Transforming the Mind II (Continue in the Faith)
Acts 14:22 Amplified Bible
(AMP) “.…Stand Firm in the Faith
22 Establishing and strengthening the souls and the hearts of the disciples, urging and warning and
encouraging them to stand firm in the faith, and [telling them] that it
is through many hardships and
tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
Perseverance is the badge of true
saints. The Christian life is not a beginning only in the ways of God, but also a continuance in the same as
long as life lasts…. The world does not object to your being a Christian for a time, if
she can but tempt you to cease your pilgrimage, and settle down to buy and sell
with her in Vanity Fair. The flesh
will seek to ensnare you, and to prevent your pressing on to glory. Satan will make many a fierce attack on
your perseverance; it will be the mark for all his arrows. He will strive to
hinder you in
service:
he will insinuate that you are doing no good; and that you want rest. He will
endeavor to make you weary of suffering. Wear your shield, Christian, therefore, close upon your
armor, and cry mightily unto God, that by His Spirit you may endure to the end. Charles Spurgeon
Mr.
Spurgeon and many of the greatest spiritual leaders of times past and today,
rightfully so encourage all Christians to persevere against the attacks of our
ancient enemy, who also perseveres relentlessly to destroy all who believe on
the name of Jesus the Christ. Historical accounts have lamented the thousands
of saints who kept “the faith” unto death. Many in modern times have died for
not forsaking Christ, and we in America are beginning to see attacks on
Christianity almost in every State of our Union. These attacks are from enemies
within and without our great country, and we must “keep the faith”, and if not,
the nation perishes. Make no mistake, even though these current enemies maybe
made of flesh, they are soldiers of satan (our spiritual enemy) who endeavor to
destroy the saints, any place they find an opening.
However,
we have another enemy more destructive than those who don’t believe in God, or
whose religion denounces Christianity. Who or what could that be? Our own
selves, I’ll explain.
Let’s
look to the “nature of sin” that every human is born into. Even though
introduced to mankind through Adam and Eve, it is the spiritual offspring of
satan; a virus that has infected all mankind; even the living earth itself
inherits the cruelty of sin, for it cries out for the goodness of God to once
again permeate every pore of its mountains and plains; the oceans and streams.
The atmosphere (the heavens) seem to be in constant search for the return of
the Son of Man, bellowing out storms and winds, seemingly in futility seeking
to cleanse the earth’s surface of human corruption; preparing a world worthy of
His return and His preeminent presence.
By
His Almighty Grace, God provided a way out for all of mankind, Jesus the
Christ. Jesus removed the penalty of sin, once and for all, and offers eternal
redemption for all who will believe. Perfection awaits those who accept Him as
Lord and Savior, and are born again… receiving a new nature, born of God and
eternally incorruptible. Perfect in a newly created spirit, enclosed in a sin
ruled body, and a soul corrupted by a nature which is completely opposite of
the love of God.
So
what is the problem here? Why hasn’t the world changed to reflect the presence
of God? Why do people seem to be more evil and corrupt as each day goes by? Why
are Christians being attacked so openly? Why haven’t more Christians grown into
the exact person God made them to be?
The
answer to all those questions is very simple, and can be answered in the
followings statements.
Scripture
Reference: Romans 12: 2
2 Do not be
conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its
external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire]
renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may
prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God,
even the thing which is good
and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
(Yes, I know,
I’m using the reference again. God is working on me regarding the staleness of
my mind)
There
was a line spoken by a so called villain in one of the Superman movies, when
one of his flunkies failed in an attempt to get rid of Superman. It was, “I
asked you to do one simple little thing, kill superman and you couldn’t even do
that”. In that context of human existence, Superman was impossible to destroy.
So that very simple request was received as impossible to achieve. I think that
the statement “be transformed by the
renewing of your mind”, seems to be impossible to achieve by Christians in
general. Yet it reveals a command written by Paul that is alive and infused
with the power of the Holy Spirit, and activated by faith.
God
has not only asked us to “transform our minds”, but He has given us the most
powerful force in all eternity to use to overcome any difficulties in
transforming our minds…. The name of His Son Jesus! All of heaven reacts to the
sound of that name. Every creature, visible or invisible, recognizes that name,
and must obey any demand or command spoken in that name. Every living cell in
every creature knows the power in that name. The devil and all of his cohorts,
know that name and shiver in fear when the Christian acts and speaks with
belief in that wondrous name! They have to obey; they must obey!!!
So
do you think your body, your mind, your thoughts will react to the name of
Jesus? Yes they will, nothing, not even your (so you think) circumstances are
immune to the power of the name. If they are not of God, then they will leave
by the power of the name of Jesus! Speak to your thoughts! Speak to you
circumstances! Speak to your body, because they all MUST obey the name! Command
and demand that ungodly issues and situations and thoughts leave your mind in
that name!! Thus begins the renewing of your mind. The more you do it, the
stronger you will be, and you’ll see amazing results!! All you have to do is
ask and believe!!!
Statements 2, 3, & 4
John
14: 13-14 (Expanded Bible)
13 “And if you ask for anything in my name [C asking “in my name” means acknowledging that Jesus
is the mediator between God and human beings; the name represents the person], I will
do it for you so that ·the Father’s glory will be shown
[L the Father might
be glorified] ·through [or in] the
Son.14 If you ask me for anything in my name, I will
do it.”
Proverbs 23:7 - “For as
he thinks in his heart, so is he.”
Proverbs 21:2 - “Every
way of a man is right in his own eyes, but
the Lord weighs and tries the
hearts.”
Scientists and psychologist have discovered that in a
human’s formative years, from the womb until about 5 – 7 years old, almost all
self governing values are learned, from the environment. This means from the
mother’s mental condition and experiences during pregnancy through childhood
development. They also attest that those experiences become subconscious in
nature, and when we have certain occurrences or stimuli, our reactions are
automatic, without conscious thought. These reactions can be negative or
positive. In general, children have been told “no” or “don’t” approximately
25,000 times by the time they reached 18 years of age. How does that number
compare to the positive statements that are made during the same time period? Is that 5 year old person still running
your life? Can’t be, can it??
Time
for some serious reflection! Oh, that’s a ridiculous proposition!!!! We are all
grown up, mature adults!
Add
to that notion, a nature that is selfish and prone to anger, jealousy, revenge,
and hate, that is the “pre-born again” nature…. a person without God, then what
chance does he/she have of transforming the mind? That person’s heart, without
the love of God, cannot help but suffer futility trying to deal with or control
these negative traits. “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he”, AND “he is
right in his own eyes”. Without God, one
cannot help but sin, but Jesus gives us power over sin.
Folks,
there is no human power that provides a way out of this dilemma. It is a
spiritual condition that has a spiritual answer. The only permanent solution is
through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Through Him, we are transformed by
the renewing of our minds, by the power of the Holy Spirit and the name of
Jesus!
There’s
much more that could have been shared here, but it seems too long as it is. I
leave you with a familiar scripture verse that may bring, at least a bit of
closure.
John 16:33 “I have
told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have
tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it
for you.]”
