Recovered In Christ

Thursday, January 1, 2014

There is a vast difference between wanting the thoughts of Christ versus having the mind of Christ.

So many of my fellow believers want some kind of thought transplant from God, without having any real desire or understanding for having a renewed, regenerated, Self controlled, Christ centered mind. They want visions of the future (which they mistake for prophecy), they want unlimited wisdom, impeccable knowledge, they want all these things and more and yet have no real interest in sharing the plan, purpose and perspective of Jesus Christ…which is what it really means to have the mind of Christ.

They want the best new wine in the house poured into old wine skins.

It is not some church member telling you about a vision they had of some grandiose position that God is going to elevate you to. (And how comes no one at these churches ever has a “vision” or “word” for you that you’re going to be an usher? Or janitor? Why do these visions always seem to miraculously revolve around you becoming a preacher….set before a crowd of thousands….or a healer….or a prophet?? Or some other ridiculously ego pumping, spotlight whoring position?)

The Holy Spirt’s job is not to bring glory to you. Can you grasp that? Can you understand that He can see through your egotistical, love of self driven motives and ambitions for power and prestige? Can you understand that He will not support that. That He has a different purpose.

The Holy Spirit is not your personal divinator. He is not inspiring and influencing people to titliate you with clues and snippets of your future splendid debut! That my friends, is Satan’s plan not God’s. The Holy Spirit is to indwell and infuse you. He will transform and renew your mind that you may share in understanding and participating in God’s plan.

If you are not careful and continuously willing to be transformed and renewed you may not notice the subtle snare of your desire to “serve” God becoming an eclipse to the actual gospel of Jesus Christ!

“Having the mind of Christ means we understand God’s plan in the world—to bring glory to Himself, restore creation to its original splendor, and provide salvation for sinners. It means we identify with Christ’s purpose “to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10). It means we share Jesus’ perspective of humility and obedience (Philippians 2:5-8), compassion (Matthew 9:36), and prayerful dependence on God (Luke 5:16).

In the verses leading up to 1 Corinthians 2:16, we note some truths concerning the mind of Christ:

1) The mind of Christ stands in sharp contrast to the wisdom of man (verses 5-6).

2) The mind of Christ involves wisdom from God, once hidden but now revealed (verse 7).

3) The mind of Christ is given to believers through the Spirit of God (verses 10-12).

4) The mind of Christ cannot be understood by those without the Spirit (verse 14).

5) The mind of Christ gives believers discernment in spiritual matters (verse 15).

In order to have the mind of Christ, one must first have saving faith in Christ (John 1:12; 1 John 5:12). After salvation, the believer lives a life under God’s influence. The Holy Spirit indwells and enlightens the believer, infusing him with wisdom—the mind of Christ. The believer bears a responsibility to yield to the Spirit’s leading (Ephesians 4:30) and to allow the Spirit to transform and renew his mind (Romans 12:1-2)” G.Q.Org