Understanding Christ's Heart and Motivations for Imitation
Understanding Christ's Heart and Motivations for Imitation
Christ's heart and motivations are central to Christian theology, serving as the foundation for the believer's imitation of Him. The apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of understanding Christ's mindset in Philippians 2:5, encouraging believers to "let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" [7]. This mindset is characterized by humility, love, and self-denial, as seen in Christ's willingness to humble Himself and become obedient to the point of death on the cross (Philippians 2:8) [3].
The biblical basis for imitating Christ is rooted in passages such as 1 Corinthians 11:1, where Paul writes, "You are to imitate me, just as I imitate Christ" [6]. This call to imitation is not limited to moral behavior but encompasses a deep understanding of Christ's heart and motivations. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, Christ set an example of self-denial, resignation, and love, demonstrating these qualities throughout His ministry [2, 4, 5].
Christ's humiliation, as described in Philippians 2:8 and other passages, is a key aspect of His heart and motivations. This humiliation involved His willingness to take on human form, suffer, and die on the cross [3]. The Eastern Orthodox tradition, as represented by John Chrysostom, emphasizes the importance of imitating Christ's humility and love, noting that Paul "proposes Christ as the great pattern and exemplar of humility" [9].
The Nonconformist/Puritan tradition, as seen in Matthew Henry's commentary on Philippians 2:1, highlights the connection between Christ's example and the believer's duty to love one another. Henry notes that the "law of Christ's kingdom, the lesson of his school, the livery of his family" is to love one another, and that this love is demonstrated through like-mindedness and lowly-mindedness [10].
In understanding Christ's heart and motivations, believers are encouraged to cultivate a deep and personal relationship with Him. As Colossians 2:2 states, the goal is to attain "a personal knowledge of the sacred secret of God,—Christ" [1]. This knowledge is not merely intellectual but involves a heartfelt understanding of Christ's love and motivations, enabling believers to imitate Him more effectively.
The various Christian traditions represented in the sources emphasize the importance of imitating Christ's heart and motivations. Whether through self-denial, resignation, or love, believers are called to follow Christ's example, as demonstrated in His life, death, and resurrection. As the Baptist/Reformed tradition notes, Christ's example is a proof that patient endurance under undeserved sufferings is acceptable with God (1 Peter 2:21) [8].
Sources
- Colossians “Colossians 2:2 (Rotherham) — In order that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, even unto all the riches of the full assurance of their understanding, unto a personal knowledge of the sacred secret of God,—Christ:”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Humiliation of Christ — (Phil. 2:8), seen in (1) his birth (Gal. 4:4; Luke 2:7; John 1:46; Heb. 2:9), (2) his circumstances, (3) his reputation (Isa. 53; Matt. 26:59, 67; Ps. 22:6; Matt. 26:68), (4) his soul (Ps. 22:1; Matt. 4:1-11; Luke 22:44; Heb. 2:17, 18; 4:15), (5) his death (Luke 23; John 19; Mark 15:24, 25), (6) and his burial (Isa. 53:9; Matt. 27:57, 58, 60). His humiliation was necessary (1) to execute the purpose of God (Acts 2:23, 24; Ps. 40:6-8), (2) fulfil the Old Testament types and prophecies, (3) satisfy the law in the room of the guilty (Isa. 53; Heb”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resignation — Christ set and example of -- Mt 26:39-44; Joh 12:27; 18:11. Commanded -- Ps 37:7; 46:10. Should be exhibited in Submission to the will of God. -- 2Sa 15:26; Ps 42:5,11; Mt 6:10. Submission to the sovereignty of God in his purposes. -- Ro 9:20,21. The prospect of death. -- Ac 21:13; 2Co 4:16-5:1. Loss of goods. -- Job 1:15,16,21. Loss of children. -- Job 1:18,19,21. Chastisements. -- Heb 12:9. Bodily suffering. -- Job 2:8-10. The wicked are devoid of -- Pr 19:3. Exhortation to -- Ps 37:1-11. Motives to God's greatness. -- Ps 46:10. God's love. -- Heb 12:”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Love to Christ — Exhibited by God -- Mt 17:5; Joh 5:20. Exhibited by saints -- 1Pe 1:8. His personal excellence is deserving of -- Song 5:9-16. His love to us a motive to -- 2Co 5:14. Manifested in Seeking him. -- Song 3:2. Obeying him. -- Joh 14:15,21,23. Ministering to him. -- Mt 27:55; 25:40. Preferring him to all others. -- Mt 10:37. Taking up the cross for Him. -- Mt 10:38. A characteristic of saints -- Song 1:4. An evidence of adoption -- Joh 8:42. Should be Sincere. -- Eph 6:24. With the soul. -- Song 1:7. In proportion to our mercies. -- Lu 7:47. Supreme. -- ”
- I Corinthians “I Corinthians 11:1 (BSB) — You are to imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.”
- Philippians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Philippians 2:5: Let this mind be in you,.... The Arabic version renders it, "let that humility be perceived in you". The apostle proposes Christ as the great pattern and exemplar of humility; and instances in his assumption of human nature, and in his subjection to all that meanness, and death itself, even the death of the cross in it; and which he mentions with this view, to engage the saints to lowliness of mind, in imitation of him; to show forth the same temper and disposition of mind in their practice, which also was in Christ Jesus; or as the Syriac version, "think ye the”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 2:21: Christ's example a proof that patient endurance under undeserved sufferings is acceptable with God. hereunto--to the patient endurance of unmerited suffering (Pe1 3:9). Christ is an example to servants, even as He was once in "the form of a servant." called--with a heavenly calling, though slaves. for us--His dying for us is the highest exemplification of "doing well" (Pe1 2:20). Ye must patiently suffer, being innocent, as Christ also innocently suffered (not for Himself, but for us). The oldest manuscripts for "us . . . us," read, "you . . . f”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on 1 & 2 Corinthians: a great one.’ For the difference between me and you is not so great as between Christ and me: and yet I have imitated Him.” On the other hand, writing to the Ephesians, he interposes no mention of himself, but leads them all straight to the one point, “Be ye imitators of God,” is his word. ( Ephes. v. 1 .) But in this place, since his discourse was addressed to weak persons, he puts himself in by the way. And besides, too, he signifies that it is possible even thus to imitate Christ. For he who copies the perfect impression of the seal, copies th”
- Philippians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Philippians 2:1: The apostle proceeds in this chapter where he left off in the last, with further exhortations to Christian duties. He presses them largely to like-mindedness and lowly-mindedness, in conformity to the example of the Lord Jesus, the great pattern of humility and love. Here we may observe, I. The great gospel precept passed upon us; that is, to love one another. This is the law of Christ's kingdom, the lesson of his school, the livery of his family. This he represents (Phi 2:2) by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. We are ”