A Higher Mind Through Christ

“For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
~ 1 Corinthians 2:16, ESV ~

Through the Holy Spirit, God has made us “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4) so that we can have all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Himself. Think of the human mind as a computer, and the Holy Spirit as a sort of anti-virus program that can be uploaded to the human hard drive. Once the program is uploaded, that “mind” can then affect all the computer’s systems, taking out harmful applications and replacing them with good, functional applications. Continuing the analogy, the mind of Christ rewrites our hard drives so that we are capable of understanding, or interfacing with, God Himself. We gain new desires and qualities, like humility (Philippians 2:5), compassion (Matthew 9:36) and other godly “fruit” (Galatians 5:22-23). We have a new purpose that is aligned with His (Luke 19:10) and we can see clearly the reality before us that this world is temporal and flawed, and that we are meant for an eternal world (1 John 2:15-17). 
~ Compelling Truth – What does it Mean to have the Mind of Christ? ~

When I first became aware of the concept of mindfulness there was some skepticism and trepidation. I never really heard the term – nor experienced it as part of living a simple and authentic life. I understood the scriptures spoke on having faith in God. Believing, following, and the like. Never had I heard of living a mindful life. A foreign concept and idea. Out of curiosity, I began exploring what it meant to be mindful. To be present, aware, and experiencing the moment for what it is without judgment or criticism. As I began to fully comprehend the nature and implications of developing a more mindful way of living life I began to notice the fount of personal revelation opening up. The more I gave myself over to learning, disciplining, my prayers became more substantial and meaningful. They were not mere words of rote and ritual. Scriptures become living and breathing messages of inspiration for me. Mindfulness impacted me in a drastic way where my spiritual journey began to take shape and move my mind, heart, and soul into a more deeper and intimate relationship with my Heavenly Father. Greater appreciation for not only the Saviors teachings, but his life and ministry. 

At first glance, I held a presumption that the Apostle Paul’s claim appeared quite boastful. It is definitely something that does not go well with the woke culture and political correctness that we see happening. Neither did such a statement appear to go well with the First Century Christians in Corinth. The only individuals that benefit from this were those who had given themselves over to the Way of Life that was through Jesus. Today, it is a treasured truth of personal revelation. 

It is almost unthinkable that the mind of Christ, whom created all things and the fount of wisdom springs from, is available to us. I am not limited to mere human reasoning and sophistry. I am not bound by those limitations of history’s greatest thinkers, who, while often exceeding human standards of intelligence, have all fallen drastically short of discovering eternal truth by natural means. No, I have a supernatural access to ultimate reality from an eternal perspective. I know the direction of history and where it is leading. I know the solution to my problems, sufferings, how to endure and persevere through courageous and bold faith. I know how to live a more enriching and meaningful life in the remaining days of my mortal sojourn. And I have come to understand, as well as stand in awe and reverent gratitude, who holds all power and glory. Such vast and seemingly incomprehensible treasure is available to each one of us. Only if we are humble and willing to accept it. 

This was my own personal inherent problem. I had often resorted to lesser means of wisdom because I stood unaware and ignorant of the mind of Christ and how accessible it truly was. I did not have the courage and willingness to accept the reality of such extravagant promises. Because I did not believe, nor accept its reality, I did not possess it. The mind of Christ is available to each of us through the Holy Spirit, who comes to us only through faith. The spirit searches the deep things of God and reveals them to His people. Such things are foolish to the world, yet they are truth nonetheless – truth that I am able to know and base my life upon. 

I have my own mind. I also have the mind of Christ. It is the latter that I desire to depend upon. I do this by beginning each day prayerfully and meditatively disavowing my own will and desire. Giving myself permission to shed the lesser wisdom of my own human frailty and finite mindset. I acknowledge that I do not have the understanding to make the decisions to face each day. I do not know all the details or future implications of any decision. What I do know is that my Heavenly Father does, and He makes His wisdom available. I have come to fully acknowledge my own personal dependence upon God as I have grown to love and understand Him. Through this process of living a more mindful spiritual Christian Life, I have come to adopt the mind of Christ and continually seek His wisdom and believe upon that which He gives unto me. 

What does it mean for you to have the Mind of Christ? How will this impact your faith and life? In what way will this help you through your struggles and strengthen your faith in understanding who Christ is? What fears bind you up concerning faith in God and giving yourself over to cultivating a more mindful and spiritual Christian way of living?

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Thank you for reading – Damascus Way Recovery