The Mind of Christ

I Cor 2:10-13 (NIV)
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.

Good grief. I have never thought about this. Check out verse 11 again… “…no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God…” and verse 12, “…we have…the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand…”

For example, I may be close to my wife. I may be the closest human being alive to her. I know her better than anyone, but I cannot read her mind. (No jokes please – yes it’s true that no man can read a woman’s mind). Only her spirit, knows what she is thinking. My spirit is only privy to my thoughts. My spirit cannot read anyone else’s thoughts, no matter what we see on TV.

Given that chain of logic, only God’s thoughts could be known by Him were it not part of His plan to deposit a part of His Spirit into each of us who have come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. When we make that profession of faith, and die to our selves, we get a filling of His Spirit whereby He can make known to us His thoughts!

Now when I read “..you have the mind of Christ…” just a few verses later (v16) it takes on a whole new meaning.

I forgot everything…

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

1 When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters,* I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan.* 2 For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. 4 And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. 5 I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.

Dang!!!  I wish I wouldn’t stop reading at the chapter breaks! This is a continuation of yesterday’s journal. Two statements of Paul’s stand out in these 5 verses. “… I decided that … I would forget everything except Jesus Christ…“ and in verse 4 “… I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit.“

What would my life look like if I forgot everything but Jesus Christ and relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit? (with my best Paulie impersonation…) “Oh my gosh!”

Here’s the key. It’s two words in verse 2. “… I decided…“ That is the key. It’s making a premeditated choice to respond and do “X” before the heat of the battle or the throw of temptation.

If I forget everything but Jesus, then that means I forget all about me… all my pride, my selfishness, my wants, my desires, my laziness, my lack of discipline, my busy-ness, and so on and so on. It means I forget all about tomorrow’s schedule, the demands of my job, cheer practice, scouts, sports, tv, (whatever) and I remember Jesus. I spend time with him. I let the Holy Spirit lead me, even through the events of my day – the difference being the attitude of my heart. I do it out of worship and devotion to Him and not out of guilt or duty to something else, or out of my own selfish desires.

I am deciding to forget everything except Jesus Christ and to rely only on the power of the Holy Spirit.

Lord, help me make the same decision tomorrow and the next day. Amen.

Am I, Are You?

 Acts 13 is where I decided to land.  What an assembly was here! In these names we see that the Lord raises up instruments for his work, from various places and stations in life. Everyone and their mother was here. It is by the Spirit of Christ that his ministers are made both able and willing for his service, and taken from other cares that would hinder in it. So what is hindering me from doing the work of Christ?  Christ’s ministers are to be employed in Christ’s work, and, under the Spirit’s guidance, to act for the glory of God the Father.  Laying on of hands and a blessing upon Barnabas and Saul in their present work was sought for, and that they might be filled with the Holy Ghost in their work.  So not just are we to do the work but we need the filling to do it.  Whatever means are used, or rules observed, the Holy Ghost alone can fit ministers for their important work, and call them to it. (Ac 13:4-13) Satan is in a special manner busy with great men and men in power, to keep them being religious, for their example will influence many. There is a new thing happening with the world right now, and God is going to raise up His people in places and offices that have once been held by others. Saul is here for the first time called Paul, and never after Saul. Saul was his name as he was a Hebrew; Paul was his name as he was a citizen of Rome. Under the direct influence of the Holy Ghost, he gave Elymas his true character, showed Elymas his own heart.  He explained that a fullness of deceit and mischief together make a man indeed a child of the devil. And those who are enemies to the doctrine of Jesus, are enemies to all righteousness; for in it all righteousness is fulfilled. The ways of the Lord Jesus are the only right ways to heaven and happiness. There are many who not only wander from these ways themselves, but set others against these ways. The proconsul was astonished at the force of the doctrine upon his own heart and conscience, and at the power of God by which it was confirmed. The doctrine of Christ astonishes; and the more we know of it, the less we actually know. Those who put their hand to the plough and look back, are not fit for the kingdom of God. Those who are not prepared to face opposition, and to endure hardship, are not fitted for the work of the ministry.

So my continuous question is am I doing my part in the Kingdom, are you?  Am I being led and filled with the Holy Spirit to do this work, are you?  Do I believe that I am even called to do His work, do you?  Am I doing everything I can to turn the tide of the people to God and not allow them to walk dumbly behind someone just because they are in power, are you?