MIND/SOUL-HEART/SPIRIT

By Pastor Walter C. Scott 5/25/15

I Corinthians 2:9-16

However, as it is written:

“No eye has seen,

no ear has heard,

no mind has conceived

what God has prepared for those who love him

¹⁰but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God ¹¹For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except Spirit of God. ¹²We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. ¹³This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. ¹⁴The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. ¹⁵The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment:

^16”For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?”

But we have the mind of Christ.

We are taught early on in life that we are all unique individual creations of God. We all look different, our DNA is ours alone and we all have distinct features, gifts, talents and abilities. Most of us usually take pride in these diverse human characteristics. I say most because in our society there is idol worship, envy and discontent with what God has, at our birth, endowed us with. This takes form in our attempts to change the physical appearance of our external bodies and the attempts we make to conform our minds to the world's way of thinking. Why do so many people want to imitate political figures, media stars, sports personalities and/or anyone else? Why do so many change their appearance and/or try to take on the characteristics or habits of someone else? Could it be greed,envy, low self-esteem or something else? Is this what God intended for each of us? I don't think so, and we will have great difficulty becoming who God created us to become if we pursue this lifestyle. It seems to me that many of us are pursuing all forms of self in the form of a quest for superficial perfection instead of a personal relationship with Triune God. The self that we think we should be vs the self that God created for us. God has a purpose and a plan for each of us, just as we were created, and it is good; if we acknowledge, accept, and receive it.

Jeremiah 29:11&12

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

So, how does this relate to our minds, soul-heart, and spirit? First let me explain that I believe the heart and soul are intimately connected to each other. One reflects the others true essence, character, personality and moral/emotional natural nature. The spirit is the supernatural essence of the heart and soul. The mind reasons an rationalizes all external input and directs the thoughts and actions of us all.

Now we all know that God is the definition of love and His love is unconditional and is for all people. We don't merit it or need to earn it and never have to. I don't like to say we don't deserve it because I believe God decided we did and it's there for all of us. And that is the final word.

I John 4:8-16

8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God;but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

13 This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.

If we are Christians (followers of Jesus Christ) we are instructed to love God first and each other second, also unconditionally.

Matthew 22:37-40

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

So, how can we value or love someone else or your creator if we don't value or love ourselves? We are God's creation, right? In our Christian walk we have a goal set before us. This goal is to acquire the mind and characteristics that Jesus modeled by His example. In the process of a genuine effort to acquire the heart and mind of Jesus Christ we learn how to love as He did. His example is our objective and goal. Our life, although we are not perfect as He is, should exhibit the highest level of excellence that we are individually capable of attaining. This is where love, trust, obedience, hope faith, belief and complete total surrender to Him will bring the greatest abundance of fruit from us and the reality of all His promises. Faith and repentance releases practical manifestations.

Galatians 5:22-26

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited,provoking and envying each other.

Yes, we are uniquely individual, although loving as God intended and acquiring the mind of Jesus Christ is something we should all have in common. We all should love unconditionally and without favoritism just as He did.

Acts 10:34-35

34 Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.

And this love should supersede all other earthly or natural pursuits. Our spirits should be united in this love we have for Triune God and each other. This love will be the unifying force that the Holy Spirit uses to guide and direct our entire life.

Hebrews 10:19-25

19 Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

To have the mind of Jesus Christ and to love unconditionally as He did requires complete surrender to Him and turning our life over to His instruction through His word, the Holy Spirit, and the fellowship and relationship that is developed with Him and other believers.

Luke 6:43-45

43 “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thorn bushes, or grapes from briers. 45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

Many of us never learned what real unconditional love is as we were growing from children into adults. And many not as adults. Some just never experienced it and others experienced a perverted version based on performance or expectation of reward. Oftentimes this came down through generations of misunderstanding, misinformation or ignorance. The enemy likes us this way, and we call this a generational curse. When we surrender our life to Jesus Christ and study His life and word the Holy Spirit will provide understanding, wisdom and break this generational curse; if you ask.

Psalm 73:21-26

When my heart was grieved
    and my spirit embittered,
22 I was senseless and ignorant;
    I was a brute beast before you.

23 Yet I am always with you;
    you hold me by my right hand.24 You guide me with your counsel,
    and afterward you will take me into glory.25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
    And earth has nothing I desire besides you.26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
    but God is the strength of my heart
    and my portion forever.

John 14:25-27

25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

We were all created equal and in the image of God. We do not need to guess what He looks like or how He feels about us because image means likeness.

Genesis 1:27

So God created mankind in his own image,
    in the image of God he created them;
  male and female he created them.

Genesis 5:1-2

5 This is the written account of Adam’s family line.

When God created mankind, he made them in the likeness of God. 2 He created them male and female and blessed them. And he named them “Mankind” when they were created.

We do however need to learn about Triune God through His word, teaching and the Holy Spirit. This requires faith and repentance. We have to walk it out and live it to acquire the mind of Jesus Christ. Original sin did and still does lie, distract, deceive and confuse many of us and keep us from our true purpose.

So, how and what do we say or do to acquire the heart and mind of Jesus Christ?

John 14:12-14

12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

And who does Jesus Christ say He is besides the Son of God and Man?

John 14:6-7

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

John 11:25-26

Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; ²⁴and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

As He just asked, “Do you believe this?” This belief and complete surrender is necessary and is what real freedom is all about. Freedom from fear of anything, especially death. No worry or anxiety just complete trust and dependence on God.

1 John 5:18

18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them.

John 14:1-4

 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God ; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”

So, can we do this? Can we completely surrender all forms of self for an intimate relationship with Triune God? Is this exchange worth it? Yes, without a doubt. Your ticket has already been purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ and the Freedom/Love train is waiting at the station for you to board. See you there!

Philippians 4:4-9

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything,but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Love and peace, Amen.