PLEASE RENEW YOUR MIND

Colossians 3:1-4, Romans 12:2, Matthew 12:35, 22:36-37, 2 Corinthians 4:16 

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.  Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. ³ For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory Col 3:1-4

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. Romans12:2

 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart^[a] brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. Matthew 12:35

 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. Matthew 22:36-37

 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 2 Cor 4:16 (niv)

COMMENT

Renewing of the mind is a process and a long one – a lifetime activity to be undertaken by all serious Christians. It is undertaken by individuals in an effort to become mature disciples of Jesus Christ.

Immediately after salvation, the mind must be renewed. The natural mind is hostile to God as the bible says, and therefore must be forced to adjust to the written word of God. Cooperation is required from the believer if he has to grow up in faith. The word of God must become a daily song to be meditated always. As Dr Creflo Dollar often says, “if  you know how to worry, then you know how to meditate”. The bible urges that we meditate on the word of God. Not yoga meditation, as taught by the Eastern Religions that do the opposite of mind renewal.

Renewal of the mind, must be given the prominence it requires in the life of a born again Christian, in order to achieve the desired goal. Remember, the word “Christian” means one who is becoming the same as Christ.

Renewing of the mind, is like the training of a sports person who intends to win in a major sports competition. He trains daily and even employs a coach. It appears as life and death matter. His appropriate attitude makes winning even easier. Paul has more than once used athletics to illustrate this Christian essential practice.

Mind renewal is second to salvation in the life of a Christian. While salvation is achieved through faith in the unmerited favour (grace) by God, and no effort by man, mind renewal must be done by a Christian himself. God has only provided the written word and occasionally communicates a rhema word.

A Christian is expected to be transformed by the word of God which must be read and put into practice. One must think differently and not always be influenced by what they hear in the news in the media. Extreme and inciting information such as pornography and hate materials must be avoided at any cost if our mind is to be renewed. The bible says that we have to fix our eyes on things above not things on the earth.

Likewise, we have to know and understand that we died with Christ when he died on the cross and our lives are hidden with Christ in God.( Colossians 3:3) That means we are completely transformed spiritually and therefore we should operate at a level higher than ordinary people.

Let it be noted here and now, that those willing to renew their mind will achieve success in life. They are the ones who are waiting for the Lord and will fly high like eagles and will not get tired. They will prosper in all things and be in health, just as their soul prospers.(3 John 2)