Romans 8:5-7 (KJV)
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
1 Peter 2:9 New International Version (NIV)
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
Baptism of Christ (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Do you ever feel “left out?” Not just strange in an artistic or fashion sense. This type of strange runs deeper than eccentricity. When you believe deeply in Jesus and are committed to living an authentically Christian life, it’s like other people vibrate to a different harmonic than you do.
Christians are different because when you’re “born again” your spirit is cut from a different fabric than the rest of the world. It’s like the difference between wool and silk. You can’t expect a silk coat to keep you warm in winter, and wearing woolen garments in the summer heat is foolishness. Likewise, those who are born again are given a predisposition to be obedient to God, and those who are not have minds that rebel against the things of God, “because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Those who are born of Christ, who cultivate the mind of Christ by studying the word of God and being in fellowship with Him, start to mind the things of God. Your old carnal, rebellious streak gets washed away by the blood of the Lamb.
Because the life of Christ spells death to our old ways, we begin to be cautious about what we allow ourselves to see, hear, feel, and do. When Christ becomes your standard, you have no goal but righteousness and a deep, abiding desire to please God. How you spend your time and money, even how you dress will begin to reflect the mind of Christ, because: “they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.” (Romans 8:5, NIV)
When God chooses you to be one of His “chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession,” then you become “spiritually minded.” People who are spiritually minded are released from the control of peer pressure, bullies, and are free from the forms and fashions of the times. Spiritually minded people give up being part of the in-crowd. Instead, they have “life and peace.”
Keeping up with the Joneses and living to be liked by others is a vicious burden that leaves you uncentered. It makes you a slave to material possessions and people who neither love nor care for you. Jesus offers a better way. His “yoke is easy” and His “burden is light.” (Matthew 11:30 NIV) His words are “spirit and they are life.” (John 6:63) I urge you to come to Him today.
