The Call to Renewed Thinking

Scripture Reading

Colossians 3:9–14 NIV84

9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Introduction

Last week we considered the call to kill sin. The Christian, as a new creation, as one who has put to death the old manner of life, and is raised in newness of life, is called upon by God to put off anything to do with the old manner of life. In other words, any of the conduct, any of the ways that mark the man of sin are to be entirely done away. We are to be killing sin.

Now, many Christians would affirm this. Every true believer must surely have come to understand that they are sinners, and that they are in need of radical transformation. This is the basis of

Christians understand that they must stop sinning.

Looking Further...

But Christians are never merely to put off. The Christian moves beyond the act of killing sin. And this is something that we need to keep in our minds. Some Christians get stuck on the idea of putting off. They tell themselves that they should put off, and they remind themselves that they should put off. And this is certainly important. But the problem is that they stop there.

The putting off is exceedingly important. We spent the whole of last week Sunday evening looking at this. But the Scriptures go beyond that. There is a positive dimension that is required.

There is to be a radical transformation such that the old sinful patterns of acting and thinking and behaving are not only done away with, but actually replaced with positive, God-honouring patterns of acting, thinking and behaving.

Practical Example:

The person who struggles with anger and rage should put off the sin of anger, but they should also replace that with a new disposition and words of kindness and mercy.

A person who steals... a thief... When the Gospel so invades their life and transforms them, it doesn't just lead them to stop stealing. Rather, it leads them to seek work, and to engage in that work as best they can. The goal of that is not simply that they provide for themselves, but that they actually start to give towards others.

The person that is caught in the sin of envy / greed, which is idolatry, is not merely to put off that sin and stop being envious. Rather, they are to positively be thankful with what they have, and even to be generous with what God has given to them, so far as they are able. The Macedonian churches are a wonderful example of this.

We could go on with examples. But the point is that the Gospel radically transforms us such that we put away, we kill the sins of the flesh, and we replace that sinful conduct with God-honouring conduct. And all of this flows out of a willing heart in humility before Christ.

In other words, it flows out of who we are in Christ.

A Vital Element in Transformation

With that said, there is a vital element that forms part of this change from the old to the new. I've already said that some Christians get stuck in the putting off.

All they think about is putting off... they don't go further to putting on... to that transformed behaviour that is so radically different.

But there are also many Christians that work on both the putting off and the phtting on, but they repeatedly fail.

They know they're supposed to put off. They know that they're supposed to different things in the positive sense, they’re supposed to put on… But every attempt has failed.

One of the reasons that I think this happens is that they miss an important part of Biblical teaching on how this transition takes place.

What they do is, they rely on their strength... trying by all means to be a better person.. but they don't use the proper tools that God has given them for this task. They’re not applying the means of grace that God has given them.

And one of the vital elements that must be in place of we are going to see genuine transformation in our lives is the renewing of our minds. Our minds, our thinking, must be radically transformed.

Important Scriptures...

Apart from Colossians 3:10, which we’ll focus our attention on this evening, there are a number of other Scriptures that are relevant and important for this consideration.

Ephesians 4:22-24 is one important text. Note particularly verse 23…

Ephesians 4:22–24 NIV84

22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

And then, another text that is very well known, but very important in terms of this process transforming…

Romans 12:2 NASB95

2 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 Call to a Renewed Mind

The first thing that Paul says here is that the Christian is to be renewed.

1.1. Renewed

This means to be brought back to a former state.

It speaks of being brought back to a far more glorious state that what is presently the case.

In 2 Corinthians 4:6, Paul speaks about this renewal that is taking place within us as Christians.

2 Corinthians 4:16 NASB95

16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.

Consider that, dear friends, our inner man, that part of us that is spiritually alive, is day after day being transformed. That is the glorious reality of being a Christian. A Believer in the Lord Jesus Christ has the power of the Holy Spirit at work within them, and that power works within them to transform, to bring about renewal.

We'll consider a little later more of what that means for us.

But before we get there, consider how it is that Paul says we are being renewed...

He says that we are being renewed...

1.2. In Knowledge

When it speaks here of us being renewed in knowledge, it is speaking about a renewal of the mind.

What does this mean for us? There are a couple of important points that are important as we consider this.

1.2.1. Renewal in the Mind

Paul writes in the parallel passage in Ephesians 4....

Ephesians 4:23 NIV84

23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds;

There is a powerful transformation that must take place in terms of our thinking if we are going to have this renewal take place.

In other words, what we think and how we think is critical in terms of our transformation, and the clothing of the New Self.

