The Abiding Blueprint: Building a Christlike Mindset

We’ve spent several weeks as a church walking through John 15 and learning what it means to abide in Christ—to stay connected to Him in a deep, ongoing relationship. But Jesus doesn’t just want us to remain close to Him; He wants that relationship to produce something in our lives. He wants us to thrive.

In our continuing series, Abide and Thrive, we recently turned to Philippians 2:5–8, where the Apostle Paul gives us a powerful picture of what a thriving Christian life looks like—not just in outward actions, but in our thinking. Before we can live like Christ, we have to think like Christ.

Think of it like this: before any building goes up, you need a blueprint. Without one, you get crooked walls, shaky foundations, and costly mistakes. The same is true in our spiritual lives. God has given us a blueprint in the mind of Christ.

Philippians 2:5 says, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” That’s not a suggestion—it’s a command. We’re told to adopt Jesus’ mindset and let it shape everything about us: our thoughts, our attitudes, and our actions.

But what exactly is the mind of Christ? Paul doesn’t leave us guessing. In the following verses, he lays out three defining pillars of Christ’s mindset: humility, servanthood, and obedience.

The Mind of Christ Is Humble

Jesus was and is fully God. He had every right to demand glory, worship, and honor. But He didn’t cling to those rights. Philippians 2:6–7 tells us He “made Himself of no reputation.” He set aside His status and took on human flesh. He became one of us. Why? Because true humility isn’t about thinking less of yourself—it’s about thinking of yourself less.

In a world that says, “promote yourself,” Jesus showed us that the way up is down. He veiled His divinity, wrapped Himself in swaddling clothes, and came to serve rather than be served.

Key Truth: The mind of Christ is not self-exalting, but self-emptying.

The Mind of Christ Is Focused on Serving

Verse 7 says Jesus “took upon Him the form of a servant.” This wasn’t a temporary act—it was His identity. Jesus didn’t just preach servanthood; He lived it. From healing the sick to washing His disciples’ feet, everything He did was for others.

If we’re truly abiding in Christ, servanthood won’t feel like a chore—it will become a natural expression of who we are.

Key Truth: The mind of Christ serves others, not self-interest.

The Mind of Christ Submits in Obedience

Verse 8 says Jesus “became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Obedience for Jesus wasn’t convenient. It was costly. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed, “Not my will, but thine be done.” He submitted fully to the Father’s plan, even when it meant suffering, separation, and death.

Why? Because obedience is the fruit of true abiding. You cannot claim to be abiding in Christ and then ignore what He says. Obedience is not about ease; it’s about trust.

Key Truth: The mind of Christ fully submits to the will of the Father.

What’s Shaping Your Mind?

Every day, we choose what kind of mindset we’ll live with. Romans 8 describes two types of thinking: the carnal mind, which leads to death, and the spiritual mind, which leads to life and peace.

The carnal mind is self-centered. It leads to broken relationships, selfish decisions, and spiritual decay. But the spiritual mind—shaped by the Word of God—produces love, joy, peace, and the fruit of the Spirit.

Jesus said in John 15:7, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you…” That’s the key. His words must shape our mindset. That means saturating our hearts with Scripture, praying with a humble spirit, and surrounding ourselves with godly influence.

A Word to Parents in an Entitled World

We live in a culture that celebrates comfort, convenience, and self. Entitlement is everywhere—from kids who expect rewards for minimal effort to adults who feel the world owes them something.

Parents, if we want to raise children who thrive spiritually, we must teach them the mindset of Christ. Teach them that:

Serving others is Christlike.
Gratitude replaces entitlement.
Obedience is better than recognition.
The question is not “What do I get?” but “How can I help?”

Let your home be a training ground for Christlike thinking.

Don’t Wait—Serve Now

One of the greatest needs in churches today is not more programs—it’s more people with a servant’s heart. God is looking for people who will say, “Here am I. Send me.” You don’t need to wait for a sign or a stirring. Just start. As the book of Haggai reminds us, sometimes God stirs us after we step forward in obedience.

Maybe God’s calling you to serve in an area that’s outside your comfort zone. Maybe it’s children’s ministry. Maybe it’s visiting the sick. Maybe it’s helping behind the scenes. Whatever it is, give it to God and trust Him to use it.

Following the Blueprint

A thriving Christian life doesn’t happen by accident. It starts with the mind of Christ. It’s a life marked by humility, service, and obedience. It’s not always easy—but it’s always worth it.

There are no “cheap crosses” in the Christian life. Jesus gave everything for us. The least we can do is give our lives back to Him.

So today, will you choose to follow the blueprint?

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.