119. HOW TO OVERCOME THE POWER OF SIN IN MY LIFE – Let Jesus' life within you direct and control your way of thinking (b)

In our last Meditation, we saw that it is clear for the apostle Paul that with our rebirth by God’s Spirit we are liberated from the dominion of darkness. All our sins are forgiven. We are reconciled with God through Jesus’ self-sacrifice. God has adopted us as his children. We belong to Him. We have received Jesus’ resurrection life and with it “his fullness”: his Spirit, his heart, his will and his mind. That is now our real life! Our sinful nature is still there, but it has lost its dominant place!

Paul describes this new identity to the followers of Jesus in Corinth with these words: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." (Colossians 3:2**)

Today we need to ask Paul: what do you mean with this double instruction?

“Set your minds on things above...” (Colossians 3:2a**)

One thing is clear: we have received Jesus’ mind (1 Corinthians 2:16, see also Meditation 117).  We need to use it Jesus’ way if we want to overcome the power of sin in our life. So how did Jesus use his mind in the confrontation with Satan’s temptations? He defied the devil’s scheming by saying: “The Scriptures say, ‘People need more than bread for their life; they must feed on every Word of God.’” (Matthew 4:4.7.10* and the parallel story in Luke 4:4.8.12*).

God’s reborn children can likewise defy Satan’s temptations by obeying God’s Word. Paul urges the Christians in Ephesus (Turkey): “Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” (Ephesians 6:17*)

The apostle Paul mentions the importance of studying God’s Word in his letter to the Christians in Rome: “Everything that was written in the past (i.e. the Old Testament) was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4**)

Paul reminds his co-worker Timothy about the importance of knowing God’s Word to learn how to live a Christlike life and to how overcome the power of sin. He writes: “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God's way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17*)

So, setting our mind on things above has first of all to do with ‘putting our head and heart into God’s Word’. By reading it we get a clear picture of who Jesus Christ is and what a mature Christlike lifestyle looks like. Obviously, we need to follow up what we learn by applying it to our way of life.

That leads us to the second point. Setting our mind on things above has everything to do with adapting our behaviour to our new Christlike identity. Paul writes about this to the Colossian Christians. He starts by reminding them of their new Christlike character that they received at their conversion: “You have clothed yourselves with a brand-new nature that is continually being renewed as you learn more and more about Christ, who created this new nature within you. In this new life, it doesn't matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile (not Jewish), circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.” (Colossians 3:10-11*)

Then he encourages them to adapt their behaviour to their new Christlike identity. Paul compares this new lifestyle with putting on a new Christlike outfit: “Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. And the most important piece of clothing you must wear is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are all called to live in peace. And always be thankful.” (Colossians 3:12-15*)

“Set your minds... not on earthly things." (Colossians 3:2b**)

Of course, you can only put on new clothes when you take off the old ones. Therefore Paul urges the Christians in Colosse (and us!) to do away with all behaviour that belongs to their old sinful nature, so that their Christlike character can develop to full maturity.

This is what the apostle means when he appeals to his Christian brothers and sisters (and us!) to avoid ‘setting their minds on earthly things’: “So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual sin, impurity, lust, and shameful desires. Don't be greedy for the good things of this life, for that is idolatry. God's terrible anger will come upon those who do such things. You used to do them when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don't lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old evil nature and all its wicked deeds.” (Colossians 3:5-9)

 

“We use God's mighty weapons, not mere worldly weapons, to knock down the Devil's strongholds. With these weapons we break down every proud argument that keeps people from knowing God. With these weapons we conquer their rebellious ideas, and we teach them to obey Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5*)

In this verse the apostle Paul explains how he uses the Word of God – whilst filled with ‘the mind of Christ’ – to reach out to people with the Good News of salvation. However, in the context of our present Meditation, we might reflect on this text as well. God’s truthful Word can help us to screen our lifestyle and specially our way of thinking.

Every pattern of thinking that is not in accordance with the Christlike mind that God’s Spirit has given to me, needs to be exposed and banished. Then the mind of Christ can develop itself fully in my life.

Also Hebrews 4:12 shows us that God’s Word has this ‘screening function’ in my heart and mind: “The word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are.” (Hebrews 4:12*)

Of course, the question lies in to what extent will I humbly allow God’s Spirit to screen my heart and mind by the light and the power of God’s Word. Am I prepared to do what it says?

