“Jesus did not come to earth with outward pomp and display. . . . He clothed his divinity with humanity, and yet he did not require that any one should minister unto him. He came to labor for others. He ever strove to do men good; he provided for their necessities. Among his disciples he was in every sense a care-taker, a burden-bearer. He shared their poverty. He practiced self-denial on their account. He went before them to smooth the more difficult places, and . . . [ultimately] He paid his life as the price for our redemption. ST July 6, 1896, par. 6
“The lessons given to the disciples of Christ, are full of significance, and present most profitable instruction for us who believe. We are not to act after the manner, precept, or example of men who are in authority in earthly positions, but to minister to others, to be servants to all, . . . The kingdom of God is established on different principles than are the kingdoms of this world. There is to be no rank among the servants of Christ. Christ says, ‘All ye are brethren.’ The rich, the poor, the learned, the unlearned, the bond, and the free are equally God’s heritage, and he who is most exalted in the sight of God is he who has most genuine humility, the deepest sense of his unworthiness, the greatest realization of his dependence upon God. Those who truly love God, truly love their fellow-men. They constantly seek to do good to all those who are connected with them.” ST July 6, 1896, par. 7
“The true missionary spirit is the spirit of Christ. . . . No man liveth to himself, and ‘if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His.'” 5T 385
“And when he had called the people to him with his disciples also, he said to them, Whoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever will save his life shall lose it; but whoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’, the same shall save it” (Mark 8:34, 35 KJV).
Keenly tied to salvation is the denying of self out of love for the Messiah and those for whom He gave His life. That is the mind of Christ. Beyond measure was the denial of self in the mind of Christ, who thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but made himself of no reputation. and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross (Philippians 2:6-8).
“Even on the cross He forgot His own sufferings in His deep love for those whom He came to save. . . . He was repulsed, mocked, derided, while engaged in the great work which He came to earth to do. . . . If we would have the true missionary spirit we must be imbued with the love of Christ; we must look to the
Author and Finisher of our faith, study His character, cultivate His spirit of meekness and humility, and walk in His footsteps.” 5T 385
He who said, “I am the way, the truth and the life” is indeed the helmet of salvation. For to have Christ is to have life (1 John 5:12). That is salvation in the New Testament. The Old Testament says it this way: “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation” (Isaiah 12:2; Exodus 15:2 KJV).
“Life, eternal life, is to be kept before every soul, according to his ability to understand. It is to be shown that the affliction of the body may be permitted in order to insure the salvation of the soul.” EGW 16LtMs, Lt122, 1901, par 13
“To love God with all the heart, to be a partaker with Christ in His humiliation and suffering, means more than many understand. The atonement of Christ is the great central truth around which cluster all the truths which pertain to the great work of redemption. The mind of man is to blend with the mind of Christ. This union sanctifies the understanding, giving the thoughts clearness and force.” EGW 16LtMs, Lt122, 1901, par 14
“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 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” (Phil 2:9-11 KJV).
Remember, “he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted” (Matthew 23:11,12).
If we have the mind of Christ, in love for Him and others, we will suffer. But “If we suffer we shall also reign with him” (2 Timothy 2:12).
Therefore, let the mind of Christ be in you. Then, stand still and see the salvation of the LORD.