RENEW

Ephesians 4:23: "And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;"

Our mind needs to be renewed because so much in the world "saps" our spiritual zeal and vigor. How can we be renewed? What does that mean? It means to make our minds new with God's Word, with fresh zeal, and a different outlook on life.

We are to 'look' at things differently than unsaved people do. We have better things, and a better focal point, to 'look' at than unsaved people have, because we are to look to Jesus, the Author & finisher of our faith. We are to 'look' at what God's Word, the Bible says about every thing that concerns us. Through faith, we can 'see' things that unbelievers do not, and indeed, cannot 'see'.

One way that we can "renew our mind" is to learn the things that the Lord given for our benefit. They are written in the Holy Bible.

Why not study it, and gain what is freely offered to us from God? It is not simply a story; it is the Record that God gave of His Son, Jesus Christ. It is the record of the eternal facts of salvation.

We ought not to neglect the eternal welfare of our eternal soul. Our body WILL cease to exist on the earth when we die. But our soul will NEVER cease to exist, either in heaven or in hell!

The need to possess eternal life for our soul is FAR greater & more important than our bodily comfort & pleasure. To possess heavenly treasures & Divinely given abilities is FAR more important than material substances, social treasures & pleasures that benefit our mortal beings for a few short years. Even if we live to be 150 years old, that is not even a micro-second of eternal existence, comparatively speaking.

Yet behold, multitudes of people expend GREAT effort & pain to gain temporary possessions that are so highly prized. All the while neglecting and even scorning God's grace that bids repentance (turning away & abstaining from sins) that add to our burdens anyway.

Note the Words of our Lord Jesus: "But seek ye FIRST the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." Mt. 6:33.

Let us bring these things to mind. Let our mind be renewed with eternal facts and realities, that are recorded in the Bible. Apostle Peter reminded us of the things that the Holy Prophets & the Apostles of Jesus Christ taught. 2 Pet. 3:1-2.

God's Word, then, is one of the main ways to "renew our mind." If we neglect to renew our mind with God's Word, the sins of the flesh and of the mind begin to renew their corrupt influence on us. Peter urgently warned against that in the following verses. Please take the time and effort to read them carefully.

2 Peter 2:20-22; 1 Peter 2:1-3. Paul also gave a warning in Hebrews 3:12-15.

How shall we be 'renewed' in our mind? By continuing to ingest God's Word into our heart, through study, hearing it, pondering it, and practicing it.

Thank God, He has given us His Holy Spirit to live in us, and to be our Divine Helper in the things that God's Word enjoins upon us.

The Lord Jesus said that He (the Holy Spirit) will guide us into all truth. Then He explained what He meant by "all Truth." Note John 17:17.

In fact, God is actively working in us to bring about His perfect will in us. See Romans 8:28. Note the following verses, taken from the Amplified Bible, (The Lockman Foundation-1954) Hebrews 13:5-6.

Renew your mind (or acquaint it) with Who it is that says such Words of assurance. God CANNOT LIE! When He speaks about any subject, WHAT He says is the TRUTH about it. That's "the way it IS!"

Be renewed in the spirit of your mind.

I love you, God bless you.