Consider this in terms of the world and its systems. We live in a world that is teaching us what to think and how to think. Without us even realising it, we are being taught particular patterns of thought.

Just to draw your attention to the radical difference in thinking. Christ teaches us that it is more blessed to give than to receive.

The world’s system teaches us that “you deserve the best.”

God’s system, Christ teaches that you are not only to look to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. That you are to consider others more important that yourselves.

The world teaches, “you must do what makes you happy.”

Christ’s teaching says… “Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me...”

The World says… “Follow your heart...”, “Do what makes you happy...”

We need to recognise that the battle for the mind is critical. What we think and how we think is essential.

Paul writes these words in 2 Corinthians 10:5

2 Corinthians 10:5 NASB95

5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,

There is a clear contrast between the systems of the world, and the knowledge of God.

Keep in mind also that the heart and the mind are connected in Scripture. Very often used interchangeably.

With that in mind, consider some further elements of this knowledge, and being renewed in the mind entail.

We are to be renewed in a....

1.2.2. True Knowledge

In other words, this knowledge is a knowledge that is in accordance with truth. It is aligned only with that which is true.

In the context of the day in which Paul wrote, there were extensive false teachers that were preoccupied with the idea of knowledge. Knowledge was promoted and exalted and highly esteemed. Think about those philosophers at the Aeropogus that Paul engaged with. Ideas.

Think about the Gnostic teaching that was so prevalent. Gnosticism (comes from the Greek word Gnosis....) would teach that you could gain some esoteric or higher knowledge.

But Paul is saying here that as Christians, if you’re going to put off the old, and put on the new, you are to be transformed in your mind according to a true knowledge.

This leads us to our next consideration of this knowledge… that it is

1.2.3. Word-Formed Knowledge

By that I mean that this true knowledge can only be formed and shaped through the truth of God’s word.

When Jesus prayed for His disciples to be sanctified, this was His prayer to God:

John 17:17 NASB95

17 “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.

If we are going to be putting off the old and putting on the new, or put differently… if we are going to be putting off sin, and clothing ourselves, we must be filling our minds with the truth of God’s word. In other words, God’s word must grip our hearts and minds. This is not simply about reading the Scripture, but rather it is about prayerfully reading and meditating upon the truth of Scripture, asking God to powerfully work this word within your heart, so that your thinking is radically transformed and brought into conformity with the truth of God’s pure, holy word.

The Psalmist said in Psalm 119:11

Psalm 119:11 NASB95

11 Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.

When Paul wrote to Timothy, he clearly emphasized the centrality of the truth of God’s word for transformation.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 NASB95

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

Dear friends, think about those words. Think about the power that Paul is conveying concerning the truth of Scripture.

And then, think about the weight that you place on the study and meditation of Scripture in the transforming of your nature and character in conformance with Christ.

Further, we must understand that this knowledge is a...

1.2.4. Progressive Knowledge

By this I mean that it doesn't happen instantaneously. It's a process. The only way in which we are truly going to grow in this true knowledge of God through the Scriptures is through a diligent study of the Word of God.

The Psalmist writes…

Psalm 119:97–99 NASB95

97 O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. 98 Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies, For they are ever mine. 99 I have more insight than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation.

Dear friends, this is a progressive, steady work that must take place in our minds. Our thinking must be transformed. It will take time. But the steady, persistent, diligent effort in spending time in the Holy Scriptures is essential for us.

Peter said that believers are to… "...grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ....” (2 Peter 3:18)

1.2.5. Christ-centered Knowledge

This knowledge is really focused intensely on the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Consider that Jesus Christ was the fullest and complete revelation of God.

Hebrews 1:1–3 NASB95

1 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. 3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

In other words, the Scriptures point to Christ, and Christ is the very Word of God, as John 1 teaches us.

Now, one of the things that is so critical is that we worship a person.... He is the Word. He is the living Word. Our delight is to be in Him.

Looking further at this truth, consider with me a couple of other Scriptures.

In 2 Peter 1:2 we read…

2 Peter 1:2 NASB95

2 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;

The manner in which grace and peace can be multiplied to us is through this knowledge of God and of Christ Jesus…

In 2 Corinthians 4, Paul is speaking about the glorious Gospel that was being proclaimed by the apostles, particularly in contrast to the Old Covenant. This New Covenant ministry is one that brings about radical transformation in the hearts and lives of people. Their hearts are softened in order that they may be transformed. And so, we read in 2 Corinthians 4:3-6

2 Corinthians 4:3–6 NASB95

3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

The Gospel truths are conveyed through Christ.

