Developing the Mind of Christ (#2)
- Gary Merriman
- Feb 7
- 8 min read
Updated: Mar 9
My brother-in-law texted me the other day and said, “I haven’t seen any meandering thoughts lately.” Truth be told, I have not felt like I have any thoughts worth expressing publicly. Oh, I have had a lot of thoughts, and they have certainly meandered all over the place, but most are not fit for consumption. Then, while I was driving to a job, I had this thought: “Perhaps this is the best time for me to write more on the mind of Christ. Not because I have it all figured out, nor because everything is going great. On the contrary, perhaps this is the best time because I am struggling to have the mind of Christ. Struggles, frustrations, disappointments, a heaviness that hangs over me—those are all things that plague me currently, and I suspect they affect lots of people at various times. And aren’t these the times when we most need the mind of Christ?”
So, can we have the mind of Christ even in these types of situations? I believe so, and I am struggling to do just that - to try to have Christ's mindset amid chaos, wrongdoings, and misunderstandings. I want to have the mind of Christ when it is not easy.
Now, this blog or whatever you call it is named Meandering Thoughts, and in this case, I want to make sure and emphasize that I am not addressing the source of gaining the mind of Christ in order of priority or importance. Ideally, I would focus first on the Scriptures, the source of special revelation about the redemptive plan of God culminating in the work of His Son, Jesus the Christ. To be sure, everything I will mention is helpful and profitable because it is founded in and on the Scriptures, but there is no clear logical order in my discussion other than what practices I am currently focusing on. I come from a Wesleyan theological tradition, and so reason, tradition, and experience all impact our understanding of Scripture, our theology, and our experience of life. Everything I discuss will in some way be related to these areas but always founded in the reliable, true, and faultless Word of God.
I have found myself recently engaging in a few practices that have helped me greatly: Breathing Prayers, Worship Music, and the Creeds.
Breathing Prayers
These are little prayers that help me remember the scriptures in an effortless way, which are easily memorable. I am terrible at memorizing scriptures, but I have been able to memorize a few of these breath prayers, which I try to say throughout the day to get my mind back in focus. I don't know about you, but I tend to dwell on all kinds of things. My mind runs over, and over, and over. If something is going on with me and another person, before I have ever had an actual conversation with that person, I've argued every angle, every possibility, every pro and con in my mind. This isn't good or healthy. Instead, I need to think in terms of Christ's mind, how Christ lived, what Christ says, and to set my mind on things above. These breath prayers help me to do that; they help me to still my mind, to stop the endless cycle running in my head, and to put it in a proper perspective: “Lord, Jesus the Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner” (Lk 18:13). “Lord, I love you with all my heart, with all my soul, and all my strength” (Dt 6:5). “Lord, I give you thanks, I glorify your name” (1 Chron 16:8-10). The constant repetition throughout the day of these simple, easy breath prayers helps me get my mind back in the right place.
Worship
Another thing I've found that has been so helpful is worship music. Something about music stills the soul, encourages it, makes it uplifted, and sets our mind in the right place. To listen to music that sets my heart to worshiping God is very helpful in setting the mind on Christ. This is not to say that all modern worship music is valuable or profitable, yet I am encouraged by the full range of songs available.
I have created a worship list on YouTube called Modern Theological Songs which covers a wide range of eras (CityAlight – His Glory and My Good). Not all of the songs are modern (some are), but several are old hymns that have been set to modern instruments and rhythms (I especially like the ones with the Celtic sound – In Christ Alone). I like the songs that have deep theological content (This is My Father’s World), but I also like songs that express the human lament and hope (much like David in the Psalms). In the latter category, people like Benjamin Williams Hastings (That’s the Thing About Praise) and Tauren Wells and Elevation Worship (Joy in the Morning) encourage me to lift my eyes up and praise. Worship music can be a wonderful guide that lifts our hearts in adoration, trust, gratitude, and joy. Listen carefully, choose wisely, and create a theologically sound set of songs that you can play. Also, be on the lookout for new artist and groups (I really like CityAlight) that create beautiful and worshipful music. They are out there. New doesn’t mean bad.
