Get Your Head on Straight – Think Like Jesus

We must get our minds right if we are going to pursue the things of God and be the light and salt of the earth that Jesus said we were.

Jesus said 13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.  14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.   – Matthew 5:13-16

There are a couple of important points to make clear about Jesus’ statement.  Salt, at the time Jesus walked the earth, was a costly commodity.  It was a preservative for meat to keep it from spoiling, it was not only used to spice up food and make it flavorful, but it was also used for medicine!

Think about that.  You, as the body of Christ, which He is the head, are meant to preserve Jesus’ work until He returns.  Being used as a medicine so to speak to the world.  Bringing eternal health to those who will receive the gospel of Jesus.  You are to bring the light of Jesus Christ into this dark world into every place you go.

But what if you are living in yesterday’s pain, offenses, and unforgiveness?  What if rejection is still producing its painful and ugly fruit in your life? 

Jesus said that we must seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness.  The word righteousness is defined as the act of doing what God requires, doing what is right. 

If you don’t think right, you won’t do right!

33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.  – Matthew 6:33-34

Holiness is a prerequisite to living a life of righteousness. We set ourselves apart for God's glory out of fear of the Lord.

We must be renewed in the spirit of our minds.

 20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.  - Ephesians 4:20-24

Apostle Paul also said we must not walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in futility of mind. Their understanding is darkened, and they are alienated from the life of God because of their ignorance and blindness of heart.

23 Be renewed in the spirit of your mind – Eph 4:23  9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— Col 3:10 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.  – Rom 12:2

Renewed means to become new and different, it implies superiority.  The Old Covenant demanded perfection in works but did not deal with the conscience or heart.  The New Covenant requires a heart change.

When we put on Christ as a garment, we begin to think opposite of the world.

The word spirit in this context means an attitude or disposition reflecting the way a person thinks.  It is an attitude. 

Do we have the attitude of Christ or ourselves?

The word mind comes from a Greek word meaning the psychological faculty of understanding, reason, thinking, and deciding.

Apostle Paul is telling us that we must be superior to our old selves. We are no longer ignorant of God’s will but think according to His will. Our conscience is synced with His heart because we are new in Christ. Our attitude reflects Jesus’ attitude towards sin and love.

Our understanding and reasoning are no longer of this world but of the kingdom of God.

The Apostle Paul said, "To live is Christ, to die is gain." Paul wanted to go home, but he had to finish his race.

Some day you will hear well done, good and faithful servant, if you endure to the end and fulfill the will of God for your life, for 13 it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.  Therefore, 12 work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.     - Philippians 2:13, 12

Let's pray,

Heavenly Father, thank You for the power You have given me to renew my thinking. I ask for help in this area because I know that in my flesh I cannot do anything apart from You. You are the cause for change. Make my transformation happen according to Your will and not my own. In Jesus name, Amen

Let me know what you think in the comments.

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