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(Philippians 2:5, and text): — Let the thought, the aim, the spirit of Christ be in you and be yours. All that He did, wills, approves, and blesses, even in the details of every-day life. Observe here the Christly spirit —

I. URGED AS THE SUPREME PATTERN OF SELF-RENUNCIATION. Mark —

1. Voluntary humiliation. "He emptied Himself," became obedient unto death." He who would study the grand pattern for the Christly life must begin in the valley of humiliation.

2. Absolute surrender for others — the perfection of self-sacrifice. "He came not to be ministered unto," &c.

3. Disinterestedness in benevolence — "Looking to the things of others."

4. The grand law of Christian discipleship. Though we may never be able to equal the incomparable humility, gentleness, and self-sacrifice of Christ, yet we may follow His example.

II. POSSESSED — AS THE DIVINEST INSPIRATION TO THE HIGHER LIFE. No man that would ascend to the loftiest moral excellence but must possess "the mind of Christ." By the indwelling of the Spirit of Christ there is imparted into us —

1. Strength to fight against sin and to achieve a victory.

2. Inspiration to spiritual power, beauty, excellence, and holiness.

3. Harmony of heart with the heart of God.

III. REALISED — AS THE CROWNING ENDOWMENT FOR THE NOBLEST SERVICE. "We have the mind of Christ." The conscious possession of the mind of Christ has led thousands to make the highest sacrifice and to render the noblest service — Luther to attempt the Reformation; Robert Raikes to establish the Sunday-schools; Charles of Bala to originate the British and Foreign Bible Society, &c. Lessons: The attainment is —

1. Possible.

2. Certain. "We have."

3. Let us all seek it afresh, for the glory of God, for the good of others, and our own happiness.

(J. Harries.)

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KJV: But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

WEB: But he who is spiritual discerns all things, and he himself is judged by no one.