“And be renewed in the spirit of your mind,” Ephesians 4:23.
Here we are late into 2021 as of this writing, and we have not escaped the need of Jesus changing our hearts as believers.
We need the presence of our savior so we can be the peacemakers he has called us to be, to love our brothers and sisters how he has called us, and to be the reflection of his image into the world around us. We need an Ephesians 4 church to rise up and be the salt of the world. We need to be the one person that is willing to have their spirit of their mind renewed.
In Ephesians 4:23, other than being confused on what “the spirit of the mind” is, we are urged to be pressed toward this renewal. If you were to read this in context Paul is writing to Ephesus, particularly the church leadership, to progress the congregation toward the same measure of fullness and stature of Christ Jesus (THAT IS AWESOME AND ONLY ATTAINED THROUGH JESUS).
It then goes on to state that we put on the new man in righteousness and holiness. I am not sure of a greater renewal than our hearts leaving behind self to attain righteousness and holiness in God’s eyes. The life that is willing to be a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1) so that this life can be renewed and transformed which is good, acceptable and perfect to God’s will.
Our father’s heart and desire is for his children to leave behind the mindset we had before we came to know him. The only way this is possible is by spending time with this father at his throne of grace. The place where the Holy Spirit encounters our lives and breathes on us that new breath (“breath” is spirit in Greek). The place that we are washed clean and regenerated by the Holy Spirit that gives us life and life more abundant.
As we progress this year with pandemic talks, political talks, belief talks, and identity talks we are called to be renewed in the spirit of our mind. The spirit in our mind can only be renewed by the holiest of spirits, our glorious Holy Spirit.
This spirit can only be accessed by the continual washing of the word and looking at our savior, Jesus Christ, face-to-face.
By standing before God the father in reconciliation (restored and right standing) with confidence of his righteousness and holiness being active in our lives, so let us worship, let us stand as the church, let us be so in love with our God that all we can do is cry out “Abba Father” longing to be his children that are renewed in the spirit of our mind.
Brady Roser is the associate pastor at The Bridge Church.
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