The mature mind

[Prentis]

Hello all! Decided to do a small study on what it is to be mature in the Lord (to a degree). :)

When we repent and believe, our Spirit is quickened, and we receive a new heart. At that moment, we begin our race, we are grafted in to the vine. What follows after is the process of maturing of the character to move on to perfection, oneness with Christ. This begins with the renewing of the mind.

Romans 12:2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

To add to this, it says 'that you might be of one spirit, and of one mind'. We see again the same pattern. God first makes us of one spirit, and then he renews our mind, that we might also be united in this.

 

[rockytopva]

Good stuff there prentis... There is a particular danger when people come to a place where they think they have arrived!

 

[Prentis]

Good stuff there prentis... There is a particular danger when people come to a place where they think they have arrived!

Yes! More on that later, your leading right to one of my thoughts! :)

The purpose then, of having a mature mind, is to 'prove' what is the will of God.

G1381
δοκιμάζω
dokimazō
dok-im-ad'-zo
From
G1384; to test (literally or figuratively); by implication to approve: - allow, discern, examine, X like, (ap-) prove, try.

This working of maturity then, works for us to become able to discern on our own, and understand the will of God.

 

[Prentis]

1 Peter 4:1
Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,

Here we see one aspect of the mind of Christ; willingness to suffer for others, and for godliness. And here we see the result of the mature mind. We must put on the mature mind that we might move on to perfection. The renewing of the mind must take place so that we might be able to move on to maturity.

 

[Prentis]

The purpose then, of having a mature mind, is to 'prove' what is the will of God.

G1381
δοκιμάζω
dokimazō
dok-im-ad'-zo
From
G1384; to test (literally or figuratively); by implication to approve: - allow, discern, examine, X like, (ap-) prove, try.

This working of maturity then, works for us to become able to discern on our own, and understand the will of God.

[sup]12[/sup] For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. [sup]13[/sup] For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. [sup]14[/sup] But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Hebrews 5)

 

[whirlwind]

1 Peter 4:1
Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,

Here we see one aspect of the mind of Christ; willingness to suffer for others, and for godliness. And here we see the result of the mature mind. We must put on the mature mind that we might move on to perfection. The renewing of the mind must take place so that we might be able to move on to maturity.

Nice post Prentis. ^_^

To be of the same mind I don't believe refers to all of us agreeing on the finer points...for that is impossible. :blink: Rather I see being of the "same mind" as being of His mind, of having "the mind of Christ." When we do then...we are all of "one accord in one place" and that place is in Christ.


1 Corinthians 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.


Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.


.

 

[Prentis]

Paul follows this by saying... (Hebrews 6 in parts, my thoughts in blue)

[sup]1[/sup] Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection... ...and this we will do, if God permits. (There we have the mature mind; it's aim is to go on to perfection.) [sup]7[/sup] For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; [sup]8[/sup] but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned. (By our fruit then, we will be judged, as to the talent we have received) [sup]11[/sup] And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, [sup]12[/sup] that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Nice post Prentis. ^_^

To be of the same mind I don't believe refers to all of us agreeing on the finer points...for that is impossible. :blink: Rather I see being of the "same mind" as being of His mind, of having "the mind of Christ." When we do then...we are all of "one accord in one place" and that place is in Christ.

1 Corinthians 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.

Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place..

Very good point, whirlwind! :) Here is what it is to have the mind of Christ, in which we are to be united (Philippians 2), and by which we ought to walk:

Philippians 3[sup]12[/sup] Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. [sup]13[/sup] Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, [sup]14[/sup] I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

On this, we must be united, that we would press on together. This is the core of the gospel, the core of the character that moves us to run the race.

 

[Prentis]

[sup]14[/sup] I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.[sup]15[/sup] Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. [sup]16[/sup] Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.

This is the mind we must have! This mind is long-suffering, patient, perseverant, loving... in all things, rejoices in all things! :)

 

[aspen]

The mature mind is the inclusive mind, the mind the sees existence with a third eye. It rejects the false dichotomies created by the dualistic mind.- it is not legalistic or relativistic - instead, the mature mind cuts across all extremes through the power of unconditional love, forgiveness and empathy.