Terry Storch

Writing about life, leadership, faith, and anything else I find interesting.

The Mindset of Christ

 

Romans is a complex and beautiful book, spelling out the Gospel in such a powerful way. Today as I read through chapters 7 & 8, we see the struggle with law and sin and the covering grace of Christ. 

We read the words of Paul that, for me so resonate and ring true on more levels than I would like to admit.

“I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me.” - ‭‭Romans‬ ‭7:15-17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Here we see Paul describing and drawing out the power and flaw of trying to do the right thing, the wrong way.  He goes on and says “who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.”

A broken or flawed mindset we are seeing. Approaching the problem with the wrong solution with the right intentions. Romans 8 shifts the storyline and narrative towards living in the Spirit and being led and fully transformed by the Holy Spirit. This is the full Mind of Christ, as the Spirit was one with Christ Jesus. 

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” - ‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:1-2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Through the Spirit fo Christ in us, we are free from the law of sin and death. A radical shift from trying to live by the law, by the rules and regulations, and believing those will offer freedom. That is the flawed mindset, that was the old way that didn’t work. A new wineskin, a new mindset of Christ, is required for freedom. Here is the significant shift, the way we must set out every day pushing towards. Where is our mind, what are we doing each day to lead our thinking, our mind, and actions. How are we interacting with the Spirit in us?

“Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires, but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.” - ‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:5-8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

THE MIND GOVERNED BY THE SPIRIT IS LIFE AND PEACE. This sounds like heaven on earth. A life filled with peace is won governed by the Spirit. Now, Paul comes back a little later to make sure that we are not connecting “Peace” with easy, or free or trials or sufferings. That is not the reality of life as we know it. No prosperity Gospel here.

“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “ Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” -‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:14-18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace; this life and peace are in union and harmony with God. No fear, no condemnation, not a slave. We are heirs of God, co-heirs with Christ!!!! And this co-heir allows us to share in his glory, that our present sufferings are real, they are present, but the hope we look towards of his glory is higher than what we walk through today. Whoa, incredible. 

This leads us to a wonderful and powerful verse that is used so many times. But now as we have a little more context, this is not a feel-good, everything is going to be ok verse. This verse if following Paul, making sure we understand we are suffering from Christ, as He did. Present suffering and future glory. 

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” - ‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The mind of Christ, a mindset we must bring into our daily lives. Powered by the Spirit in us, that should guide us and move us closer to Jesus every day. Walking through the realities of life that is hard, challenging, and produces much suffering. This is life, and this is our reality. But our future glory, our hope we walk toward and live for is so much greater.

“...in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” - ‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:37-39‬ ‭NIV‬‬

other writing
John 20 - The Gospel

John 20 - The Gospel

The Gospel, the Good News! Jesus, Son of God, was born of Mary, lived as the Son of Man, died, and rose to life to rescue the world and bring about a new life. The central message of the gospel. Jesus, the centerpiece! John 19 & 20 cover the brutal death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

In this scene, I can not imagine how the disciples felt. John describes them as overjoyed...but those words just fall short of what I can imagine this moment was like.

John 19 - The Magnitude of the Cross

John 19 - The Magnitude of the Cross

The day of Jesus' crucifixion fulfilled 28 Old Testament prophecies. Scripture was fulfilled! Beyond that, trying to wrap my mind around what happened this day, on the cross, and fully grabbing the magnitude of the cross is mind-boggling.

Sure, we can dumb this down or simplify it to a place where I just don’t believe it is anywhere near accurate. We can get into penal substitution and argue over was God full of love or was God full of wrath and hate that he killed his son. To me, John 3:16 is pretty clear on the love part.

John 18 - Jesus levels an army

John 18 - Jesus levels an army

In John 18, we come to the great betrayal. Judas came with the soldiers, officials, and chief priest and Pharisees. We know the scene. But this morning, I saw something I don’t remember reading and surly don’t remember learning about.

“So Judas came to the garden, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, “Who is it you want?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “I am he,” Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) When Jesus said, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭18:3-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

John 17 - The Lords Prayer

John 17 - The Lords Prayer

John 17 is Jesus looking heavenward and praying to God the Father. So much beauty and mystery in this prayer. One thing that jumps out to me is that Jesus, fully God, and fully man prayed. Jesus is God fully. Why did he need to pray, He was One with the Father, He was God...and yet he prayed. This is so powerful;

“And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭17:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

John 16 - What does it take to believe?

John 16 - What does it take to believe?

By the end of John 16, Jesus had done countless miracles, preached some amazing sermons, transformed so many lives, and developed a close and personal relationship with his disciples. So, when reading these verses, I am just utterly confused on so many levels.

“I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.” Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.” “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭16:28-31‬ ‭NIV‬‬

John 16 - Undervaluing God in Spirit

John 16 - Undervaluing God in Spirit

Jesus’ time on earth is quickly coming to a close, and he finishes up his last sermon or teaching to his disciples as they walk to Gethsemane. This final teaching was a heavy one that no doubt left his disciples with a heavy heart. Jesus said it this way;

“...None of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things.” - ‭‭John‬ ‭16:5-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Jesus goes on to say;

John 15 - Constant Growth

John 15 - Constant Growth

We were built for growth, constant growth. From birth, all the way until our death, we were designed by God for constant growth. The problem is, we often can find ourselves stuck in a belief, a phase, or a part of life where we stop growing.

One of the most brilliant investors embodies this understanding. Charlie Munger, at 96 years old, is still learning and growing as a person. I love this quote:

“Knowing what you don’t know is more useful than being brilliant.”
- Charlie Munger

John 14 - The Gift of Peace

John 14 - The Gift of Peace

John 14 opens with Jesus, saying, Don’t let your hearts be troubled. And the chapter closed down with Jesus saying Don’t be troubled or afraid.

A message that needs to resonate with our spirit and our inner self. This was such a good reminder, reading through John 14 over and over. This passage lifted off the screen.

“But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart…

John 14 - Troubled Hearts

John 14 - Troubled Hearts

The world today seems so volatile and chaotic. Everywhere you look, whatever we read and see on TV just seems to be troubling. Last night, I noticed my lovely wife Tweeted this;

“I can’t be the only one who watches the news and is simply embarrassed right now, right? (Dear Jesus, we tap out. Come on back.)”

I find this first humorous, but then I also find it sad. It’s true, watching the news as a Christ-follower is pretty embarrassing. In John 14, we see Jesus…

John 13 - Unselfish Concern

John 13 - Unselfish Concern

Summarizing John, chapter 13, looks like this. The Lords Supper takes place. Jesus washes the disciple's feet. Jesus calls out Judas, and Satan enters him. Night comes, Judas leaves, and Jesus says he must go, and where I am going, you can not come. To cap it all off, Jesus also calls out Simon Peter and tells him that he will deny and completely disown Jesus three times. Whoa, a really full chapter, and historical day.

Nestled in the wrap up of the day is the parting message Jesus leaves his disciples, a message Jesus is sharing with us right now.

 
thoughtsTerry Storch