The Renewed Mind

The Renewed Mind

07/30/06 AM

Reading: Romans 12:1-2

Introduction

In Romans 12:1-2, Paul makes the following plea regarding transforming our lives:

“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

1. The Christian life is to be a transformed life...

a. One that does not conform to things of this world - Romans 12:2a

b. But seeks to prove (demonstrate) that God’s way is better - Romans 12:2b

2. The Christian life requires a renewing of our minds...

a. In which we learn what is God’s will - Romans 12:2b

b. In turn making it possible to be transformed - Romans 12:2a

[What are some indications of a renewed mind? In Romans 12:16, we find the mind or attitude that is to be found among Christians. Note first that there is to be...]

I. SAMENESS OF MIND

A. WHAT THIS MEANS...

1. The NKJV reads "Be of the same mind toward one another..."

2. Literally, "thinking the same thing" - Robertson’s Word Pictures

3. An exhortation frequently commanded of Christians

a. The Christians in Rome - Romans 15:5

b. The Christians in Corinth - 1 Corinthians 1:10

c. The Christians in Philippi - Philippians 1:27; 2:2-3; 3:16; 4:2

d. The Christians in Asia - 1 Peter 3:8 -- As Christians are renewed in mind, they will begin having similar goals, aims, views

B. HOW THIS IS POSSIBLE...

1. Seek the mind of Christ - cf. Philippians 2:5

a. Each should strive to develop and emulate the mindset of Christ

b. The more we become like Him, the sooner we become "of the same mind"

2. Set our minds on things above - cf. Colossians 3:1-2

a. Each should focus their attention more on spiritual matters

b. Distracted by worldly matters and human opinions, will destroy oneness of mind -- Where there is not unity, someone (perhaps everyone) is not setting their mind on Christ and things above!

[As we return to our text (Romans 12:16), we find that another indication of "The Renewed Mind" is...]

II. LOWLINESS OF MIND

A. WHAT THIS MEANS...

1. "Do not set your mind on high things" (NKJV); other translations:

a. "Do not be haughty" (RSV)

b. "Do not be too ambitious" (Goodspeed)

c. "Do not aspire to eminence" (Berkley)

d. "Don’t become snobbish" (Phillips)

2. "but associate with the humble" (NKJV); other translations:

a. "but associate with the lowly" (RSV)

b. "but accept humble tasks" (Goodspeed)

c. "but willingly adjust yourselves to humble situations" (Berkley)

d. "but take a real interest in ordinary people" (Phillips) -- A renewed mind makes a concerted effort not to be snobbish or ambitious, and is willing to be associated with humble tasks and lowly people

B. HOW THIS IS POSSIBLE...

1. By taking heed to what we learn from:

a. The attitude of David - Psalms 131:1-2

b. The warning to Jeremiah - Jeremiah 45:5

c. The teaching of Jesus - Luke 22:24-27

2. By noting what we learn from:

a. The example of Jesus - Philippians 2:5-8

b. The teaching of James - James 2:1-5 -- When one has the mind of Christ, their lowliness of mind will be manifested by the nature of their goals and the company they keep

[Finally, similar to lowliness of mind, "The Renewed Mind" also possesses...]

III. HUMBLENESS OF MIND

A. WHAT THIS MEANS...

1. "Do not wise in your own opinion" (NKJV)

2. Some other translations:

a. "Do not think too highly of yourselves" (Twentieth Century NT)

b. "Do not be conceited" (Goodspeed)

c. "And don’t think you know it all!" (Living Bible)

3. Similar warnings are found elsewhere:

a. Given by Solomon - Proverbs 3:7; 26:12

b. Lamented by Isaiah - Isaiah 5:21

c. Cautioned by Paul - 1 Corinthians 3:18 -- A renewed mind will maintain a strong sense of humility, an awareness that one has much to learn from God and others

B. HOW THIS IS POSSIBLE...

1. Hopefully, by listening to the scriptures

a. Such as that found in 1 Co 8:2

b. The wisdom of this world is foolishness to God - 1 Co 1:20

c. Not many wise are receptive to the gospel - 1 Co 1:26

d. God has chosen to confound the arrogant in their wisdom - 1 Co 1:27-29

2. Hopefully, aided by knowledge and experience

a. Often, the more you learn, the more you realize how much you don’t know

b. Often, the older you get, the more you realize how little you know