I am reminded of a situation in which Johnny is constantly picking at his brother, Joey, while Joey is trying to do his homework. Joey makes repeated calls to Mom that Johnny is troubling him. Finally, Mom calls out: "Johnny, come down here and let Joey be!" What is Mom saying to Johnny? To leave Joey alone so he can get done what he needs to do!

In the same fashion, we have within us a creation, a new mind, which 1 Corinthians 2:16 indicates is the "mind of Christ." Down through the years, we've thought we had to train the mind, school it, nurture it, keep it under control and, in general, cause it to mature. But now God is showing us that we can safely "let this mind be" or "leave it alone, let it do its thing." For it knows far better than the natural mind can ever comprehend how and what it should be, for it is completely in tune with the timing and plans of the Father, and it has no need that any man restrain it for it knows the heart of the Father (1 John 2:27).

This mind of Christ is indeed fully schooled for it has walked where man has walked and been tempted in all points like as we are (Heb 4:15, Heb 2:18). What a better place for it to reside than "in us" in order that it can "will and do of His good pleasure" (Phil 2:13). Yes brethren, it is in us that this mind of Christ is being manifested' it is in us that it is doing its thing; this mind, which was also in Christ Jesus.

Go with me, if you will, back through the pages of history as we see the life of Christ unfold and realize the full potential of this mind of which we speak. As we look over the path that man has come, we will see that indeed the walk of Christ parallels man's journey and thus we can use Christ as the pattern from which to set our expectations. In other words, what the Father did in the life of Jesus, we can expect that He will do in our lives, for "we be brethren" (Gen 13:8).

"Who being in the form of God" - In Genesis 1:27, we see God creating man in His own image and after his own likeness - made of spirit as God is. So in the beginning, both man and Christ were in the form of God.

" Thought it not robbery to be equal with God" - As a spirit being in the garden of Genesis, Adam has no conflict with being equal with God. As Genesis 1:31 says, "God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good."  We see an innocence of acceptance that as God laid it out, so it is. Likewise, Jesus did not view his equality with the Father as robbing God of His glory nor usurping His throne. Rather, there was just a calm following of the call within his heart to heed the voice of the Father.

"But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men" - In simple acquiescence to the will of the Father, we see all the glory of his equality with God, all the grandeur, the status and power, being wrapped up, being folded within the form of man. Just as in Genesis 2:7, we see God forming man of dust, a physical being, and pouring within it the spirit man that was created in the form of God.  Think for a moment if you will, of how different Adam must have felt then, how different Jesus must have felt, when looking out, their sight was limited to what the natural eye could see, their reach was limited to what the natural hand could touch. What a place to be in, where instead of being lord of all, they were being framed to serve.

"And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross" - This form, this lifestyle is foreign to the One who once was omnipresent, who once was omnipotent. Whereas Adam, in his innocence, yielded to the voice of the tempter thinking he was walking into life, Jesus, being omniscient, bowed his head in humility, knowing He was headed for death. He who once was the will of the Father, now finds himself with his own will.  He who once was the essence of the Father, now finds himself with his own life, his own being, his own form. And from this place of humility, he "learned obedience by the things which he suffered" (Heb 5:8).  Not learning "to obey", but learning that he had his own will yet choosing to be so in tune with the Father, that when he did what he wanted, he was doing the Father's will, for the Father's will had become his will.

Imagine, if you will, how it broke the Father's heart to grow the tree upon which he knew His Son would be crucified, but do it He must for Jesus had to walk the way of Adam in order that he could be our pattern. Indeed, for the One who is life, there is nothing lower than death. And how low has man gone in this time when as we look around, death seems to be in every place, from the youngest child on drugs to the oldest one behind bars. The jails are full, yet it seems that crime cannot be stemmed as it takes on new shapes and reaches new depths of depravity. How much worse can it get than to crucify an innocent man? An innocent man "who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth" (1 Peter 2:22). But he was crucified - the most agonizing way in which a man could die.

But we bless the Lord, the story does not come to an end there. For Philippians 2:9 goes on to say: "Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name". Hallelujah! The One who gave up all to do the will of the Father is once again exalted. True to the pattern, God is exalting man to be seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Yet this is what we balk at. While it is so easy to relate to the death of Christ and see ourselves hanging on the cross, and walking into death, we consider that we are too humble to be exalted in the Father. But the Father recognizes us as being one with Him for His glory will He not give to another (Isa 42:8). God is after showing us off to the world for we are His manifestation here on the earth. As it says in Eph 3:10, 11: "To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be (made) known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord."

From eternity, God desired to have a manifestation of Himself within the physical dimensions of the earth.  For that reason He created man - equal with Himself, yet clothed in a physical form that could relate on the physical plane. So the path man has taken down, did not take God by surprise. But as he raised Jesus from (out of) the dead, so He has raised man up and given him a name which is above anything else man has known so far (Rom 8:11). This name is but the nature that was long buried within the form of the servant, beginning to roll the casing back so that it shines forth for all to see.

"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" - when Jesus was transfigured on the mount, every knee bowed and every tongue had to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. For a brief moment in time, that outer veil was parted so that the light of the Father could be seen. Now, the veil has been rent, through and through, so that the covering of flesh can no longer keep the precious ointment of the Father locked up within its recesses. For that which was humbled, now hears the command of the Father to come forth, and come forth it must for every tongue must confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Not for our own glory, but to the glory of God the Father.

The heights to which the Father is exalting us, is not to glorify ourselves, for the glory of the terrestrial is limited. But the glory of the celestial is unlimited and fadeth not away. A manifestation of the Father - thereto are we called. Not to rule in innocence that can be easily tempted and swayed. But as Jesus was tempted in all points like as we are, yet without sin, so we can walk in high places in Him and not be swayed by the attractions of the physical realm, nor be held in its bondage. God intended for us to rule the earth, not come under its limitations. So He formed Himself into man a second time, in Christ Jesus, to show His full purpose for us.

His mind is what is resident within us. A mind that knows the full score, that sees the full picture, that can see the end from the beginning, that is unlimited by even death. We have the mind of Christ! Now let it alone, let it do its thing.