Here are some questions – based on the last two Meditations –  to reflect upon. I pray that they might help us to examine our heart and mind in the light of God’s Word:

-- Is my life distinguished by the characteristics of a true conversion? (see Meditation 118)

-- Does Jesus’ resurrection life and “his fullness” control my heart and mind or does my ‘old’ selfish and sinful nature still keep its dominant place? (see Meditations 118 & 119)

-- Is my primary concern to set my heart and mind on knowing God’s Word and obeying it? (see Meditations 118 & 119)

-- How successful am I in adapting my behaviour to my new Christlike identity, so that Jesus’ character in me can develop to full maturity? (see Meditations 118 & 119)

-- Do I allow God’s Word to screen my life and specially my way of thinking? (see Meditation 119)

-- To summarise, I need to ask myself: who rules my heart, my mind and my behaviour? I or Jesus Christ by his Spirit and his Word? 

Translations: * New Living Translation; ** New International Version

For more on ‘what must I do to be saved?’, see Meditations 18 to 26.

For more on ‘rebirth by God’s Spirit’, see Meditations 27 and 44.

For more on ‘who is the Holy Spirit’? see Meditation 28.

For more on ‘Christlike transformation by God’s Spirit’, see Meditations 29 to 34, 45, 49 to 56 and 105.

For more on ‘sexual sin, etc.’, see Meditations 87 to 94.

For more on ‘how to overcome the power of sin in my life’, see Meditations 101-118.

118. HOW TO OVERCOME THE POWER OF SIN IN MY LIFE – Let Jesus' life within you direct and control your way of thinking! (a)

Today we want to start our reflection on the question: what does it practically mean to have ‘a Christlike mind’?

I.) FIRST WE WANT TO SEE HOW THE APOSTLE PAUL DESCRIBES THE CHARACTERISTICS OF TRUE CONVERSION IN HIS LETTER TO GOD’S REBORN CHILDREN IN COLOSSE (TURKEY)

“Since you died with Christ...” (Colossians 2:20**)

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ...” (Colossians 3:1**)

Like in his other letters, Paul reminds the followers of Jesus in this letter of what happened at the time of their conversion:

-- “He (God the Father) has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness (Satan), and he has brought us into the Kingdom of his dear Son (Jesus Christ). God has purchased our freedom with his (Jesus’) blood and has forgiven all our sins.” (Colossians 1:13-14*)

-- “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation...” (Colossians 1:21-22**)

-- “In him (Jesus Christ) you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism (into Christ’s death, see Romans 6:4) and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.” (Colossians 2:11-12**)

-- “And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to live in obedience to him.” (Colossians 2:6*)

-- “You have been given fulness in Christ, who is the Head over every power and authority.” (Colossians 2:10**)

From these texts it is clear what the characteristics of true conversion are:

-- we have received freedom from the dominion of sin.

-- we have received forgiveness of our sins through faith in Jesus’ sacrificial death.

-- we died and have been raised with Jesus to a new Christlike life by the power of God’s Spirit.

-- we are reconciled with God and have become his children. We have received Jesus’ character: holy, innocent and blameless!

-- we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord.

-- we have received “Jesus’ fullness”: his Spirit, his life, his heart, his will and his mind (see Meditations 114-117).

This is God’s incredibly exciting news about the start of true conversion, not about ideals to strive for after our conversion! It is all about God’s undeserved, gracious giving.

True conversion is about trusting that God has acquitted me of my past, present and future sins as he pronounced Jesus guilty of them and sentenced Him to death in my place! That is what Paul means when he writes to the Christians in Corinth: “God made him (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21**)

I wonder how obvious this God-given start of the Christian life is for many followers of Jesus. It is surely the starting-point for overcoming the power of sin and growing into Christlike maturity. It has everything to do with knowing our true Christian identity!

Yet, although a baby has all the potential to develop into a mature human being, it is quite a long and complicated process to reach it. The same is the case for God’s reborn children. With our conversion and rebirth by God’s Spirit, we receive all the potential to grow into Christlike maturity; yet, it might be a long and complicated process to attain it.

II. ) NOW THAT WE HAVE SEEN HOW PAUL DESCRIBES THE CHARACTERISTICS OF TRUE CONVERSION, WE NEED TO KNOW HOW THESE CHARACTERISTICS DEVELOP ‘A CHRISTLIKE MIND’

Paul encourages the Christians in Colosse, saying: “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1-4**)

We need to ‘unpack’ this text to understand it better.

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above...” (Colossians 3:1**)

The more literal rendering of this originally Greek text says: “... seek what is above...” This Greek verb for ‘seeking’ implies passionate searching and trying to find or to obtain what it looks for.  Indeed, it is a matter of the heart.

We can find the same verb in Jesus' command: “Seek first his (God’s) kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33**). The New Living Translation tries to catch the meaning of the verb ‘to seek’ by rendering this text: “He will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.” (Matthew 6:33*)

We see how Jesus set his heart on the things above, when he said: “My food is to do the will of him who sent me...” (John 4:34**). Concerning His intense devotion to God’s cause, we read in John 2:17*: “Passion for God's house burns within me.”

