THE MIND OF CHRIST

"For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows 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 freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no man. For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE SHOULD INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ"  (1 Cor 2:11-16, NASB).

Devotion 1 of 28

INTRODUCTION

    The thrust of salvation involves our conformity to the Divine image Rom 8:29-30; 2 Cor 3:18; Col 3:10-; Heb 3:14). Salvation is, in fact, the restoration of the image of God within man, that was marred by the entrance of sin. As it is written, "and (you) have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him" (Col 3:10, NASB).

      That conformity involves our works, but it goes much deeper than that. Further, the life we live in Christ involves personal discipline, but it is not primarily a life of discipline. We are not living according to an intellectual pattern, outlined for us in the Word of God. That sort of life is similar to keeping a person alive by machinery. The lungs and heart may function, but the individual is not productive, responsive, or beneficial.

Mechanical Life?

    For many, living for Christ is much like being hooked up to a supposed spiritual life-support system. They follow a prescribed set of rules, and maintain identity with, what they conceive to be, the right group of people. However, they have no vibrant relationship with the Prince of life. They think they are alive, but they cannot be productive. They have no fruit, nor do they labor together with God (1 Cor 3:9).                       

An Area of Controversy

    Theologically, men have haggled about the nature of spiritual life for centuries. Some are unwilling to acknowledge that an actual identity with God is achieved in Christ Jesus. They choose to believe that, armed with a logical mind and good study habits, they can appropriate an understanding of eternal things. Of course, they are wrong in the fullest and most exacting sense of the word. We certainly do not despise logical minds--but they can crucify Christ as well as sit at His feet. Good study habits can be an asset, but they can also be a liability if not properly focused. They can help you to become a Moslem as well as a disciple of Christ.

    The very fact that all astute thinkers are not believers should tell us something. The mind must be brought under the control of the renewed heart to become an asset. Any and every mind that is dominated by the natural order is a condemned mind. The blessing of God cannot come upon it, and it cannot receive what God has to say.

PRAYER POINT: Father, in Jesus name, help me to glorify You in the way I think.

-- Tomorrow: THE MINDFULNESS OF GOD --