Mankind’s current path is leading toward destruction because men and women who are in control are motivated by their own self interests and darkened understanding. In their own eyes many of them believe they are doing the right things. Right or wrong, soldiers are trained to do what they are told by their superiors. The problem occurs when the superiors are not led by the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY. Instead they are led by their soulish and/or fleshly nature. Paul addresses the issue in Romans chapter 12:
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
We are to present our bodies and minds to FATHER, not just our spirit man. Both of these aspects must become submitted to our spirit which is led by FATHER’S Spirit. This is our individual responsibility and cannot be assumed by anyone else. Each of us must renew our own mind and we must train our mind to serve us in our walk with FATHER.
You become like those you fellowship with. When you are consistently hanging around people who are lawless, you will ultimately take on some of their views and habits. Conversely, when you spend quality time with FATHER you will take on HIS attributes, and when this happens you will renew your mind and present your body as a Holy sacrifice.
Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,
26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,
27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
In the above passage, Paul provides us with the method by which our minds can be renewed: with the washing of water by the Word. As each of us studies and meditates on FATHER’S Word, our minds are cleansed from the thoughts originating out of worldly thinking. We begin to think as FATHER thinks as we take on HIS Character. We begin to see others through HIS Eyes of Love as we become immersed in HIS Divine Intent.
Notice that first of all Christ Loved us before the washing occurs. Love must be the intent as you are washed by the Word. Without Love being the primary intent, any washing will be insufficient. Sanctification and cleansing requires Love! How can we take on Christ’s characteristics if HIS Love is not present in us. If you do not yet see others first and foremost through the eyes of Love, you need some more cleansing.
Love looks beyond what the mind sees. In each and every Scripture, we must always seek out the understanding according to the intent of Love. If we do so, we will receive much greater revelation and many mysteries will be opened before our very eyes. We will read passages in a new light and begin to see HIS Love in each topic as our eyes are being opened to a higher perspective. As our mind is renewed we will ascend higher to HIS Ways. We will no longer take action according to a lower understanding but are satisfied to only act when HE instructs us to do so.
If you do nothing in the area of renewing your mind, you will achieve nothing. Our minds need renewed and we must acknowledge this reality. When we are told “many are called but few are chosen” we must understand that there is some type of qualification to be chosen. Those who lay down every weight that would encumber them from spending the needed time and focus on renewing their minds will be rewarded. There are certain sins that each of us must uniquely deal with. My weaknesses are different from yours thus there is no one formula for dealing with the flesh. The writer of Hebrews wrote of this reality in chapter 12:
1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
There is a great cloud of witnesses waiting for us at the finish line so let us shed the weights slowing us down. We must not let ourselves be distracted by the world’s priorities and enticements but instead let us trust FATHER’S Words of encouragement that as we pursue HIS Way our reward will be enduring. It is up to each of us to renew our mind. We need to know what FATHER is saying, not trusting in the words of others who may add their own interpretations. As our minds are renewed we will take on FATHER’S Character and Intent and as a result our foreheads will be sealed. What a great reward!