The epistle of Paul is the most "pastoral" of Paul speaking of his love to his congregation. Paul plays on the idea of the mind here.

What do we mean by the mind? We can speak of it as intellect, but Paul uses it in the attitude and inward disposition of mindset. Our attitude shapes and determines our actions and the way we walk in and through life! That inward attitude covers our live and one can look at us in our actions and see our attitude and mind set. The admonition comes to us to continue in the mind of Christ even though we cannot walk perfectly as Christ. (The mind of Christ was the glory of God always in His walk, obedience, and in His humility.) He said He had to be about His Father's business and He spoke of "Thy will be done. Not my will, but Thine." This was His mindset! He was in deepest humility even as He was tempted on the cross by the passersby.

But how can we have the mind of Christ? In a certain sense we already do as we are christians BUT the challenge is to stay in that mindset continually as we continue to go through this life. In the way of deepest humility He justified us in that mind set and as He has justified us we have His mindset within us and let us walk in that disposition through life and continue to do so with that mind of Christ in us...being citizens of that Kingdom above and not here below. That is the mind of Christ and also ours! The glory of that Heavenly Jerusalem! We set our minds and our walk on the heavenlies not being distracted here below. Read verses 3-5. Was Christ's mind on Himself? No. He poured Himself out, sacrificing Himself for us, humbling Himself for us, even de-throning Himself! Do we bicker among the saints or do we look on others and esteem them better than ourselves as Christ did? Is what we say and do about their personal welfare or our own?

The result is the Glory of Heaven! In the mind of Christ you will be taken above this doggy dog world and lifted above the greed, jealousy, and selfishness of this world. The mind of Christ is that Kingdom that lasts forever. That Kingdom that gives us total and complete peace and contentment! It will also give us and teach us to love one another more and more, preferring each other in that mind of Christ!