THE MIND OF CHRIST --Tomorrow:
"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 10 of 28
Paul once provided an extensive explanation of his unusual fervency for Christ. In his elucidation, he declared he had turned away from all flesh advantages in order that he might obtain Jesus. He first described his fleshly advantages--what was found in his natural constitution and attainments. He makes clear he is, in fact, speaking of the flesh. "For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in THE FLESH, though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in THE FLESH, I more so" (Phil 3:3-4). He then gives his fleshly pedigree.
" . . . circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless" (3:5-6). Keep in mind that Israel is the only fleshly nation ever recognized by God--the only body of people in the flesh with whom He identified Himself. They were told they were "a holy people to the LORD your God; the LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth" (Deut 7:6). The things Paul cites as advantages all pertained to that national distinction. His circumcision, lineage, and attainment within the First Covenant were his distinctions. None of them had any weight in the Gentile world, or any nation other than Israel. What is more, this was high as flesh could rise. If flesh can ever be made acceptable to God, Paul's flesh will surely qualify.
Yet, Paul saw these as no advantages at all. In fact, he counted such things "loss for Christ." He threw them all into the garbage can, aspiring to things outside the domain of flesh. Unfortunately, many are digging in that garbage can, trying to salvage what Paul classed as "dung" (3:9). Now, in Romans 7:18, the Apostle steps back and assesses the totality of the flesh--his flesh, which was the most lofty of all flesh. The epitaph he hangs over the flesh is "NOTHING GOOD" dwells there.
The principle of lawlessness, or the "law of sin," resides in our natural persons--or "flesh." Elsewhere, this is referred to as our "members," or earthly constitution (Rom 7:23). That warring principle does NOT reside in our renewed, or born again part. How poignantly this is stated by the Apostle. "But I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind, and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members . . . So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin" (Rom 7:23,25).
Paul's "mind" described the regenerated part. It was, in fact, "the mind of Christ," which is the ONLY valid mind in the Kingdom of God. That is where he served God, for the remaining part of him was incapable of serving the Lord. It had to be buffeted and brought into subjection (1 Cor 9:27).
Paul spoke for every regenerated person when he declared, "for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh" (Phil 3:3). Even though that deals a devastating blow to much of what calls itself "Christian," it remains the truth, and is to be embraced. How about you? Are you able to see that in you, that is in your flesh, "dwells no good thing?"
PRAYER POINT: Father, Your word confirms my experience. I know that nothing good dwells in my flesh. In Jesus' name, I ask for grace to crucify the flesh, together with its affections and lusts--all of them.