bliss, though he might have done so. He left all, and went to save those in distress. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” We should ever regard it as a great privilege to engage in the work of saving souls. “Angels were so interested for man's salvation that there could be found among them those who would yield their glory and give their life for perishing man. ‘But,’ said my accompanying angel, ‘that would avail nothing.’ The transgression was so great that an angel's life would not pay the debt. Nothing but the death and intercession of God's Son would pay the debt, and save lost man from hopeless sorrow and misery.”—Early Writings, page 40, Supplement. The Macedonian cry is heard from all parts of the world, from souls who are crying for the bread of life. Shall we let them perish? or shall we feed them? Should we not give ourselves and what little paltry treasures we may have to this noble work ere the opportunity is gone forever? Shall we not willingly do the work which angels would gladly do?