Love the Lord with Your Entire Being: Part V

Meditation on Mark 12:28-34

On account of its inner orientation the fallen mind is in conflict with the mind of God and the mind of Christ. It is nevertheless capable of knowing God, being changed, and renewed by him.

The human mind is the seat of reason and decision making (see Job 12:1-3; 1 Chronciles 17:2; 2 Chronciles 7:11; Nehemiah 5:7; Psalm 19:14; 49:3; Proverbs 15:28; 19:21; Ecclesiastes 2:3; 8:16; Daniel 4:16; 5:12; 7:1; Romans 10:10; 14:5; 1 Corinthians 14:14-15; 1 Peter 1:13; Revelation 17:9).

The fallen human mind is fatally flawed by sin (see Jeremiah 17:9; Genesis 6:5; 8:21; 2 Chronciles 12:14; Psalm 5:9; 64:6; 73:7; Isaiah 32:6; Jeremiah 17:1; Romans 8:5-8; Ephesians 4:17-18).

The fallen mind tends to confuse the Creator with his creation (see Isaiah 44:16-18; Romans 1:21-25).

There are consequences of the human mind's sinfulness. (1) Sinful attitudes lead to sinful words and actions (see Matthew 15:19; Mark 7:21-22; Romans 1:28-32; Ephesians 4:17-19; Colossians 2:18; 1 Timothy 6:5; 2 Timothy 3:8). (2) Sinfulness leads to death (see Romans 2:5; 6:23; Colossians 1:21). (3) Sinfulness leads to both doubt and instability (see James 1:6-8).

There is, however, great news! God can change the attitudes of the sinful human mind.

The fallen human mind can be convicted of sin (see Psalm 5:13; 1 Kings 2:44; John 16:8-11).

The fallen human mind can be changed (see 1 Thessalonians 1:9; 2 Chronciles 32:26; Job 42:6; Psalm 119:36; Acts 2:37; 26:17-18).

The fallen human mind is only enlightened by God (see 2 Corinthians 4:6; Deuteronomy 29:4; God may withhold understanding; 1 Samuel 10:9; Job 38:36; Isaiah 32:4; Jeremiah 24:7; 31:33; 32:39; Ezekiel 11:19; 18:31; 36:26-27; Romans 2:4; 2 Corinthians 3:14).

It is God who renews the human mind (see Psalm 51:10 and Titus 3:3-7).

Christians have had their minds enlightened, but Christians cannot stop with that. Christians are called to continually renew their minds and to have the same mind as Christ.

The renewal of the mind brings knowledge of God (see Colossians 1:9-10).

Renewal of the mind brings peace (see Philippians 4:7; Isaiah 26:3).

Renewal of the mind leads to obedience (see Romans 8:5; 7:25; 12:1-2; Colossians 1:10; 3:1-2; 1 Peter 1:13; Hebrews 8:10; 10:16; Jeremiah 31:33).

The believer's mind needs growth and renewal (see 2 Corinthians 11:3; Romans 7:22-23; Ephesians 1:17; Colossians 1:9).

Through the renewal of the believer's mind, the Christian's mind should become more and more like Christ's mind.

Christians should have the same mind as Christ in their attitude (see 1 Peter 4:1; 1 Corinthians 2:16; Isaiah 40:12; Philippians 2:5; 3:8; Colossians 2:2-3).

Christians should have the same mind as Christ in their knowledge of Scripture (see Matthew 7:28-29; 22:29; Luke 2:47; 24:27; John 5:39).

Christians should have the same mind as Christ in their awareness of God (see John 8:16, 28, 55; 14:10-11; 17:1, 6).

Furthermore, Christians show the same love that Christ's mind exercised (see Luke 11:42; John 14:23; 1 Corinthians 13:2).

The next posting in this series I will provide a list of books that focus on the Christian mind and its development.