Hello
Cturtle,
I do thank you for your entry, for it has brought me to a line of enquiry that always brings me joy. I hope you will bear with me, while I consider this. Years ago now, while attending a Bible study group, a verse from Romans came up for discussion, it was, Rom 8:13:-.
'For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die:
but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body,
ye shall live'.
Three of us spent time discussing this, and I can see their lovely faces in my mind now. Praise God!
The question was, 'How?' How do you 'mortify' the deeds of the body? What does 'mortify' mean? It means 'to put to death', yes? But How? After some consideration, we found the answer in Romans 6:7-13
' Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him,
that the body of sin might be destroyed,
that henceforth we should not serve sin.
For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Now if we be dead with Christ,
we believe that we shall also live with him:
Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more;
death hath no more dominion over him.
For in that He died, He died unto sin once:
but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God.
Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin,
but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body,
that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin:
but yield yourselves unto God,
as those that are alive from the dead,
and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.'
* I believe that the same thing applies to the mind, it is a matter of reckoning ourselves to be dead to 'the carnal mind' of the Old Nature (Rom. 8:7, Gen.6:5, Isa.55:8), and alive to the mind of the New Nature that we have by faith in Christ. The mind of the old nature cannot be improved, cannot be changed (Rom.8:7,8), but the mind of the New Nature needs no improvement (Romans 7:23,25). It serves the law of God (Rom.7:25), and delights in it (Rom. 7:22).
This is nothing new to you, Cturtle, I know, but it is good to share these things with one another, isn't it?
In Christ Jesus
Chris
Praise God!
Thank you for your reply Chris! I quite enjoyed reading it! And I do enjoy sharing with one another I agree.
In my thinking we as seasoned believers who are getting or have already gotten grounded in this truth, have to take it a step further for those who are just starting out or have not come across this truth before. Because it is so contrary to the way the world thinks.
I like the way the nlt puts Romans 12:2....."
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
And the way the amplified reads as well....." do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to it's external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideas and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
Striving towards the goal to attain or become one with the mind of Christ takes mind renewal to the ways of The Word. Our mind was not born again upon salvation and obtaining the mind of Christ is not automatic. Yes, it belongs to us because we are a Child of God, but, It's a progression, or a transformation that has to take place continually, from what I understand the Scriptures to say. Like you said we have to make a conscious decision or recon ourselves to this truth.
There are way to many influences in this fallen world that try to tempt us to allow our minds to be subject to its ways. And if we will decide to continually renew our minds to the Word, then we will have a mind that always agrees with God's Word. And then the more Word that is put into our spirits, will produce an abundance that will come out of our mouths, which is another vitally important thing for us as believers to live a successful Christian life, another important piece of the puzzle so to speak
Colossians 3:2 says....
And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.
Colossians 3:2 AMPC
http://bible.com/8/col.3.2.AMPC
1 Peter 1:13 says to gird up the loins of your mind. Which in my thoughts means to protect your thoughts and mind from junk (worldly thoughts and things) or wrong thoughts.
And if we keep our minds centered on Jesus, and His ways of doing and being right and what is above and according to Philippians 4:8 (For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].
Philippians 4:8 AMPC
http://bible.com/8/php.4.8.AMPC) then we will have a greater chance of keeping the mind of Christ as our own.
Many new believers or ones who have not grasped this concept will read what is written and say "ok, I agree with that or it bears witness with my spirit...but how do I put that into action in my life?" This is something I have come to understand only because it is where I have been many times. Someone will say just do this and my mind says "how".
And is the reason why I chose to go a little more in depth in my response.
God Bless you sister! Thanks for the opportunity to reply