The Creeds
I have found more comfort in the ancient creeds than in a host of modern sermons. Recently, my wife and I went through a transition out of pastoral ministry. This transition has allowed us to travel and visit diverse kinds of churches. We have visited Foursquare, Calvary Chapel, Lutheran, Baptist, Assemblies of God, and Christian Missionary Alliance so far. I have enjoyed certain aspects of all these different denominations and been challenged by many of the sermons. One thing I have noticed is that no sermon to date has given a broad overview of redemptive history. I don’t blame the pastors, nor do I think it is wrong that this hasn’t happened (it could have happened at some other point in the past), but this is why I so greatly appreciate the creeds (in particular the Nicene Creed). Old doesn’t mean bad. On the contrary, there is great comfort in understanding that I stand and live within a community (both living and dead) who have placed their faith in the God who saves. The Creeds are statements of belief (based on the scriptures) and they, like the sermons in Acts (2:14-36; 7:1-53), or Joseph reflecting on the terrible events and course of his life (Gen 50:19-21), reflect on the redeeming work of God through history and the pinnacle of that work in Jesus. Isn’t that what Paul is telling the Romans to do when he tells them to renew their mind (Rm 12:1-2)? Isn’t he telling them to reflect on God’s activity in Romans 1-11? If we are to have the mind of Christ, then we must see him, his life, death, resurrection, and ascension in light of God’s saving activity in our lives and for this world. Jesus had this self-understanding, and we must learn to see life through this lens. The Nicene Creed helps us see this 20,000-foot view over all human history. It helps us remember the long scarlet thread and God’s constant activity in the world He created. The creeds help me remember that while things seem like chaos to me, God is sovereignly at work, and it is not chaos to him. To me, they bring comfort. This is how Jesus viewed his life. While Jesus died under Pontus Pilot, He understood that Pilot had no authority but that which was given by God (Jn 19:11). Jesus understood the immediate concerns in light of the big picture of God’s activity.
These three areas help me keep coming back to center; they help me think rightly, they help me develop my mind and renew it. They are not everything, but for now, they are helpful to me, and if you would like to incorporate any of these practices, I have included links to a couple of songs and resources.
Blessings
Resources
Breathing Prayers
The Jesus Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner – Lk 18:13
Lord, I love you with all my heart, soul, and strength – Deuteronomy 6:5
Lord, I give you thanks, I glorify your name – 1 Chronicles 16:8-10
Lord, I seek you – 2 Chronicles 15:2
Blessed be the name of the Lord – Job 1:21
Lord, in your presence, I am full of joy – Psalm 16:11
Lord, you are my rock and redeemer – Psalm 19:14
Lord, restore my soul – Psalm 23:1
Shepherd, guide me – Psalm 23:1
Lord, have mercy on me – Psalm 51:1
Oh God, create in me a clean heart – Psalm 51:10
God, you are my refuge and fortress, I trust in you – Psalm 91:2
I am yours, save me – Psalm 119:94
Lord, guide my steps – Psalm 119:133
I am fearfully and wonderfully made - Psalm 139:14
Lord, I trust in you with all my heart – Proverbs 3:5
Prince of Peace, fill me – Isaiah 9:6
Lord, you have called me, I am yours – Isaiah 43:1
Lord, there is none like you – Isaiah 45: 5-7
Healer, restore me – Jeremiah 30:17
Your love never ceases; your mercies are new each morning – Lamentations 3:22-23
I return to you, Lord, I give you my heart – Joel 2:13
Even through trials, I will rejoice in you, Lord – Habakkuk 3:19
Jesus, let your light shine through me – Matthew 5:16
Your kingdom come, your will be done – Matthew 6:10
Bread of Life, sustain me – John 6:35
Light of the World, illuminate my path – John 8:12
I abide in your love; I am full of joy – John 15:9-11
Holy Spirit, fill me anew. – Acts 2:4
Abba, Father – Romans 8:15
Nothing can separate me from your love – Romans 8:38-39
I am not my own; I was bought with a price – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
God of all comfort, comfort me – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Lord, I walk by faith and not by sight – 2 Corinthians 5:7
Your grace is sufficient; Your power is perfect in my weakness – Corinthians 12:9
I am forgiven – Ephesians 1:7
The peace of Christ rules my heart – Colossians 3:15
You are King of kings, and Lord of lords – 1 Timothy 6:15
Lord, you are faithful, I hold fast to hope – Hebrews 10:23
Let my trials produce a steadfast spirit – James 1:3
Lord, I repent, thank you for your patience – 2 Peter 3:9
Nicene Creed
I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come.
Amen.
Modern Theological Songs Playlist
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