Thursday, February 6, 2014

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.

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