For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.

 What He Became to Us:

           

            Mind of Christ:  

 

1 Corinthians 2:16

16 For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.

 

            Too many times we Christians act like we have a mind of mush. We do things that cause us to get into trouble. Too often it is because we tried to think our way out of a jam and did something that got us into a worse situation. This verse says that we have the mind of Christ. That doesn’t mean that our minds will always think like Him. However, our minds do have at their disposal everything that is necessary to solve our problems. We have to allow Him to supply us with the solutions and then obey His instructions. This doesn’t mean that we wait until there is a problem to seek His thoughts. We need to seek Him every day. Then when the time comes to resolve an emergency situation, we will not be at a loss as to how to receive His directions for our lives.

 

If you could hear God speak, I believe this is what He would say:

            "You do need to worry about how to do this or to do that. I will show you how to do everything that you need to do. I will instruct you in the ways of righteousness as you go from day to day. You need not worry about the things that come against you. I will show you the way to be an overcomer. You need not fear failure and defeat. I was not defeated, though everyone believed I was. You will not ever be defeated if you listen to My Spirit as He guides you in everything you do.”

 

            30. I, together with my brothers and sisters in the Lord, have the mind of Christ. Thus, I should no longer rely only on my own thinking but should trust in His wisdom that comes to me and to those believers whom I trust.

For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

 Baptism:

 

            Clothed ourselves with Christ:

 

Galatians 3:27

27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

 

            We have clothed ourselves with Christ - with the garments of righteousness. As far as the enemy is concerned, when he sees us, he sees Jesus. He sees Jesus’ righteousness. We should behave like we’re covered with that righteousness. We shouldn’t go around behaving like the people of the world. We should act in a manner becoming to those in shining white garments.

 

If you could hear God speak, I believe this is what He would say:

            "You have put on the garments of righteousness, when you are clothed with Me. You have immersed yourself in My holiness, as you enter into My baptism. You will walk in holiness, if you will allow Me to show you the way. You need not fear that you will be rejected. You will be greatly loved, and I will show you how to walk in My holiness.”

 

            29. When I was baptized, I clothed myself with Christ, like putting on an overcoat. Since I have clothed myself with Him, I should walk in newness of life the same as He did on earth.

And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;

 Advocate with the Father:

 

1 John 2:1

1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous;

 

            Here John is writing words of wisdom to help us see how to keep from sinning. We need God’s wisdom to show us the way. God’s desire is that we do not sin. He doesn’t say, “Well, they’re just human. They can’t help themselves. They are going to sin sooner or later.” His will is that we stop altogether. But, if we do happen to sin, He doesn’t abandon us to our own just deserts. He provides us with our very own attorney … and not just any attorney … Jesus Christ, the righteous. He, never having sinned, though tempted in all things just like we are tempted, could very easily say, “They’re getting what they deserve. I resisted. Why can’t they?” Instead, He does all He can to help us turn away from those sins and not do them again. But we have to be willing and put forth the effort.

 

If you could hear God speak, I believe this is what He would say:

            "You know that it is not the desire of your Father that you sin. But if you do sin, I am there to plead your cause. I am there to comfort you in time of need. I will plead your case, if you will but let Me. I will draw you unto the Father, as you draw unto Me. If you let Me, I will bring you into the Father’s forgiveness.”

 

            28. While it is no longer my nature to sin, it is possible that I might sin. If I should sin and confess it, Jesus pleads my case before the Father.

The next day he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

                                                                         Chapter 3

 

Jesus

             Jesus is our brother. Therefore, we should share certain characteristics with Him. He, our elder brother, has done much for us just like older brothers in physical families are supposed to do. Because of what He did, we are destined for certain things. We are going to look at a few of them. Afterwards, we may wonder just how pitiful we would be without all that we were destined to be in Him.

 What His death accomplished:

 

            Takes away the sin of the world:

 

John 1:28-29

28 These things took place in Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

29 The next day he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

 

            It’s extremely important that we have all our sins forgiven. But Jesus didn’t come just to absolve us of those wrongdoings. He came to help us keep from committing new sins, and to even take away our desire to do those things that are displeasing to God. It’s amazing that He could and would help us resist the urge to commit sin. It’s nearly impossible to believe that He can and will take away even the desire to do them.

 

If you could hear God speak, I believe this is what He would say:

            "My children, I did not come just to cover over your sin … to hide it so that it could not be seen. I came to remove it to the far corners of the universe so that it could never be discovered again. I did not come to just forgive a sin or two that you might do each day. I came to do away with the desire to sin again. I came that you might have the desire that I had when I was on the earth … to always do the will of My Father. That is what I expect of you … to always want to do His will. And you can always do His will as you allow His Spirit to control your wants and wishes. Allow His Spirit to have His way in your life, and you will not have to struggle to do the Father’s will. I will come supernaturally.”

 

            27. When I believed on Jesus, he took away my sin and my sinful nature. In return, He gave me the very nature of God.