As You Think, So You Are

There are these shows on television that are quite popular and have been for several years now. Their theme is simple, select some deserving family, send them on a vacation, tear out or tear down their house and give them a new one in the same place. Its the Extreme Makeover mentality and it is wildly popular.

One of the things that make it so popular is the concept that the people benefiting from the makeover, have no responsibility at all. They need only make themselves scarce, get out of the way for a while and when they return, voila! the work is all done. They move into their new digs and resume their life already in progress.

Unfortunately, I believe many Christians come to God with that same mentality. That He is going to do all the work and they can just get on with their lives albeit in a new house. Now certainly there are aspects of our relationship with God that work in just this manner; Salvation is chief among them. But there are numerous other aspects of the abiding relationship that require work from both sides.

Consider the sanctification process, that is, the gradual and relentless bringing your own mind into alignment with God's will and plan for your life. It is this process that drives out sinful behavior and effects a change in this life that is visible and encouraging to others. We know that this process is aided and abetted by the indwelling Holy Spirit, given by God for this very purpose. We know that a central component of the effectiveness of this transformative process is the renewing of your mind.

Now this is not something that is forced upon us but instead requires not only our consent but our willful cooperation, persistent practice and humble obedience. I make this assertion because of what I read in Romans 12:2a which teaches "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Not that the verb is 'be', not allow. This indicates a present active tense and that requires our direct involvement.

I would like to draw your attention to one aspect of why this 'renewing of the mind' is so important. I trust that you accept that our minds, left to our own devices, would invariably become consumed with passion for the world and everything therein. This is the result of our carnal nature against which we are powerless in and of ourselves. My study verse to is

Romans 8:6 (NIV)

⁶ The mind of sinful man^e is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; ^[1]

^e Or mind set on the flesh

The Holy Bible : New International Version. electronic ed. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984

This verse reminds us that if we allow our minds to dwell upon matters of the flesh, we willingly walk down the path to death and by way of contrast, discord. On the other hand, if we 'be transformed by the renewing of our mind' our mental focus and all our energies will become controlled by the Spirit. When that happens, our path leads to life and peace.

The difference between death and life is as obvious as the difference between Hell and Heaven. And do not be misled into believing that these are places in the future. We are already living in the timeline of eternity. For the carnally minded man, Hell is a reality even on this earth. For the spiritually minded man, Heaven is already a reality even on this earth. Consider Matthew 5:3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Not will be one day, but IS as in now. I give testimony to the truth of this concept and offer my own life and experience as proof. When I was focused on 'the world' my life was hell. Now, with my focus upon God's will and his kingdom, my life is heavenly. Circumstances of my life are not much different but my life is.

The difference between discord and peace is likewise as obvious. The carnally minded man knows no peace, no comfort, no joy for the carnal nature knows nothing of these matters. Life is one never-ending pursuit of empty and elusive goals. Achieving fortune, fame or power adds nothing but the fear of losing them to the life of the carnal man. Every relationship is based on consumption or convenience or personal benefit with no sense of truth of love. Happiness is but a function of circumstance and can be snatched away in but a moment.

But for the spiritually minded man, achieving fortune, fame or power adds nothing to the satisfaction of a life lived in communion with the Almighty God. Every relationship is based on selflessness or helpfulness or mutual benefit and is underpined with God-honoring love. Happiness is usurped by joy and cannot be stolen no matter the circumstance.

Thus we are taught by the Apostle Paul that as you think, so you are. Set your mind and your heart upon God's kingdom and His will; the rest of you will follow. Where that leads is to the green pastures and still waters of God's provision and love. There, there is life and you will know the peace that passes all understanding.

Shalom,

Carl