So, back to Colossians 3:1. Paul writes this letter to God’s reborn children who at their conversion died and had been raised with Jesus to a new Christlike life by the power of God’s Spirit. Therefore, Paul urges them to let Christlike passion drive them to search and obtain ‘things above’!

What does Paul mean by ‘things above’? Let us continue reading his text:

“... things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.” (Colossians 3:1**)

The New Living Translation renders this text: “... set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God's right hand in the place of honor and power.” (Colossians 3:1). What does the apostle mean with these words? Does he urge us to forget all about our world and its suffering and  to fix our gaze on the heavenly realms? Is Paul in fact a first-century mystic?

The apostle seems to respond affirmatively to our questions when he carries on, saying: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3:2)

However, when we read Paul’s pastoral letters to the various churches and when we study his life’s story in the book of Acts, we don’t get the impression at all that he is a first-century mystic. On the contrary, he comes across rather as a passionate, down-to-earth follower of Jesus who presupposes that his readers have the knowledge of the realities of heaven.

What then does Paul mean in this text with ‘the realities of heaven’? First of all, it is the place “where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.” We remember Jesus’ declaration before his enthronement in heaven: “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” (Matthew 28:18***). In other words: since his resurrection and enthronement, Jesus is the supreme and cosmic King who reigns with absolute power and authority over heaven and earth!

Consequently, the primary concern of Jesus’ followers and subjects is to set their hearts and minds on obeying their King and knowing his directives.

“...for you died when Christ died...” (Colossians 3:3*)

Here the apostle mentions another reason for setting our hearts and minds on ‘things above’. These words are linked with verse 1: “you have been raised with Christ”. We already came across this teaching of Paul about dying and rising with Jesus Christ at our conversion, earlier in this article and also in Meditation 116.

“... and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:3*)

 

For the apostle Paul, it is clear that with our rebirth by God’s Spirit, we have received Jesus’ resurrection life and with it “Jesus’ fullness”: his Spirit, his heart, his will and his mind. That is now our real life! Our sinful nature is still there, but it has lost its dominant place!

We find Paul’s famous catch phrase for this resurrection reality in his letter to the Christians in Corinth: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17**)

In fact, the New Testament mentions this resurrection reality more often. Here are some examples:

-- Jesus Himself testifies: “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies...” (John 11:25**, see also John 14:6)

-- Paul challenges the Christians in Corinth: “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realise that Christ Jesus is in you-- unless, of course, you fail the test?” (2 Corinthians 13:5**)

-- He declares to Jesus’ followers in Galatia (Turkey): “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20**)

-- He proclaims to the church in Philippi: “For to me, to live is Christ...” (Philippians 1:21**)

-- After all we read in Colossians 3:1-3 about dying and having been raised with Christ, Paul repeats this resurrection reality again in verse 4: “... Christ, who is your real life...” (Colossians 3:4*).

-- The apostle John points to this ‘resurrection fact’ when he writes that “whoever has God's Son has life; whoever does not have his Son does not have life.” (1 John 5:12*)

“Set your minds on things above...” (Colossians 3:2**)

We read earlier that the apostle says to the Christians in Colosse: “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above...” (Colossians 3:1**). For the same reason he continues by saying: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” In other words: let Jesus' life within you direct and control your way of thinking!

I remember what Paul said to the Christians in Rome: “Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.” (Romans 12:1*). See Meditation 117.

   

“Set your minds... not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3:2**)

What does the apostle Paul mean with this instruction? We need to think about that carefully in our next meditation.

(to be continued)

Translations: * New Living Translation; ** New International Version; *** New King James Version

For more on ‘rebirth by God’s Spirit’, see Meditations 27 and 44.

For more on ‘who is the Holy Spirit’? see Meditation 28.

For more on ‘Christlike transformation by God’s Spirit’, see Meditations 29 to 34, 45, 49 to 56 and 105.

For more on ‘How to overcome the power of sin in my life’, see Meditations 101-117.

117. HOW TO OVERCOME THE POWER OF SIN IN MY LIFE – God’s Spirit has given me 'the mind of Christ'.

In Meditation 114 we asked ourselves: how can we overcome the power of sin in our lives if our heart and our will are naturally so desperately corrupted by our sinfulness? We realised that we can only overcome the power of our sinful nature if we have received the three ‘component parts’ needed for such a major victory: (1) The gift of God’s Spirit as a result of our conversion, (2) a God-given change of heart to love Him and (3) a God-given change of will to obey Him.

In Meditation 115 we saw that, according to God’s Word, the heart is the centre of our inner being and the seat of all human power and potential. Our heart needs a radical change by God’s Spirit, and this is called ‘rebirth’.

Yet it also needs a further Christlike transformation led by Him. Practically, it means that – after our rebirth – all the forces and functions seated in our heart, and which are corrupted by our sinful nature, need to be brought under the control of God’s Spirit.

