Renewal of the Mind New Series - Part IX

The more God reveals to us the Truth of His Word, the more humble we become.  The more we are taken to the "dust."  Yet truly, when this happens - at the same time, we are filled with great hope in God - and the ONLY hope in God for Him to do His mighty work in us.  This engenders TRUE faith - that we are looking to HIM and HIM alone for the salvation of God, to be worked out through us.

Otherwise, self is still striving, doing, being in charge.  True salvation is no one is in charge, but the Lord Jesus in us as His members, vessels, and the Father's children.  The more we grow in Him, we do recognize when self is present - usurping the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus AND our utter dependence on Him - daily.  What self am I talking about?

It is not meant to be hard, difficult - like I have to strive again even to attain this.   Now for a long time, I did strive, even when I heard truths of His freedom.  Yet by the Lord's enablement,  I came to know it is more of a deep, abiding recognition that we have been GIVEN new life in Christ Jesus - not that we are now still trying to attain this. 

We do live and walk NOW by the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus - a law that we ourselves do not have to maintain, but simply by faith each day recognize and rejoice that HE lives in us.  Else why would God say, "The just shall live by faith?"  Or, "The life I NOW live, I live by faith?"

This is renewal of the mind.  True renewal of the mind is ALL about knowing JESUS CHRIST in us, our Hope of Glory.  We do grow in spirit and in truth.  We do go from faith to faith, glory to glory in Him.  We do grow in the Word of Life - and the more we do, it is true, we know we have died and that it is Jesus Christ and the life that He is, Who lives and walks and talks in this mortal jar.

But it is still us - us in Him and Him in us.  Yet a real us.  A true us.  The self in Christ Jesus.  For years I heard about dying to self, denying self, etc. and we say that as Christians, but I kept asking - what does this truly mean?  How do you die to self and live self at the same time?

Oh...this is why the Spirit of God is the One who gives spiritual wisdom and understanding.  My "pea picking" little brain, as I've said before, can't understand this with a natural mind.  Yet praise the Lord, God gives spiritual understanding.  And when He does, it's pure joy.  Joy to know and understand there really is SOMEONE who lives in us WHOSE life and glory are the way of the walk. 

What power, peace, rest and joy found in the Spirit of Jesus Christ dwelling in us.  This is what He truly wants us to KNOW.  A knowing that is true - not something I just say, but a true knowing.

Our maintenance, if we want to call it this, is to trust, have faith, and abide in Him.  He already said He will not leave us nor forsake us.  I guarantee that I am one of the ones who gave Him the  ride of His life as I struggled in my Christian walk.  Just like the "Salt and Pepper" shaker in the amusement park I rode once with my cousin.  When it was finished, I threw up.  "Ain't doing that no more!"

Well, don't we all throw up spiritually after we "figure" out we're not doing so hot trying to do this thing called Christianity all on our own?   And the way we're doing it?

Surely all of us have given the Lord a good side show and more entertainment than Hollywood ever thought about.  And it's all meant for us to FINALLY come to Him and say, "How do you really walk in the Spirit - how do you really live the Christian life here on this planet?"

The flesh would rather be a nice, good Christian FOR God instead of a yielded vessel of God.   Yielding was never meant to be scary.  We are not going to an execution by God like we're being punished.  We are simply being relieved of flesh's effort to be holy and live and walk in the life of His Son.

And yes, we are appropriating His crucifixion for our own flesh, but oh His resurrection - we absolutely get to appropriate His resurrection Life and Glory.

The way of God's salvation is death and life.  The flesh is, and has been crucified by the cross in faith and appropriation - then the Spirit of God causes this to be a reality in our walks.  But we also glory in Christ WHO is the Resurrection and the Life.  By the same Holy Spirit WHO mortifies the deeds of the body, He ALSO begins and does the work of glory - raising us up in the newness of Life in Christ Jesus. 

If Christ really is our life for ALL eternity and we are part of Him, why would we want to cling to this old world that is passing away (that He says in His Word)?  Or even an old man?  We ARE to cling to the NEW, to HIM - as Colossians says, "Hold fast to the HEAD!"

Despite feelings of flesh, we ALL can take the huge leap of faith and say to the Lord, "Take me God I'm yours - do that complete work in me - willing and doing of your good pleasure! Do it, God - I am willing to by faith.  Cause me to take my place with you in faith at the cross of Jesus in crucifixion and yes, willing to be buried, yet raised up by YOU! I am willing to allow YOU to teach me the true things of God and therefore my mind will be true, full of YOUR life, peace, and love."

There truly is NO other way.  This really is the WAY of the Lord for every child of His.  And for sin and (old) self to cease in the child of God, it means that Christ Himself is the ONE in our hearts WHO is the HOW of the Christian walk here on this planet.

Let's take a wonderful dose of Romans 6, 7, and 8 today and see just how much God will rejoice our hearts with wonderful TRUTH of being alive in Christ Jesus.

Until next time,

Sue Gaither