How is it we are still experiencing problems in our thinking after we have been born again? We are made up of body, soul and spirit. It is our spirit that has been renewed at salvation but our mind, contained in our soul, is being renewed daily as we still have the old mind set. Our minds have to be transformed by the word of God. This can only come as we submit to Him. As always with our daily walk, humility is the key.
Romans 12:1-3 has the answer, this is true worship. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect will of God. For I say, through the grace given me, to every man among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, according as God has dealt to every man the measure of faith.”
Verse 2 highlights “….be transformed by the renewing of your minds…” Here is that paradigm shift again. We are instructed to “judge no man after the flesh”, but we make judgements of people all the time because our minds need to be renewed to see people through God’s eyes. The desire of God’s heart is to transform us into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. A renewed mind in Christ does not conform to the world’s way of thinking, but sees others as forgiven and loves unconditionally, in spite of folks’ faults and failures.
I remember reading these poignant words on a greeting card once: “Thank you for looking over my broken fence and smelling the flowers.”
Corrie Ten Boom wrote that God buries our sins at the bottom of the deepest sea and erects a warning sign: NO FISHING! We should apply these words not only to ourselves, but to others.
Hebrews 8:8-13 describes the new covenant our Lord God has made with us. In verse 12 we find this amazing statement: “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and iniquities I will remember no more.” Do we see the depth of what that means? God no longer judges us for our sin because at Calvary Jesus took upon Himself the judgement of God for the sin of the whole world. Under the old covenant, God did remember sins, but the sin problem, under the new covenant, was dealt with once and for all: Hebrews 10: 9-10 “….He takes away the first that He may establish the second. by which we are sanctified through the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” See also Hebrews 10:14 “For by one offering He has perfected forever those that are sanctified.”
So, the sin problem was dealt with at Calvary. God no longer deals with me over my sin, but He will deal with me over my pride, which is the cause of sin. Arthur would always say that sin is the cobweb, pride is the spider. There is no point in dusting down cobwebs unless you catch the spider! God resists the proud. 1 Peter 5:5-6 confirms: “…..be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God…” God’s word is very clear, humbling is our responsibility. If I do not humble when the Lord has clearly spoken to me, then if I continue to resist His promptings, He will humiliate me as pride comes before a fall. Proverbs 16:5 declares “Everyone that is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord.” Strong words!….but this does not have to be my portion in life. Jesus has made a way, a more excellent way. He is the Door through which the new covenant was established at Calvary, through His shed blood. His finished work has made available to every one of us the mysteries and lavish treasures of His kingdom, the kingdom of God.
Everything has been made available on God’s side. It is my responsibility to walk in His provision, humbly present myself to have my old mind set renewed, as I meet my daily circumstances in the School of the Spirit.
Ephesians 3: 11 to end of chapter declares our eternal purpose in Jesus Christ our Lord. Hallelujah! What an inheritance has been imputed to us. Will I humble myself to receive the impartation?…..”to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge and be filled with all the fullness of God!(v19) We are encouraged in v20:Now unto Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” The vision is glorious: that we all come to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:13) Our minds renewed in Him!
