THE VERY MIND OF CHRIST - PART 4

SATURDAY 06 MAY 2023

Reference: 1 Corinthians 2:16 Amplified Bible (AMP) "For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND and PURPOSES OF THE LORD, SO AS TO INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ [to be guided by His thoughts and purposes]."

For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND and PURPOSES OF THE LORD, SO AS TO INSTRUCT HIM? I have come to realise that God sometimes asks us questions, although He already knows the answer. And this has been His habit since the beginning. To instantiate this, He said to Adam, "Who told you that you were naked?" "Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?"(Genesis 3:11 NLT). The same thing happened in Job 38, where He asked Job multiple questions throughout the entire chapter, yet this is an all-knowing God; very omniscient. As a witty remark, I believe that we are yet to add this point to His existing attributes. Praise God!

How do we activate the mind of Christ as God's own children? Apostle Paul tells us how in Romans 8:5-7 (NLT) - "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be."

Here Paul is making us aware of the consequence of being carnally minded or being spiritually minded. The human mind governed by the flesh results in death, but the human mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. When I read and cogitated on this truth for several minutes, I concluded that indeed, the mind is powerful. It has the power, not just to perceive, but to kill or to sustain life and peace. Think about it again: The human mind governed by the flesh results in death. In other words, to be carnally minded is a deadly awareness, but to be spiritually minded is another type of awareness, full of glorious peace and eternal benefits. Each level of awareness has a role to play in shaping the human behaviour, thoughts and perception but then, one leads to spiritual death and the other, life and peace.

To be carnally minded or spiritually minded is not a theory or abstract idea. They are practical, and both types of mind serve as a storehouse of ideas. The first is based on carnal ideas due to the flesh and worldly perceptions; the second is influenced by spiritual ideas and realities due to its focus on Christ. How do we focus the mind on Christ? Romans 12:2 (NIV) reads, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will."

The mind governed by the Spirit is progressively transformed to experience spiritual growth because, as it gets renewed by the Word of God and His Spirit, it lines up with the mind of Christ. When the mind's thoughts and all other mental operations are led or governed by the Spirit, it hosts a continued existence that bears the mind of Christ. Such mind is not victimized by unfavourable circumstances, just like Jesus was never intimidated or overwhelmed by any circumstance, but rather He demonstrated absolute dominion over all.

Furthermore, the mind of Christ gives us an understanding of what is eternal, as well as a profound sense of oneness with the Spirit of God (1 Corinthians 6:17 NIV). And it translates heavenly realities into actionable thoughts, while transmitting the Lord Jesus Christ as the abiding embodiment of those thoughts. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Romans 8:5-8; 1 Peter 1:13; Romans 12:2; 2 Timothy 1:7.

Exuberant Declaration: I belong to Christ Jesus and I'm so obsessed with His mind and purpose as I continually yield my mind and spirit to the Word, and submit to the leading and guidance of the Spirit. Hallelujah!