May the Mind of Christ My Savior
May the mind of Christ my Savior
This hymn exemplifies Lutheran emphasis on sanctification as a lifelong process of conforming the believer's thoughts and actions to Christ's example. It reflects the theological conviction that the Christian life involves both forensic justification and progressive transformation in daily conduct.
History & Background
Written by Scottish hymn writer Katie Barclay Wilkinson in 1925, this modern hymn was first published in 1927. It became widely adopted in Protestant hymnals throughout the 20th century and remains a staple of contemporary Christian worship.
In the first four stanzas of this “catalog” hymn the believer asks, Scripture References “May the mind of Christ,” the “word of God,” the “peace of God,” st. 1= Phil. 2:5 and the “love ofJesus” live in my heart throughout each day, in st. 3 = Col. 3:15 “all I do and say.” Stanza 5 invokes the race-running imagery of st. 5-Heb. 12:1-2 Hebrews 12:1-2. The Psalter Hymnal Revision Committee omitted the final stanza for publication in the Psalter Hymnal And changed stanza 5 to the firstperson plural (“we/us”) to provide a corporate finale. The song was first published in the London children’s hymnbook Golden Bells (1925) and has gained popularity in recent hymnals. This text is attributed to Kate Barclay Wilkinson (b. England, 1859; d. Kensington, England, 1928). She wrote this text in 1912 in six stanzas, inspired by Philippians 2:5: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (KJV). Little is known about Wilkinson’s life: a member of the Church of England, she was involved in a ministry to girls in London and a participant in the Keswick Convention Movement. She was married to Frederick Barclay Wilkinson.
Hymnal Appearances
- Baptist Hymnal — 299
- Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 808
- Lutheran Book of Worship — 534
- Lutheran Service Book — 407
- Lift Up Your Hearts — 429
- Lutheran Worship — 389
- Psalter Hymnal — 291
- The Lutheran Hymnal — 395
- With One Voice — 656
Liturgical Use
Dismissal at close of worship; immediately following the sermon. Change the “me/my” of stanzas 1 through 4 to “you/your” for use as a sung blessing on a wedding couple, on new members of the church, for sending out missionaries, for ordination of church officers, and so on.
Bulletin Note
Written by Katie Barclay Wilkinson in 1925, this hymn reflects deep Lutheran conviction that Christian life involves both justification by grace and lifelong transformation of thought and conduct through the indwelling Spirit.
Preaching Connection
This hymn embodies the Lutheran understanding of sanctification as Spirit-wrought conformity to Christ: the Law shows us the impossible standard of his perfect mind, while the Gospel assures us that grace—not our striving—accomplishes this gradual transformation.
Stanza Arc
The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Law-Gospel dialectic: fear and shame (stanzas 1-2) yield to Christ's transformative love (stanza 3), resulting in joyful obedience (stanza 4)
Themes
Sanctification Christian character Conformity to Christ Spiritual growth Transformation of mind