Renewing your mind (3)
As we continue our study on renewing the mind, let’s consider James 1:
James 1:21-25;
21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24 For he beholds himself, and goes his way, and straightway forgets what manner of man he was.
25 But whoso looks into the perfect law of liberty, and continues therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
James wants us to observe how to study God’s word. There is a way not to study, and conversely, there is a way to receive God’s word.
The first way is to listen passively. James calls it being a hearer alone – the one who hears alone is not blessed. The word “hearer alone” speaks of one who listens like a spectator. He doesn’t see himself in what is being taught or read. He listens but doesn’t take to heart what he has read or listened to. To them, It’s just mere information and head-knowledge. People with this attitude cannot be blessed by the word.
The second is to be a doer of the word. This is the proper approach to God’s word. The doer of the word will be the one who views it as a mirror that presents them with their true reflection. In the word of God, we find who we are. When we find who we are, we do the word by living true to our nature. This is called walking in the Spirit/walking in the Word. The heart, not the head knowledge, is what blesses.
There are several instructions to follow in the journey of renewing your mind, and this has nothing to do with legalism. Let us look into Paul’s letter to the people in Rome:
Romans 12:1
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
Throughout the previous chapters of Romans, Paul has extensively discussed the doctrine of salvation and what it means to come to God through faith in Christ. He has explained that through faith, we receive the gift of righteousness and obtain God’s mercy.
Now, in light of this received mercy, Paul makes an appeal. He urges us to offer ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. We are presenting ourselves on the basis of that which has happened within. The in-working of the word, producing an outworking that is pleasing to God.
Let’s end with Paul’s letter to the Ephesians:
Ephesians 4:21-24 NLT;
21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him,
22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.
23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.
24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God-truly righteous and holy.
“Put it on”, you are no longer that old man, you are born anew – with new desires, new purposes and priorities, so renew your mind by the word and walk in your own!
Daily Bible Reading Plan:
Bible Reading – Judges 3-5
TEACHING OF THE DAY
The Gospel according to Jesus (2)