mind of Christ – Fearless Living

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can have a mind that thinks and understands like Christ. The promise of a mind that can know and understand the things of God is a huge gift from God through our faith in Jesus.

In 1 Corinthians Paul is talking to the Corinthian believers about wisdom and how we can know and discern the things of God. “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2:14-16 With our natural mind we can’t know the things of God but with the indwelling Holy Spirit we can understand God and know Him. The spiritual person is not to be judged by the opinions of unbelievers who consider the things of God to be foolish. We are only held accountable to God, His standard of conduct is the only one we need consider. We are assured that the indwelt believer has the mind of Christ.

So what does that mean to you? As I pondered that thought, James 3:17 came to mind, “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere”. Having the mind of Christ would mean we have access to godly wisdom as described here. We could have pure thoughts, a spirit of peace in our words, gentle presentation of our thoughts to others, reasonable thoughts not prone to wander or be self-serving, thoughts filled with mercy, thoughts that produce good things for ourselves and others, thoughts without bias and thoughts that are always sincere not fake in any way. I know that having the mind of Christ is a growing process and does not happen overnight. As we draw near to God we are promised in James 4:8 that God will draw near to us. The closer we walk with Jesus the more we can think and act as He would. A mind that is governed by Jesus would be glorifying to God and produce a vibrant and whole life for us. Consider the words of James today as you go about your daily routine. What part of the mind of Christ, the wisdom that comes from above, are you seeing in your life? Where do you want to grow?

Promise: God promises that through faith we can know Him and have a mind that understands the things of God. Thank you Jesus!

Linda

Today’s scripture begins a section in Colossians titled “Putting on the New Self.” I know the titles are not in the original scriptures but they help us to center on the point the writer is making. Here are verses that follow that title. Colossians 3:1-4

Put On the New Self

3 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ²Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. ³For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Paul was seeking to reassure the Colossians Christians that their lives were changed forever when the came to know Jesus. If they had accepted Jesus as their savior, then He is their master and His kingdom is most important. Their perspectives on earthly things are not the most important any more. He encourages them to ‘set their minds’ on things above. This means to make a conscience choice to follow Jesus, to walk in His light and obey His commandments. Their lives as believers in Jesus are protected and sealed by the Holy Spirit. They have new lives in Christ! As an added bonus, Paul reminds them that they will see Jesus again in heaven and will appear with Him in glory. That hope of eternity with Jesus was a blessed hope they could know and cling to.

What does this mean to you and me? We too need to put off the worldly goals and attitudes that surround us and focus on living for Jesus. Keeping His commandment to love those around us with His love and walk in faith with Him each day. The idea of ‘setting our minds’ on things above is essential for us as believers too. Otherwise, we will get bogged down in the worries, turmoil and selfishness of our world. Cling to the hope of Jesus’ return and being with Him in glory. That is an image worth holding on to and waiting for.

Because Christ died on the cross and rose from the dead, I can have hope for living each day with His mindset which is heavenly and eternal, not worldly. Cling to hope and let Jesus clear your mind. Lean into Him and He will lead you. He will give you victory!

Linda