I've Lost My Old Mind

In our culture it is a high value to be informed of the latest information and gadgets.  Things come in and out of style in light speed.  It is social suicide to be “out of date” or be uninformed of the latest trend or fad.  I am at a stage in life when I feel like I just barely stay “in the know”.  I think I was hearing about “Gangnam Style” just about the time it was declining in popularity, and even then my wife is the one who made me aware of this new (and now old) phenomenon.  Most recently I have discovered the “Harlem Shake” which from my perception is already becoming “old news”.  What’s new and trendy enters on the scene quickly and what has become “old news” even faster.  Living the Christian life is definitely not about being trendy, but there is a way of living that, in light of eternity, is new and will always be trendy and never go out of style in God’s economy! 

READ:  Romans 12:1-2

Being a LIVING SACRIFICE is the NEW way that God wants us to live our lives!   We are NOT to conform (“pattern our behavior”) ourselves to the ever-changing trends and fads of this world.  Instead, we are to be transformed (metamorphosis = “to change natures”) and become something completely new and different . . . and it all starts by renewing our mind.  How do we renew our minds in order to live as a living sacrifice?

Our mind is renewed by KNOWLEDGE of our Creator (Col. 3:10) – Our minds have the ability to “know” lots of things.  Over the years we have learned and know many different bits and pieces of information . . . the alphabet, multiplication tables, dates when things happened in history, etc.  The information we can know with our minds is basically limitless.  But even those who do not believe in God would say that just knowing information is not enough.  Knowing God is like looking into a mirror.  A renewed mind does not just sit and observe God and obtain information, a renewed mind observes God and imitates Him!  When we look at the image of our Creator we are getting a glimpse into the mystery of who God originally created us to be (Gen. 1:27).  Every time we gain knowledge about who God is, we gain knowledge about the transformed and new person we are supposed to be!

Our mind is renewed DAILY from the INSIDE (2 Cor. 4:16) – The second law of thermodynamics states that everything in the physical universe is in a constant state of (entropy) degeneration . . . moving from a state of order to disorder.  The energy required to make our universe function cannot sustain itself forever!  Our physical bodies are a perfect example of physical matter wasting away over time and eventually dying.  Although our universe and our physical existence are wasting away, our inner-self has the potential of being made NEW each and every day.  Our inner-self does not degenerate or deteriorate.  In fact, our inner-self can improve!  Our inner-self cannot improve ITSELF but it can be improved with the intervention of God.  God created us with an inner-self that can become more and more like Him.  Each and every day of our lives we can become more and more like God intended us to be (ie living sacrifice).  Although our physical existence is destined for destruction, our spiritual life has eternal potential to be renewed into the image of the Creator!

Our mind is renewed by the HOLY SPIRIT (Tit. 3:4-7) – There is nothing like getting rid of something old and getting something NEW.  Tossing out old smelly socks for brand new clean ones. Getting rid of an old broken down car and getting a new one.  New always means an upgrade . . . cleaner, bigger, better, faster.  New wouldn’t be new if it wasn’t an improvement over something older.  When we are mercifully saved by Jesus Christ the Holy Spirit enters into our lives and makes us into a new human being!  The Holy Spirit gives us an “upgraded” ability to think and live our lives in a NEW way.  The Spirit gives us fruit of godly character (Gal. 5:22-23).  The Spirit gives us assurance that we are children of God (Rom. 8:16).  The Spirit gives us the ability to understand God and His Word (1 Cor. 2:12-16).  The Spirit gives us assistance in prayer (Rom. 8:26).  The Spirit will convict us in regard to sin, righteousness, and judgment (Jn. 16:8)  The Spirit will also guide us in all truth (Jn. 16:13).  These are not new things that we can produce on our own, they are things that will be made new in us as a result of the Holy Spirit dwelling in us!