Because the heart is the source of thought and reflection, we want to see today how God wants to renew our mind so that we are able ‘to think about life God's way’.

“We have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:16*)

We find God’s standard for ‘a Christlike mind’ in Jesus’ command: “Love the Lord your God ... with all your mind...” (Mark 12:30**).

“Loving God with all your mind”: that is the way Jesus lived on earth and that is the mind God has given to those who are ‘reborn’ by His Spirit. Consequently, a God-given change of mind, called ‘the mind of Christ’ is the fourth ‘component part’ needed to overcome the power of our sinful nature.

The apostle Paul reminds the followers of Jesus in Rome that they have received ‘the mind of Christ’ at their rebirth: “People who aren't Christians can't understand these truths from God's Spirit (i.e., the Gospel of Christ). It all sounds foolish to them because only those who have the Spirit can understand what the Spirit means. We who have the Spirit understand these things, but others can't understand us at all. How could they? For, ‘Who can know what the Lord is thinking? Who can give him counsel?’ But we can understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:14-16*)

Paul explains in this passage, that if you have received God’s Spirit, you have received a Christlike mind, and, like Christ, you are in principle able to understand what God intends to do.  

The Epistle to the Hebrews explains that the divine gift of a new (Christlike) mind is part and parcel of the New Covenant. God has made that covenant with all those inside and outside Israel who are saved by the sacrifice of Jesus the Messiah:

-- “By one sacrifice he (Jesus) has made perfect for ever those who are being made holy. The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First he says: ‘This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.’ Then he adds: ‘Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.’ And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.” (Hebrews 10:14-18**)

“If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind, there is life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God's laws, and it never will.” (Romans 8:6-7*)

All God’s reborn children have received the mind of Christ by God’s Spirit. Yet, because of our ever-present sinful nature, we also possess until our dying day our ‘old sinful mind’ that stands in rebellion against God. Here are some of its ‘general characteristics’:

-- “Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. (Romans 8:5*)

-- “When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, your lives will produce these evil results: sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group,  envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin.” (Galatians 5:19-21*)

-- “Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behaviour.” (Colossians 1:21**)

If you are a reborn child of God, you have received ‘the mind of Christ’ and you need to ask yourself daily the following questions:

-- Who controls my mind today: my sinful nature or God’s Spirit?

-- If God has given me a ‘Christlike mind’, how will I overcome ‘the sinful pollution’ of my old rebellious mind?

The apostle Paul answers that last question in his letter to the Christians in Rome. He begins with making a condition:

“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice – the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?” (Romans 12:1*)

In this verse, Paul shows that the unconditional surrender of my life to God is a requirement for overcoming the ‘sinful pollution’ of my old rebellious mind. God has made such a daily surrender possible through (1) the gift of His Spirit, (2) a God-given change of my heart to love Him, and (3) a God-given change of my will to obey Him.

In Romans 6:13* (see Meditation 116) we saw that the apostle Paul encouraged the Christians in Rome to surrender their lives unconditionally to God: “Do not let any part of your body become a tool of wickedness, to be used for sinning. Instead, give yourselves completely to God since you have been given new life. And use your whole body as a tool to do what is right for the glory of God.”

“Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” (Romans 12:2*)

The apostle explains that with the daily surrender of my will to God, I will allow God’s Spirit to cleanse my mind from its sinful pollution. In Romans 13:14* Paul writes: “Let the Lord Jesus Christ take control of you, and don't think of ways to indulge your evil desires.”

Paul urges the Christians in Ephesus (modern Turkey): “Throw off your old evil nature and your former way of life, which is rotten through and through, full of lust and deception. Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes. You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God's likeness-- righteous, holy, and true.” (Ephesians 4:22-24*)

“... Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.” (Romans 12:2*)

Here we approach the crux of the matter! When I train myself to throw of my old evil nature and its polluted mind by the power of God’s Spirit, I will be like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon. My new Christlike mind will understand God’s will better and better and my new Christlike heart will be ever more determined to obey Him. 

In the same way Paul encourages the Christians in Ephesus, saying: “Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:10*) Such is a lifestyle modelled by the life of Jesus Christ.

In the next meditation we will look into some of the practicalities of having a Christlike mind, so stay with me.

Translations: * New Living Translation; ** New International Version

For more on ‘rebirth by God’s Spirit’, see Meditations 27 and 44.

For more on ‘who is the Holy Spirit’? see Meditation 28.

For more on God’s new and eternal covenant, see Meditations 33 to 34. 

For more on ‘Christlike transformation by God’s Spirit’, see Meditations 29 to 34, 45, 49 to 56 and 105.

For more on ‘How to overcome the power of sin in my life’, see Meditations 101-116.