Skip to main content

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

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Mercy and Compassion

Jude 22-23 Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear--hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. This is something I have struggles with, loving those who frustrate me.  How can we be merciful to those who are "corrupt" without being judgmental?  It is definitely not our place to judge one another, it is our place to love one another.  Sometimes loving the people who are rude or cruel is the hardest part of being a Christian.  My humanity would like to judge people for their behaviors and choices and lash out at them.  I believe we are only able to show true mercy and compassion for others when we accept these for ourselves from Jesus and then He lives them through us.  Allowing God to change our hearts in order that Jesus' mercy and compassion shine through is a journey.  It's not always easy.  On those difficult days, I remain quiet and ask God to love on me, so I...
2 comments
Read more

For Mom

1 Corinthians 13:4-5 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. This is a post for Mom.  She is the embodiment of these words written by Paul.  When I think of Mom and who God created her to be, this is it.  Each of these phrases describes her perfectly.  Mom learned very early on in her walk with Jesus to let Him have His way in her life.  Who she is and has been to people is the testament to that.  Her patience with a super naughty 2-year old, namely me, rivaled that of Job.  I don't ever remember her getting angry.  Quite frankly, Mom and the word angry in the same sentence is laughable.  She never bragged or boasted about us (even though we know she's proud of us) because that wouldn't be showing love to her listener.  Mom was never rude, she was always serving others, and she was never jud...
2 comments
Read more

Do Not Give Up

Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. This is the verse I have needed at the start of this school year.  I have been literally tired from my job.  I do not like that when people ask me how I'm doing or how my job is going, my response is I love it, but it's tiring.  This has been a journey these three years.  I have learned so many job related things, but more importantly, God has changed my heart and taught me some Spirit related nuggets as well.  This verse is one of them.  Sometimes we grow weary as we fight the battle.  This verse reminds us that there is a harvest coming if we will only 'keep on keepin' on'.  I have prayed many times for God's strength to come to me and carry me through.  This has been a tiresome battle, but there are so many good things that I have already reaped.  This verse is my reminder to hang in there.  God is on the mov...
2 comments
Read more