Good evening. Well- all those who desire to be “epistemologically self-conscious”- I have returned from the land of crashed computers and lost material! I’m back (or as the most famous Austrian body-builder said- “I’ll be back!”) to distinguish between “a mind that is Christian” and “a Christian mind.” Yes, Virginia, there is a difference; a big difference! Let’s get started. Open your Bibles- yes your Bibles. Why you ask? Because it is God’s Word. The sixty-six books of the Scripture are given by inspiration of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21) and are the only rule of faith and life. Turn to Romans 12:1-2 (remember your homework from last time).As I describe “a mind that is a Christian”, it is the individual who professes to be a Christ-follower but is influenced by the philosophies of the world. Almost like the relationship with Jesus is just one part of the equation; not the engine that drives the whole “sha bang”!

Paul has been so gripped by the gospel as the Lord revealed the truth to him in the first 11 chapters of Romans that he breaks into a song of praise (11:33-36). It is a doxology that ends with a wonderful statement of praise- “for from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.” Kinda like “to God be the glory great things He has done!” God has saved for Himself a people. Not a people who earned it; or paid for it; or deserved it; but rather a people who had received an undeserved gift. Oh the beauty of grace!

Then Paul says to these folks who have experienced grace, “present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” Give yourselves totally unto the Lord, Paul says. Don’t hold back anything. Remember He bought you (1 Corinthians 6:20). You are His. It is now your responsibility to give yourself to the Lord without reservation, without hesitation, without compromise!

How does the follower of Christ do this? Paul says that we must not be “conformed to the world.” This is the picture of pouring a hot liquid into a mold. As the liquid cools and hardens, it takes the shape of the mold into which it was poured. The “world” describes the philosophies which are in opposition to the truth of God’s word. Remember- philosophies like pragmatism (results determine truth), or existentialism (feelings determine truth), or narcissism (self-love- you know the holy trinity “me, myself, and I”). It is these philosophies that shape so many, that guide so many. It is scary that it is these ideas that “mold” and shape those who claim to love Jesus!

These philosophies/mindsets are in complete opposition to Scripture and yet how many times do we see these things in our lives. This should not be so! WE are to present ourselves “totally unto the Lord!”

In doing that, we are ”transformed”- the ugly caterpillar who leaves the cocoon as a beautiful butterfly. The word describes a radical change! A wonderful difference has taken place! The transformation takes place as the mind is renewed or reshaped. It is not by the philosophies of the world, but rather by the truth of Scripture that our minds are reshaped; that we are transformed. Transformed into those who seek “to think God’s thoughts after Him” (Romans 12:2); “to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). This means to be governed by the truth of God’s Word so that we are men and women who live lives of principle- principles founded in the truth of Scripture!

Sounds easy right? But wait- this sounds like a discussion for next week. Until then ponder the following questions: What governs your choices? Is Christ the Lord of your mind or are you ruled by the philosophies of the world? Think about it- to whom do you belong?