Philippians 2:5: Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.

Toby has pointed out this morning how much Paul emphasizes the effect of the gospel and the Spirit on our minds. We are to strive together with one mind, to cultivate humility of mind, set our minds on heavenly things - on the exalted heavenly King Jesus - and not on earthly things. Throughout the letter, Paul urges us to remember, consider, think, and he assures us that the peace of God will guard our minds.

Toby has also pointed out how central gratitude and joy are in the Christian life. Philippians is, famously, the epistle of joy. Though Paul was imprisoned when he wrote the epistle, he says again and again that Christians are to rejoice in every circumstance. Rejoice, and again I say, rejoice, is Paul’s theme.

And Toby has indicated that these two themes in Philippians are intimately related. Renewed minds are joyful minds; the Christian mind is a grateful mind. We can’t think straight unless our thoughts are infused with joy. Our minds are darkened, and divided, unless we are filled with thanksgiving. Gratitude is an epistemological virtue.

This is a counter-cultural stance. The modern mind is a critical mind, not a grateful mind. The modern mind looks askance at the past, clears the ground of all the clutter of inherited tradition, and thinks everything new. The modern mind is a skeptical mind. The modern mind doesn’t rejoice. It glowers.

Among many other things, baptism signifies that we are not starting new all over again. Baptism is, among many other things, a marker of an inheritance. Circumcision marked out the seed of Abraham, but in the new covenant those who share the faith of Jesus are Abraham’s children, and this membership in Abraham’s family is marked by baptism. When we baptize Beck and Hannah today, we are marking them as heirs of all the promises given to Abraham, promises made good in Jesus, who is the Yes of God.

As you remind your children of their baptism throughout the coming years, remind them that this means that they are heirs of a great inheritance. They don’t have to do anything to be heirs. Like all inheritances, this inheritance is theirs by the accident, the providential accident, of birth and rebirth in the waters of baptism. They simply receive their inheritance, live out of their inheritance, rejoice in their inheritance. As you remind them of their baptisms, you are continually reminding them that the only appropriate response to what God has given is a life of thanksgiving, continual thanksgiving.

This is at the center of your task of educating and discipling your children. We want to teach our children a Christian “worldview” and want our children to think about everything in biblical categories. But teaching them to have right opinions and right ideas is not enough. Their baptism marks them out as privileged children, and at the center of your training is training them in joy and gratitude for that privilege. Teach them that this is one of blessings that they are to count, reckon, store up in remembrance.

They are to have the mind of Christ. As Paul says, Jesus’ is the mind of humility, but it is also the mind of joy.