4. From
a natural/carnal mind to a spiritual mind
True
repentance or true conversion entails a transformation from being carnally
minded to becoming spiritually minded for it is stated quite explicitly that;
“Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh,
but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit: For to be
carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because
the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God,
nor indeed can be: So
then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. ” (Romans 8:5-8).
It
is also stated that; “The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit
of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are
spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he
himself is rightly judged by no one” (1 Corinthians 2:14-15).
This
area of repentance or conversion also brings about a conversion of how the
individual actually lives and walks in his/her daily life, for we have been
admonished saying; “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill
the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit
against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do
the things that you wish” (Galatians
5:16-17).
And
so the admonition continues, “Therefore, brethren, we are debtors --- not to
the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the
flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the
body, you will live” (Romans
8:12-13).
This
conversion is so significant and practical that the converted individual is
expected to; “No longer should live the rest of his/her time in the flesh for
the lusts of men, but for the will of God. For we have spent enough of our past
lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles --- when we walked in lewdness,
lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries: In
regard to these, they think it strange that we do not run with them in the same
flood of dissipation, speaking evil of us” (1Peter 4:2-4).
Now,
with the myriads of religions that exist worldwide, each professing to be
followers of Jesus Christ is there a visible and practical way of making a
clear distinction between a converted or repented mind, from one that is
unconverted? I can state quite categorically that there is, but unfortunately,
some of us are so deeply following the customs and traditions of men are unable
to detect the deceivers which we have been warned that there will be many in
the last days.
The
difference between carnal/fleshly minds with that of a spiritual mind is simply
that:
·
The
carnal mind is enmity against God; but in contrast, the spiritual mind is
friendly and in harmony towards God.
·
The
carnal mind is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be: But in contrast, the spiritual
mind is subject to the law of God and indeed will always be.
·
So then, those who are in the flesh cannot
please God: But in contrast, those who are in the Spirit can please God.
Remember,
we have been given the individual responsibility to; examine ourselves as to
whether we are in the faith. We are to test and judge ourselves: We are to know
ourselves whether Jesus Christ is in us, unless indeed we are disqualified.
There is a simple way by which one can differentiate the Spirit of Truth from
the Spirit of Error and it is stated as follows: “Now he who keeps His (God`s) commandments
abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the
Spirit whom He has given us”. And remember that God gives His Holy Spirit only
to those who obey Him (1
John 3:24, Acts 5:32).
Stay
tuned
With
brotherly love
Lucius
Joseph
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