scripture commands abstention from conformity to the world and an active pursuit of the renewing of the mind .
Renewing of the mind is dichotomous as it is something that takes place instantaneously and a lifetime pursuit . While this sounds contradictory , we must remember God ’ s ways are not our ways . Just as righteousness is imputed at salvation , righteousness is a lifetime pursuit for every believer . Romans 3:22 “ Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe : for there is no difference .” 1 Timothy 6:11 “ But as for you , O man of God , flee these things . Pursue righteousness , godliness , faith , love , steadfastness , gentleness .” Clearly , scripture both declares the regenerated believer righteous and calls the regenerated believer to pursue righteousness .
2 Corinthians 5:17 “ Therefore , if anyone is in Christ , he is a new creation . The old has passed away ; behold , the new has come .”
Similarly , at salvation , the renewed person also gets a renewed mind , meaning he is able to comprehend the things of the Spirit , while at the same time being charged with the ongoing renewal of the mind . The instantaneous renewal has more to do with repentance than growth . At salvation , the new believer is indwelt by the Spirit of God and acquires a capacity to understand God ’ s Word and ways . Few things in life are more amazing than seeing the attitudinal and perspective changes taking place in the life of a new follower of Christ . Though some change takes place in every believer very quickly , most change takes place over time . The pace at which change takes place varies from saint to saint .
The key to living a victorious Christian life is submission to the renewing work of the Holy Spirit . Indwelt believers have access to all the power available to Jesus in His earthly ministry . 1 John 4:17 “ By this is love perfected with us , so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment , because as He is so also are we in this world .” Jesus did not , of His own accord , perform supernatural acts ; rather , He deferred to the Father and allowed Himself to be held to all the limitations of a mortal man .
Philippians 2:5-9 “ Have this mind among yourselves , which is yours in Christ Jesus , who , though he was in the form of God , did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped , but emptied himself , by taking the form of a servant , being born in the likeness of men . And being found in human form , he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death , even death on a cross . Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name .”
The Spirit of God , in each believer , is the primary agent of change and growth , including the renewal of the mind .
Romans 8:29 “ For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son , in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers .”
God ’ s desire is that His children resemble Him in holiness , compassion and love . The ongoing renewal of the mind has much to do with surrender to God and little to do with actual effort . Yes , believers are called to take every thought captive , to repent of bad behavior and even to renew the mind , but there is a supernatural component that cannot be ignored . Man is incapable of accomplishing renewal under his own power , this is why Christ died , providing the only method of redemption and the solitary path to sanctification . As a believer , the redeemed sinner has power from God to overcome sin and resist temptation .
Jesus commanded the church to make disciples , not converts . Salvation is the beginning of the spiritual journey , not the end . Once a person transitions from sinner to saint , discipleship is key to proper spiritual growth and learning . Discipleship is where real learning takes place . It is not sitting in church hearing a sermon , nor is it sitting in a Bible study , these are merely components of discipleship . Discipleship is walking with a more mature believer , sharing life and learning by example and study . With true discipleship comes accountability , which is necessary for the ongoing process of sanctification . Life generally provides a myriad of distractions . One of the biggest dangers to spiritual life faced by a believer is “ the cares of this world ”. Jesus