Renewal of the Mind - New Series

I am thoroughly convinced after all these years, I've been "sniffing" on the right path of understanding the Lord about some things.  A great clue I have is this growing peace within my heart and God is certainly granting confirmation.

I'm using my own life and experience as my "visual aid."  I can see what God has been saying to me and teaching my heart more and more.  It all fits with what I had been seeking  and seeking all these years.

So what is it?

What it means to absolutely have the mind renewed according to God's Truth and Great Salvation.

Paul, the Apostle mentions this of course in Romans, but in Hebrews he tells us not to neglect so great a salvation.

Well in my experience I sometimes, after hearing certain teaching that left you feeling condemned, would think somewhere in the back of my mind, "What's so great about it?"

And then later, as I discovered some rich things in the Word of God, the Word of Life, I would think, "Who took the 'good news' out of the Good News?"

Recently, in my devotions, I focused on renewal of the mind, but  I am sure that I want to return to it as part of my devotions for a little while.  I think it is the most important part now of the Christian's life in this time and age we live in.  For in my lifetime, I've never seen so much turmoil and lack of peace among believers to include stress, anger, lack of faith in the heart, bitings, etc. (yes bitings - being bitten by believers).  Why?

So...I've gotten a bigger shovel out.  (Gary has too and we're shoveling together!) The shovel that digs deeper and wider, for God's Truth - not semi-truth or casual learning, but the kind of Truth that Jesus said Himself, "Sets us FREEEEEEEEEEE!"

We all know intuitively that we are free indeed in Him, but walking free is another matter.  God's great salvation for sure, includes NO religion and NO fleshly participation as the source.  

God's true salvation is spirit to Spirit by His Word of Truth, and the way He teaches us will affect us deeply.  

The result is an outward manifestation through our flesh/bodies/actions, but it does begin with the inner man.  All maturity, strength in the Lord, renewal of the mind is truly by and through the inner man that was made alive solely by the Son of God WHO now lives there.

There are people in my life, in the past, who truly had planted a good seed of His Truth in my heart - they focused on Christ living in and through us, how thoughts could be strongholds in the mind/brain - and why it was necessary to take ALL thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ.  I know I've had to work on this!

One of the things that we might have to come to terms with in our lives is that we were lazier than we realized when it came to possessing with all our hearts, this GREAT SALVATION of our Lord.

But it's NEVER TOO LATE to apprehend with all the saints, the height, the length, the depth, and the width, and to KNOW the love of God which surpasses knowledge.  Joshua and Caleb were old when they "entered" the promised land, but were able to lay hold of their inheritance!  Why?  BECAUSE they kept believing God and going on, on, on, on, and on - they never stopped!

It is a choice and decision of the heart, one that God Himself backs up totally!  And what motivates us is the FACT that we are going to SEE Jesus, our Savior, Lord and King.  If we keep this REALITY in the midst of our hearts at all times, we are motivated to KNOW Him.

Okay, so this is an introduction so to speak to sharing once again on the precious opportunity to sincerely renew our minds in Christ Jesus.  And I am asking the Lord to guide my words as I share what I believe He has taught me and continues to teach me about this.  I am going for 100 percent FULL TRANSFORMATION as He has promised in His word, which I will close with:

"And do not be conformed to this world:  but be transformed, by the renewal of your mind, that you may PROVE what is good, and acceptable, and the perfect will of God."     

Romans 12:2.

"Thank you God, that as long as we have breath in these mortal jars of clay, we have a glorious opportunity to KNOW, really KNOW and spiritually understand the unfathomable riches of Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen."

What color is your shovel?

Sue Gaither