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The Mind of Christ

Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Conform - to be in accordance or harmony with.  Transform - to change the nature of.  Paul says to not live in accordance to this world, but have our very nature changed by the renewing of our minds.  I'm pondering the renewing of my mind.  How do I begin to do such a thing.  Look back at verse one for the answer. Romans 12:1 "Therefore, I urge you, brothers in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God -- this is your spiritual act of worship."  Sacrifice - surrender something prized or desirable. Surrender - to give oneself up.  So let's put it all together.  Offering my body as a living sacrifice to God means giving up my own pride in thinking I can change my nature by training myself to think like God.  In some ways it would be so much easier for me to just follow a list of dos and don'ts and keep myself accountable.  However, in 1 Corinthians 2:11 Paul gives us a clear picture of why we cannot be in charge of our own mind renewal.  "For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him?  In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God."  If my goal is to think like God, I need to have a personal relationship with Jesus so that my thoughts can become more like His thoughts.  With Jesus living in me, I can let the Spirit of God renew my mind so that I may be transformed into the perfect creation God intended me to be.  It's a journey!  "'For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?' But we have the mind of Christ." 1 Corinthians 2:16

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