CONCLUSION

Someday ALL THINGS are going to be renewed (Mt. 19:28-30, Acts 3:21). Until that day we must allow God (by deciding in our mind) to transform us from our old sinful selves into something new each and every day.  If you’re going to do it you have to “lose” your old way of thinking.  Being a living sacrifice only happens with God’s miraculous intervention and it starts with a decision of the mind.

I've Lost My Sensuous Mind

There are lots of tangible (practical, real, physical) ways that we measure ourselves and others.  A teacher uses test results in school as a tangible measurement of our mental comprehension of information.  An employer conducts an annual review as a tangible measurement of our productivity and work.  A coach conducts a tryout as a tangible measurement to determine whether we are “good enough” to be on the team.  We evaluate the way people dress and act as a tangible measurement of whether someone is cool or popular or can be a part of our social group.  We love tangible measurements because, in our minds, they provide “proof” of whether someone is living up to a standard that we have created.

Is there a tangible way to measure our spirituality?  Are there outward things that we do that allow others to determine whether we get an ‘A’, ‘C’, or ‘F’ as a Christian?  Believe it or not, there are some people who think so.  Even more surprisingly, many of us measure our own spirituality based on a list of external behaviors.

READ:  Colossians 2:16-23

Verse 18 says that there are those who possess a sensuous mind.  A sensuous mind is characterized by gratifying itself through things which can be experienced with our physical senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch).  Other ways Scripture describes a sensuous mind is a mind of flesh or a carnal mind.  Throughout Scripture our sensuous (fleshly/carnal) nature is contrasted with our spiritual nature (Rom. 8:1-11).  A sensuous mind is in direct conflict with a mind that is led by the Holy Spirit.  According to Scripture our relationship with God is not based on our SENSUOUS OBEDIENCE but on our receiving of JESUS CHRIST (Col. 2:6)!  What are the characteristics of a sensuous mind?

A sensuous mind makes JUDGMENTS based on external religious behavior (vss 16-17) – What are some tangible things we feel like we must do if we are going to be a good Christian?  Whether going to church on Sunday morning, attending Sunday School, or reading our Bible, we often do “religious” things because we feel judged negatively by others if we don’t do them.  Instead of God’s leading, other people’s judgment becomes our motive for why we do the things we do as a Christian.  Paul says in verse 16 not to let anyone pass judgment on you in the ways you outwardly express your faith.  The substance of our religion is not in how well we live up to others’ (or our own) outward expectations, but whether we are walking intimately and obediently with our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ! 

A sensuous mind considers DISQUALIFIED those who don’t live up to a (measureable) legalistic standard (vs 18) – How we outwardly express our faith can be extremely confusing.  Some will insist that we speak in tongues in order to be a “true” Christian.  Others might insist that we confess our sins to a priest in order to be forgiven.  Still others might insist that we use the KJV because it is the only accurate translation of the Bible.  Those with a sensuous mind will insist that we live up to a long list measurable legalistic standards.  Paul says in verse 18 not to let any disqualify you because of their insistence that you conform to a specific criteria of behavior.  Instead of trying to live up to a list of rules placed on us by others or ourselves, we must  simply remain connected to the Head who is Jesus Christ.  We are only as qualified as a Christian as we hold fast to Jesus Christ.  As we abide in Christ, He will qualify us by growing us with the growth that is from God.

Why is a sensuous mind so dangerous?

READ: Romans 8:6-8

Paul says in verses 6 through 8 that a sensuous mind is, 1) is HOSTILE to God, 2) does not SUBMIT to God’s law, and 3) cannot PLEASE God.  Ironically, in our attempts to qualify ourselves by living up to a measurable outward legalistic standard of behavior we actually disqualify ourselves from a righteous relationship with God.

CONCLUSION

We must be careful not to live out our faith with a sensuous mind which measures itself and others according to an empty list of external legalistic behaviors.  Our outward behavior is only a shadow of who we are in Christ.  The true measure of our faith is whether we have received Christ and are walking obediently according to the Spirit!