Friday, March 29, 2013
Monday, March 4, 2013
The Mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5-8)
Thinking that exalts self over God and others is defined never more perfectly than in the Devil's epitaph;
"I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High." (Isaiah 14:13-14)
Selfishness, egotism, arrogance and prejudice all come from pride. It is this pride that brings destruction to relationships, first with God and secondly with our fellow man. It was this pride that damned the Devil and destroyed his relationship with God and the same that destroyed mans fellowship with God and each other.
Jesus Christ is the only solution to this problem of prideful self absorbed thinking as He is the only example of perfect selfless love and humility. Scripture demands we are to take upon ourselves the same thinking and through doing so that we can have perfect unity.
"Fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others."
(Philippians 2:2-4)
This mindset of selflessness is the mind of Christ. If God has given us faith we must now take on this mindset of humility;
"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross."
(Philippians 2:5-8)
Fellowship with God and each other has come to us as a result of the Gospel, but only to the extent we have taken upon ourselves the mind of Christ. There is no room for pride in God's kingdom because only humble hearts can accept God's gift of amazing grace. As God has shown us His grace we are to live out this grace in Christ centered community.
"For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith." (Romans 12:3)
"Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion." (Romans 12:15-16)
~Selah
"I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation On the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High." (Isaiah 14:13-14)
Selfishness, egotism, arrogance and prejudice all come from pride. It is this pride that brings destruction to relationships, first with God and secondly with our fellow man. It was this pride that damned the Devil and destroyed his relationship with God and the same that destroyed mans fellowship with God and each other.
Jesus Christ is the only solution to this problem of prideful self absorbed thinking as He is the only example of perfect selfless love and humility. Scripture demands we are to take upon ourselves the same thinking and through doing so that we can have perfect unity.
"Fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others."
(Philippians 2:2-4)
This mindset of selflessness is the mind of Christ. If God has given us faith we must now take on this mindset of humility;
"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross."
(Philippians 2:5-8)
Fellowship with God and each other has come to us as a result of the Gospel, but only to the extent we have taken upon ourselves the mind of Christ. There is no room for pride in God's kingdom because only humble hearts can accept God's gift of amazing grace. As God has shown us His grace we are to live out this grace in Christ centered community.
"For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith." (Romans 12:3)
"Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion." (Romans 12:15-16)
~Selah
Friday, March 1, 2013
Transformed not conformed (Romans 12:2)
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
Mental development involves mimicking and conforming to the culture we live in. Conforming to that cultures way of thinking is easy and comfortable for us. In some ways it can be helpful for us to know and relate with our culture, but conforming to our cultures way of thinking can also destroy us. The admonition of scripture is that we are called to think differently than the world by having our minds renewed.
This transformation from one way of thinking to an entirely different way is a challenge for us. If our mind has been renewed with truth we now stand in opposition to worldly thinking. Conflicting with our culture is always more difficult than conforming to it, but this is the natural result of a transformed life.
Renewed minds know the will of God and this reality is evidenced by a completely changed lifestyle. God’s will is perfect and good so if we are living according to this knowledge our lives will validate His goodness. In order for that to happen we must be set free from worldly thinking. Once the mind has been renewed and the life has been transformed our lives will be acceptable to God.
~Selah
Mental development involves mimicking and conforming to the culture we live in. Conforming to that cultures way of thinking is easy and comfortable for us. In some ways it can be helpful for us to know and relate with our culture, but conforming to our cultures way of thinking can also destroy us. The admonition of scripture is that we are called to think differently than the world by having our minds renewed.
This transformation from one way of thinking to an entirely different way is a challenge for us. If our mind has been renewed with truth we now stand in opposition to worldly thinking. Conflicting with our culture is always more difficult than conforming to it, but this is the natural result of a transformed life.
Renewed minds know the will of God and this reality is evidenced by a completely changed lifestyle. God’s will is perfect and good so if we are living according to this knowledge our lives will validate His goodness. In order for that to happen we must be set free from worldly thinking. Once the mind has been renewed and the life has been transformed our lives will be acceptable to God.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1)
~Selah
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