“The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment: "For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:15-16, NIV)
In the early church the Apostle Paul, as a follower of Jesus the Christ, understood all too well the influence that the mind has on one's life. Undoubtedly, it matters a great deal how we as Christians think, since our thoughts give direction to our words and ultimately to our deeds. I would also offer that the way we think has a meaningful impact on the way each of us lives out our daily walk of Christian faith. King Solomon in Proverbs 23:7 wrote these words to demonstrate that effect: “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” (NKJV). In other words, what you and I think has a direct connection to how we act. “SELAH”! Pause - reflect – and just think on that!
In his letter to the people of Phillpi the Apostle Paul wrote: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2:5, KJV) Paul again continued this theme in Colossians when he affirmed to the Colossian believers: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:2, NIV). In these verses among a number of others the Apostle calls out for each of us as followers of Jesus Christ to focus and discipline our minds upon those things that make for a life focused and directed toward spiritually meaningful thought and action: “That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets.” (1 Corinthians 2:8-10, NLT) Yet, is this perception of grace outlined by Paul even possible? Are the attractive bright lights and distractions of SIN such a powerful force in our lives that we become “distracted” from the purpose God has called us to? “SELAH”! Pause - reflect – and just think on that!
When responding to the people of Rome the Apostle Paul states all humanity is guilty and accountable to God for sin and it is only through the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus that humanity can attain salvation. Key to his commentaries were these words: “Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.” (Romans 7:20-25, NLT)
Where do you stand in the “battle” against sin and sinfulness, as you seek to acquire and accept the mind of Christ? Do you stand at the head of the line armed with the whole armor of God, “A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.” (Eph 6:10, 11, 14…NLT) Or, are you struggling along the path of least resistance, the path toward sin and sinfulness; “When I tell righteous people that they will live, but then they sin, expecting their past righteousness to save them, then none of their righteous acts will be remembered. I will destroy them for their sins.” (Ezekiel 33:1, NLT). “SELAH”! Pause - reflect – and just think on that!
The apostle Paul said, “We have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16), but what are the implications of having that mindset? For myself, a sinner seeking my redemption through acquiring the mind of Christ, I firmly believe when contrasting the false wisdom of Satan and the very nature of sin, God clearly sets into view the very mind of Christ, as found in these brief reflections:
1. “We have the mind of Christ” when we’re able to see God the Father in all of His holiness. “We have the mind of Christ” when we understand and accept responsibility for our sin(s) as it truly breaks the heart of a righteous God. “We have the mind of the Savior” when we understand the penalty for our sin was paid in full by a divine, sinless substitute, Jesus the Christ. “We have the mind of Christ” when we feel the commitment of His spirit, as He obediently submitted Himself to the will of God, even unto death. “But, God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8, NIV)
2. If I have the mind of Christ, I can see and feel the beauty and grace of holiness as He saw it when He clothed me in the robes of His perfect righteousness. “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
3. Do I have that same passion to see lost people as Jesus saw them? If I have the mind of Christ, I will pour out my life in respectful sacrifice and believe and trust in Him. “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.” (1Timothy 1:15-16, NIV
Let us join together in offering our prayers for God’s insight and wisdom: “Hear my prayer, oh God. I give my mind to you; let me think the way Christ thinks. Help me make the choices the way you, Father God would choose. I want to do what YOU would guide me to do and feel as you would have me feel. Help me Father God, to obey YOUR will—even unto the sting of death!” "SELAH!" Pause - reflect – and just think on that!
Friends this awesome video message is titled “Giving Our Mind To Christ” by Zac Poonen. I’d encourage you to view parts 1-3.
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