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God’s Commands, Our New Character

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For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

Romans 8:29

The Ten Commandments reveal the character of God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin (Romans 3:20). God reveals his laws so that we can see ourselves as sinners falling short of his glory. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). We cannot perfectly follow God’s law, unless we accept Christ as our Savior and receive the Holy Spirit. We now have forgiveness of all our sins and we live by the Spirit in fulfillment of the law.

But how do we obtain the character of God as defined by all the commands in the Bible? If our minds and hearts have been living in the worldly nature, how can we hope to reflect the Godly nature to the world? How can we change our minds and hearts to the mind and heart of Jesus?  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:2).

When we understand from the Word that God gives us a renewed life, we are filled with love, peace, joy, and the faith that takes away our fears and motivates us to become more Christ-like in our minds and hearts. If we don’t have some understanding of this new life, how can we be motivated to live for the life God has planned for us? Will our minds and hearts be renewed if we are not motivated to live this new life?

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10). If we have the faith to understand that God provides life to the full and eternal life, then we can be motivated to renew our minds to the mind of Christ. The mind actually rewires based on our thoughts, meaning we can change our thoughts. If we want to be Godly people, we change our thinking to Godly thoughts. This is very difficult to do in our own strength, but God’s plan is for us is to be around Godly people, read and meditate on the Word, and pray. These are the pillars of the Christian life and they are all that are needed to renew the mind.

To continue in renewing our minds and changing our hearts, we must live as Jesus lived. Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did (1 John 2:6). If we follow the Spirit we will have a life of ministry, and our minds and emotions will identify with Jesus. This draws us closer to the Lord, fills our hearts with his love, and changes our hearts to that of Jesus. As this process continues, the commands of the Bible now describe our new character. Nothing pleases God more than to see our motivation to be more Christ-like through serving him and trusting him to lead our lives.

As we are molded by God to have the mind and heart of Jesus, our lives change to where serving the Lord is the most desirable and fulfilling thing in our lives. All the things Christ leads us to do through the Spirit take priority in our lives and highly motivate us to serve the Lord. Bible classes, worship service, ministering, praying, and meditating on the Word; these become the most desirable things in our lives. Things of the world become less important and less fulfilling than the things of God. We serve the Lord as we approach the desire Jesus had in serving the Father.

Today motivate yourself to serve the Lord by being a light for Christ. The more you serve the Lord the more the Lord puts his desire in your heart. Let everything that happens to you today help you to be more Christ-like.

Let’s Pray: Lord thank you for your desire to mold me to have the mind and heart of Jesus. The blessing of having the mind and heart of Christ is a blessing beyond words. Guide me in the Spirit and motivate me to become more Christ-like. In Jesus’ name, Amen.