The Renewed Mind

1. Embrace dependence on God for spiritual growth

"We are not free to pick our good works at random and charge into them with the banner of good intentions flying high."

Spiritual growth is a cooperative venture between the believer and God. It's not about striving to earn salvation or sanctification through our own efforts, but rather learning to depend on God in every circumstance. This dependence is cultivated through:

• Recognizing our inability to live the Christian life in our own strength
• Surrendering our self-efforts and allowing God to work in and through us
• Embracing the process of sanctification as God's work, not our own

The renewed mind understands that good works are not something we do for God, but rather opportunities God creates for us to experience His transforming power. As we learn to depend on God, we become more receptive to His guidance and more effective in our spiritual walk.

2. Build the forms of holiness, let God fill them

"The believer puts on the outward form of Christ; God works the inward change in the heart."

Holiness is a partnership between human effort and divine empowerment. Our role is to construct the outward forms of holiness, while God's role is to fill those forms with His divine substance. This process involves:

• Putting on the outward behaviors of Christ-likeness (e.g., patience, kindness, forgiveness)
• Trusting God to transform our inner character to match the outward form
• Recognizing that our efforts alone cannot produce true holiness

By building these forms, we create opportunities for God to work in our lives. It's not about pretending or being hypocritical, but rather about creating space for God's transformative power to operate. This approach relieves us from the burden of trying to change ourselves and allows us to experience God's grace in a tangible way.

3. Christ in you: The mystery of the kingdom

"The essence of the kingdom of God is contained in Christ, and Christ is in you."

The indwelling Christ is the key to understanding and experiencing the kingdom of God. This mystery, hidden in past ages but now revealed, transforms our approach to the Christian life:

• It shifts our focus from external rules to internal relationship
• It emphasizes dependence on Christ's life within us rather than our own efforts
• It reveals that the power for godly living comes from Christ, not ourselves

This understanding changes how we view spiritual growth and service. Instead of striving to build the kingdom through our own efforts, we learn to allow Christ's life to flow through us. This indwelling presence is the source of our power, our holiness, and our effectiveness in God's kingdom.

4. Unilateral forgiveness: A powerful spiritual tool

"Where the church has practiced unilateral forgiveness among its membership, and toward those who might persecute her from the outside, she has been unconquerable."

Forgiveness as a proactive force can transform relationships and spiritual dynamics. Unilateral forgiveness means:

• Forgiving others before they ask or even recognize their need for forgiveness
• Taking the initiative in reconciliation, following Christ's example
• Breaking the power of sin and resentment in our own lives

This approach to forgiveness:

• Releases both the forgiver and the forgiven from the bondage of sin
• Opens doors for God to work in seemingly impossible situations
• Demonstrates the power of God's love in a tangible way

By practicing unilateral forgiveness, we align ourselves with God's heart and create opportunities for His transforming power to work in our relationships and communities.

5. Navigate the "little whiles" of life with patience

"God is at work."

Periods of waiting are purposeful in God's plan for our lives. These "little whiles" – times when God seems distant or inactive – serve important functions:

• They expose our dependence on God
• They build our faith and patience
• They prepare us for future ministry and growth

During these times, it's crucial to:

• Remember that God is always at work, even when we can't see it
• Trust in God's promises and character
• Persist in faith, even when circumstances seem unchanged

By embracing these periods of waiting with patience and trust, we position ourselves to experience God's transformative work in our lives and to be prepared for the next phase of His plan.

6. Embrace trouble as a tool for spiritual development

"Lord, the fire, not the junk heap!"

Difficulties are opportunities for growth in the Christian life. God uses trouble as a tool to:

• Expose our weaknesses and areas of misplaced dependence
• Refine our character and faith
• Transform us into the image of Christ

When facing trouble, we should:

• Look for what God is trying to teach us
• Focus on development rather than just deliverance
• Trust that God is using the difficulty for our good and His glory

By viewing trouble through this lens, we can cooperate with God's refining process in our lives, leading to greater spiritual maturity and effectiveness in His kingdom.

7. Prayer: Aligning with God's thoughts and emotions

"It isn't agreeing on our thoughts that brings answered prayer, but agreeing on His thoughts."

Effective prayer stems from alignment with God's perspective and heart. To pray with power and see more answers, we must:

1. Think God's thoughts:

   • Seek His perspective on situations through Scripture and the Holy Spirit's guidance
   • Confirm God's thoughts by checking with other believers
   • Be open to God's higher ways, which may seem counterintuitive to human reasoning

2. Feel God's emotions:

   • Cultivate sensitivity to God's heart for people and situations
   • Allow His compassion, grief, or righteous anger to motivate our prayers
   • Share and confirm these emotions with other believers

By aligning our minds and hearts with God's, we position ourselves to pray according to His will, leading to more answered prayers and greater effectiveness in our spiritual lives.

Last updated: October 27, 2024