November 4, 2001

THE MIND OF THE NEW MAN

Ephesians 4:20-24

 

   "I therefore...beseech you that you walk worthy of the calling where-with you are called, with all lowliness of mind..." (Eph. 4:1-2). "This I say and testify in the Lord, that you henceforth walk not as Gentiles walk in the vanity of their mind..." (Eph. 4:17). What a contrast as other Bible verses will expand!

   The Gentile situation was characterized in a two-fold manner, "being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel " and "alienated from the life of God" (Eph. 2:12 & 4:17). They were "alienated and enemies in mind by wicked works" (Col. 1:21). In the first case they were aliens by birth no matter what they did or thought. It expressed their distance from God. The latter alienation was of their own doing and expressed death, being "alienated from the life of God." The blood of Christ can-celled the first by bringing believers "near by the blood of Christ" (2:13). In the latter case their death was reversed by God's gift of resurrection life (2:8). These changes suggest a difference in walk!

   Paul described Gentiles who "did not like to retain God in their knowledge, [so] God gave them over to a reprobate mind," (Rom. 1:28). Another translated it, "As they saw fit to cast out the acknowledgment of God, God gave them over to an out-cast mind." Paul described the worship of some "vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind" (Col. 2:18), "men...whose mind is corrupt and destitute of the truth" (1 Tim. 6:5), "men who resist the truth, being corrupt in mind and reprobate concerning the faith" (2 Tim. 3:8), and those having "both mind and conscience defiled…unto every good work, reprobate" (Titus 1:16).

   "I beseech you therefore, brethren...that ye be not conformed to this world: but be...transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Rom. 12:1-2), "that you...be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that you put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and holiness of truth" (Eph. 4:23-24), "and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Phil 4:7). "The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the spirit is life and peace" (Rom 8:6).

 

Ivan L. Burgener