A knowledge of God, a true knowledge of God, comes through Christ.

In that sense, when we read the Word, when we delve into the Scriptures, we’re really looking to know Christ Himself, our Lord.

Having consider that, let us consider briefly....

2. The Goal of the Renewed Mind

Paul says here that this new self is being renewed in “the image of its Creator.”

The goal here is that we as Christians be transformed into the image of God was lost in Eden.

The Creator is God. Adam was created in the image of God in the Garden of Eden.

Genesis 1:26 NASB95

26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

The image of God in man is a crucial part of that man. And we know that this image of God in man was distorted, marred, deformed through the fall.

But the renewal of believers has the goal of returning to the former state of glory. That we would become true imagers of God in this world.

With that in mind, notice also that when Christ is spoken of in this very letter to the Colossians, Paul refers to Christ as the Creator.

Colossians 1:16–18 NASB95

16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.

Therefore, we are truly speaking being conformed into the very image of our Saviour Jesus Christ. He is the Creator. He is the perfect image of God. He is the true Son of God, the Second Adam. The Perfect Man.

Therefore we eagerly look to Christ, and seek to be transformed into His likeness.

So here is our goal, dear Brothers and Sisters, and it is a glorious one!!

Notice with me a couple of verses in this regard:

Romans 8:29 NASB95

29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;

1 Corinthians 15:49 NASB95

49 Just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly.

Philippians 3:20–21 NASB95

20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

2 Peter 1:3–4 NASB95

3 seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.

Here is the glorious goal, as we have our lives transformed by the Gospel.

Application / Conclusion

As we begin close, consider some important truths that are essential for us in this regard.

A.1. A Teachable Spirit is Essential

Our minds will not be transformed by the power of the Gospel, or by the power of the Word, if we remain unteachable.

What I mean by this is that we need to listen to those who are wise counselors in our lives, those who are grounded and established in the truth of God’s word.

It is essential that we subject ourselves to the teaching of the Word of God. Hardness of Heart is a terrible condition to have. In fact, the Gospel rescues us from that. That’s a key marker of the New Covenant Christian… one who is teachable.

A.2. Renewal is by the Spirit of God

In Titus 3:5 we read…

Titus 3:5 NASB95

5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

Without the working of the Holy Spirit, there will be no renewal of mind. It is impossible for us, impossible for any person, to have this renewal without the Holy Spirit.

This is really important. If we want change in ourselves, that change must begin with a work of the Spirit, and it must continue by the work of the Spirit, as the Holy Spirit applies the truth of God’s word to our hearts and lives.

A person without the Holy Spirit can never have true transformation.

Romans 8:6–11 NASB95

6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. 10 If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

That life is not limited to life eternal in age to come. Rather, it is life that is available to believers now. We need the Spirit of God.

Similarly, Paul says to the Corinthian believers in 1 Corinthians 2:10-14

1 Corinthians 2:10–14 NASB95

10 For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, 13 which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. 14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.

Finally, notice that there is a...

A.3. Renewal Cycle

Growing in Knowledge Fuels Good Conduct which Fuels our Growth in Knowledge.

Notice how this comes across in Hebrews 5:14

Hebrews 5:14 NASB95

14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.

That “Practice” involves doing, not merely learning. That’s why James says that we must be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.

In Closing, I want to urge each one of you here today to take this renewing of the mind extremely seriously. Friends, we simply must have our thinking changed.

One of the key problems that drives people to become stuck in their sin is through thoughts that are not in accordance with God’s word.

So… for example....

Anger:

Ephesians 4:31–32 NASB95

31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

Fear / Anxiety

Proverbs 1:33 NASB95

33 “But he who listens to me shall live securely And will be at ease from the dread of evil.”

Romans 8:15 NASB95

15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”

Guilt:

Hebrews 8:12 NASB95

12 “For I will be merciful to their iniquities, And I will remember their sins no more.”

1 John 1:9 NASB95

9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Loneliness:

John 14:18 NASB95

18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

2 Corinthians 6:18 NASB95

18 “And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the Lord Almighty.

The idea is not to cherry-pick verses. We do need depth and breadth in our knowledge of God through Scripture. But these are just some examples that speak specifically.

Dear friends, may we be diligent to study the Word of God so that our hearts and our minds are transformed, are renewed in the true knowledge of Christ, so that we will be enabled to live godly lives.

Is God word your daily delight?

Are you spending time in it?

Do you see this Word as more important to your daily life than even your physical food?

May our gracious God transform us as we feed daily, regularly on the truth of His Word!