How can I love the Lord my God with all of my MIND?
What is the MIND?
The MIND thinks thoughts.
The MIND imagines ideas.
The MIND can contemplate. Evaluate.
The MIND considers.
I recommend doing a keyword search in Bible: ‘consider’)
The MIND processes & stores information.
The MIND remembers our memories.
The MIND perceives.
Perception.
Reality.
Truth.
Romans 12:1 ESV
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers [and sisters], by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.[b]
Paul is appealing to them.
Whenever we see a therefore, we gotta ask:
“What is this therefore…there for?”
Back to chapter 11.
Paul writes about the mysteries & magnificence of the gospel.
Romans 11:32-33 ESV
32 For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.
33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
Romans 12:1 ESV
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers [and sisters], by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
By the mercies of God
By means of…the mercies of God
Because of…the mercies of God
On account of…the mercies of God
In light of…the mercies of God
In light of…the gospel
Romans 12:1 ESV
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers [and sisters], by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Jesus presented Himself as a living sacrifice.
How could I not do the same?
I lay down my life
I present my body
I present myself to God.
I lay myself down like a priest lays down a lamb on an altar.
Romans 12:1 ESV
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers [and sisters], by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
The Greek word for ‘spiritual’ is ‘logikos’
He is saying that this sacred, spiritual act…
It’s logical.
It’s rational.
It’s reasonable in light of the mercies of God.
Romans 12:2 ESV
2 Do not be conformed to this world,[c] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
The word ‘transformed’ is the Greek word ‘metamorphoō’
Be changed
Be formed into something new
Transfigured
How do we do this?
Colossians 3:2 ESV
2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
This is not passive
We are fighting a war
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 ESV
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ…
Romans 8:5-6 ESV
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
We set our minds on things that are above.
We destroy lies.
We take our thoughts captive.
We set our minds on the things of the Spirit.
Philippians 4:8 ESV
8 …whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Be transformed
Be changed
Be transfigured into something completely different & better & new
By the power of the Holy Spirit
Romans 12:2 ESV
2 Do not be conformed to this world,[c] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Literally reads: “...so that you may prove what the will of God is…”
The word prove (“...so that by testing you may discern…”)
Precious metals are put under intense heat (testing) to find out if they’re genuine
“How worthy is this gold?”
We are transformed as we renew our minds with the truth.
We see goodness, beauty, the perfect will of God.
He proves Himself faithful.
Is God’s will for you to be anxious?
How does Jesus say that we are to combat anxiety?
Renew your MIND.
Consider the lilies of the field.
Consider the birds of the air.
Is it God’s will for you to grow weary?
To be tired? Despondent? Depressed? Afraid?
Is it God’s will for you to be weighed down by sin?
Hebrews 12:1-3 ESV
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
Consider Him.
With your MIND.
Consider Jesus.
With your MIND.
Fix your eyes upon Jesus.
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