Young Christian Leaders' Alliance

R. Josiah Magnuson

One of the most important points to proper leadership is being able to develop and communicate a vision. For believers, a vision has been set for us by our great Leader, Jesus Christ. We are called to bring others into His kingdom and serve and teach them in His Way. As we seek to set a godly example for those around us, the Bible tells us we need to have the mind of Christ.

We need to have a correct capability to make decisions, a correct standard for taking action, and a correct motivation for our work. When we cultivate purity in these three areas, we are cultivating the vision that will unite our fellow-believers in “likemindedness.” (Phil. 2:1-2)

Philippians 1:9-11 reads: “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; that ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.”

The mind of Christ requires a spirit of love. But love cannot exist alone; love must be defined in “knowledge and all judgment.” Judgment means making decisions. Not only must we know the truth, we must make choices based on that truth. Scripture provides at least three specific guidelines for proper judgment. We are never to measure others in a way in which we are unwilling to measure ourselves. (Matt. 7:1-5) We are never to judge situations only according to how they immediately appear. (John 7:24) And, we are never to judge anything “before the time.” (I Cor. 4:5) Christ told us in Matthew 7:16, regarding false prophets, “Ye shall know them by their fruits.” Often fruits take time to ripen. Thus, we can see that God expects us to have a consistent standard, to look at both sides of an issue carefully, and to take time and show patience to others.

The mind of Christ also requires “approving things that are excellent.” We need to seek out education, outreach, and even entertainment according to the highest quality of purity. We are children of the King, and we are called to represent Him. Especially as we grow as leaders, others will be looking to us to “set the bar” in Godly living. We have a responsibility to be the best we can be. We should examine ourselves constantly to maintain adherence to Scripture. Philippians 4:8-9 provides us with a much-needed compass to direct the focus of our thoughts. "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you."

Finally, the mind of Christ requires that we “be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ.” We need to be people of integrity. How can we have a continued right motivation in the face of the constant dishonesty and fleshly desires of the world? The verse itself provides the answer: “the day of Christ.” We are enabled to have Godly motivation when we maintain watchfulness for Christ’s coming. Because this world is quickly passing away, any attempt to invest our lives in it will bring sorry returns. However, we can place our treasures in heaven “where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.” (Matt. 6:20) Christ told us, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matt. 5:8 )  God wants us to seek to see Him. When our focus is placed beyond this life, our motivation will be from beyond this life as well.

A united purpose creates a united cause. While “a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways” (James 1:8 ), like-mindedness in Christ creates stability and efficacy. When we learn and integrate the principles of God’s Word, and in doing so purify our hearts, we serve our fellow-believers by providing a standard of excellence around which we can all unite. This fact is possible because the focus is then placed not on us as individuals, but on our great Leader, Jesus Christ. We can all be of one mind when we each set our eyes on Him.