Seeking Jesus First - April 29, 2023
Personal transformation takes place as the mind is renewed. If we have received The Holy Spirit from Our Father in Heaven, we have the mind of Christ.
“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, NKJV)
This is the last verse in 1 Cor. 2. It is built on the rest of the chapter.
“But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:9–14, NKJV)
The Spirit of God gives us access to what God thinks. The Spirit of God reveals to us what God thinks. Holy Spirit in us and with us is, effectually, the mind of Christ.
“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, NKJV)
Through practice, we can think the thoughts of God. This is what it means to “renew the mind”. We practice thinking the thoughts of God by listening to and being led by The Spirit of God. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” (Romans 8:14, NKJV). “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,” (Philippians 2:5, NKJV).
Phil. 2:5 goes on to talk about how Jesus knew He was the son of God but humbled Himself and loved and served others even to the death of the cross. But the point of this verse that I want to emphasize is, “Let this mind be in you…”. We are the gatekeepers of our mind. We either set our mind on earthly fleshly things or on spiritual heavenly things. We are in charge of our “LET”.
Please don’t receive condemnation in this. Condemnation does not bring freedom but truth does. Let God’s word fill your mind. Let God’s love fill your heart. The Spirit and The Word are working together to lead us into Christ being revealed in us.
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.” (2 Corinthians 4:16, NKJV)
“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.” (John 8:31, NKJV) Some translations say, “If you continue in My word…”
“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (Galatians 6:9, NKJV)
When we make mistakes, especially when we seemingly make mistakes on purpose, we have a tendency to lose heart - or receive condemnation. The best thing to do when you fall, is to get up. The best thing about falling is getting up. Getting up may be the only good thing about falling. And the good news is, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9, NKJV)
“My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” (1 John 2:1, NKJV)
Since we have the mind of Christ, and we control the “LET”, let’s be transformed by the renewing of our minds.
“and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:23–24, NKJV)