Living Resurrection Life: The renewed mind and its importance to experiencing resurrection life (Part 1)

Ephesians 4:17-32

“In the Lord’s name, I tell you this. Do not continue living like those who do not believe. Their thoughts are worth nothing. They do not understand, and they know nothing, because they refuse to listen. So, they cannot have the life that God gives. They have lost all feeling of shame, and they use their lives for ungodliness - doing evil. They continually want to do all kinds of ungodliness - evil. But what you learned in Jesus Christ was not like this. I know that you heard about Him, and you are in Him, so you were taught the truth that is in Jesus Christ. You were taught to leave your old self - to stop living the ungodly - evil way you lived before. That old self becomes worse, because people are fooled by the ungodly - evil things they want to do. But you were taught to be made new in your heart (your thoughts, actions, emotions, reactions and desires), to become a new person. That new person is made to be like God - made to be truly good and holy. So, you must stop telling lies. Tell each other the truth, because we all belong to each other in the same body. When you are angry, do not sin, and be sure to stop being angry before the end of the day. Do not give the devil a way to defeat you. Those who are stealing must stop stealing and start working. They should earn an honest living for themselves. Then they will have something to share with those who are poor. When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need - words that will help others become godly and stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you. And do not make the Holy Spirit sad. The Holy Spirit is God’s proof that you belong to Him. God gave you the Holy Spirit to show that God will make you free when the final day comes. Do not be bitter or angry or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt or disrespect others. Never do anything ungodly - evil. Be kind and loving to each other and forgive each other just as God forgave you in Jesus Christ.” (So, far the scripture.)

What does it mean to have our “mind renewed? When the mind is renewed, we’re able to “conform” to the truth of God’s Word - to obey God’s Word. When are minds are “transformed” (when our thinking changes) because our mind has been renewed, we will be able to see things the way God sees them.

Romans 8:5-9 (NLT2)

“Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So, letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Holy Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s law, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Jesus Christ living in them do not belong to Him at all.)”

This truth is clearly evident from the Scriptures, believers must undergo a radical change within their inner being (heart, mind, soul) in order to escape the world (those without God) and its fate. The believer must be transformed and changed inwardly. Our very nature, essence, personality, inner being, our inner man - must be changed.

Romans 12:1-2 (ERV)

“So, I beg you, brothers and sisters, because of the great mercy God has shown us, offer your lives as a living sacrifice to Him - an offering that is only for God and pleasing to Him. Considering what He has done, it is only right that you should worship Him in this way. Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to understand and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what is good and pleasing to Him and what is perfect.”

How are we transformed inwardly? The Scriptures declare, "by the renewing of your mind” {Romans 12:2}. The believer's mind is to be renewed, which means to be made new, readjusted, changed, turned around, and regenerated. In his letters to the churches, Paul concluded with a list of practical duties that were based upon his teaching. The believer’s life - faith and practice always go together. What we believe helps to determine how we behave. It is not enough for us to understand the scriptures. We must translate our learning into living, showing by our daily lives that we understand, believe, and trust God's Word.