God’s mindset — focus, purpose, intent — to redeem, to save;
Christ’s mindset — to accomplish the Father’s will, to seek and save the lost;
My mindset — ______________. Will I continue in the mindset of the flesh, which is incapable of pleasing God (Romans 8:7), or will I rest in the mindset of the Spirit, which is life and peace (Romans 8:6)?
Why talk about things like mindset at Christmastime?
Because this whole plan of redemption was to set us free from the slavery of sin and death. We were not just broken and bruised, in need of a little fixing up. We were dead and incapable of pleasing God. (Ephesians 2:1-10). But God made us alive! He had a plan,
2 Timothy 1:9-10 CSB – 9 He has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. 10 This has now been made evident through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who has abolished death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
And a mind set on the things of God, a mind set like Christ, our Savior, does not happen by “happy accident.” Our minds must be renewed (Romans 12:2) and every thought taken captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).
Romans 12:1-3 CSB – 1 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. 3 For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one.
I am so grateful to God for how He is in the process of renewing my mind, giving me a new heart, replacing my thoughts full of lies and death and self-will —
and that process . . .wait for it . . . is storing up, treasuring His Word in my heart, otherwise known as memorizing Scripture. Not just phrases or individual out-of-context verses to use as a rabbit’s foot in an emergency. No, no. God is not a vending machine where you punch in certain “codes” and get out what you want. He is God. He is Sovereign. He is Holy. He is our heavenly Father, who chose us and redeemed us even though we don’t deserve it.
The best Christmas gift, besides the gift of salvation — is that God revealed Himself and His ways through His Word, so that we can know Him and know how He wants us to live.
The best gift I could give you, dear reader, is to convince you that memorizing His Word is worth it. His Word has transformed my thoughts; helped me to know my God and Savior; provided a way of escape in temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13); given peace and comfort (Isaiah 26:3-4); and, I am not exaggerating, has saved my life (Psalm 119:92).
“Jesus — my life, my peace – teach me to set my mind on you with even a hint of the determined and relentless focus with which your mind is set on me. “– Jennifer Kennedy Dean, Pursuing the Christ
Plea for Grace 