Posted by Chris on 6/1/2007, 8:16 am, in reply to "Re: A Scriptural Journey with the word 'Mind' (Cont...)" Continuing with this theme of ‘The Mind’ the next verse is Ephesians 4:17, (Eph 4:17) “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity (emptiness) of their mind,” We who have the knowledge of the ‘council and purpose’ of God, who are being transformed by the renewing of our minds, are counselled here ’not walk as other Gentiles walk,’ for, in God‘s estimation even the thoughts of the wise are vain, (1 Corinthians 3:20). Their understanding being darkened, who are ‘alien from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them,‘ why? ’because of the blindness of their heart:’ Oh! How much we have to be grateful to God for, that He has rescued us from that. This brings to mind the second verse in the list (Rom.1:28), for we are told that creation was made subject to vanity. What a tragedy this seems. Even we ourselves, ’groan with ourselves.’ (Rom.8:23; 2 Cor.5:2; 2 Cor.5:4) and look forward to the time when this ‘Body of death (humiliation)’ will be laid aside, and we have our resurrection body - no more conflict. (The word ‘vain’ would be a good word study to follow through) In the next verse Ephesians 4:23, (Eph 4:23) And be renewed in the spirit of your mind (your council and purpose); No longer being led by the vain thinking of the old man, but directed and motivated by the Holy Spirit by means of a mind that is renewed in council and purpose. This verse is sandwiched between the putting off of the old man, and the putting on of the new man in this section, and no wonder, for without the renewing of ‘the council and purpose’ of the mind, that ‘new man’ which is created, after God in true righteousness and holiness, would be impossible to ’put on’. For we are told in verse 25, to ‘put away lying’ (the lie) and speak truth with our neighbours, for we are members one of another. This is ‘Truth-ing’ speaking ‘THE Truth’, talking of those things which pertain to life, which in Christ is common to us all. That can’t be done without the ‘renewed mind’. For the natural ‘mind’ cannot perceive or understand the things of the new man in Christ Jesus, only the lie. Philippians 4:7 comes next: This is our portion, ‘the peace which passeth all understanding’, I read this recently after hearing news of a serious illness having been diagnosed for someone within my family, and praised God for his kindness in referring me to this verse, for we need be ‘careful for nothing’; ‘but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let our requests be made known unto God,’- ’and the peace of God, ---- , SHALL keep your hearts and minds THROUGH Christ Jesus. This is spoken by Paul, who suffered so much, and encountered situations which we shall never be called upon to endure, yet He could say with complete assurance that the peace of God SHALL KEEP our hearts and minds. Which makes me think of another verse, Isaiah 26:3, (Isa 26:3) Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. This verse under consideration, Philippians 4:7, as with every other, cannot be isolated from its context, but just at first I shall concentrate on the wording in this one verse. “And the peace of God, which passed all understanding (knowledge - which surpasses every mind and thought) - (CB margin: compare chapter 3:8; Romans 13:1 and cp. 3:20) (Php 3:8) ‘Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,’ (Rom 13:1) ‘Let every soul be subject unto the ‘higher’ powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.’ (Php 3:20) For our conversation (manner of life) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Paul counted all things but loss for the ‘excellency’ of the knowledge of Christ Jesus His Lord, (what a wonderful section this is) - Phil.3:8 In Romans 13:1 ‘Hypericoo’ ‘Which passeth knowledge ‘ has been translated ‘higher’ = ‘supreme’ here” The peace of God that is our portion, ‘passeth knowledge’ , excels, is ‘higher’ than anything that we ,with our finite minds, can conceive. Yet we can experience it in Christ Jesus, by God’s grace - how wonderful this is! Looking at Phil. 3:20 I could not at first see the relevance in relation to Phil 4:7, - “For our conversation (found only here ‘polieuema’ - means the seat of government of which we are citizens (Gr. polites) and of which we have both rights and responsibilities) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ; Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby - He is able to subdue all things unto Himself.” - but it does have relevance especially when coupled with the verse which follows (above) For our peace rests on One who ‘is able to subdue all things unto Himself. ‘ Looking at the final words of Phil.4:7;” ‘shall keep’ your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” - ‘Shall Keep’ means to garrison (as with soldiers) ‘Our hearts and minds’ (council and purpose - thoughts and intents - and affections) ‘through Christ Jesus.” I am reminded of David in His psalm, saying, What Confidence We Should Have!!!! With love in Christ Jesus
86.144.227.136
Hello there,
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(Phil.4:7) ‘And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.’
“Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.”(Psa 139:6)
Chris
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