Verse of the Day 11/15

Through the Bible - Ezekiel 12-14, Hebrews 13

 

Good morning,

Last week we looked at several verses from Ephesians 5 which helped us examine our "walk".  The chapter starts out with "therefore", this morning we'll go back to chapter four to see what lead up to the statement, "therefore be imitators of God."

Ephesians 4:23-24 (Amplified Bible)  ³And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude],

²⁴And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God's image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness.

If we are to walk with God and be imitators of Jesus Christ these verses speak of some things that will be prerequisites for doing so.  Our minds and our hearts must be constantly renewed in the "spirit of our minds".  Notice the small s.  Its talking about our inner spirit, what guides and directs us.  The thoughts and intentions of our hearts.  

 

I actually started typing the thoughts and "attentions" of our hearts.  It fits as well what is it the captures and draws our attention?

 

In many of the psalms we find the word "selah", which means to" pause and think calmly of that".  This is one of those places where we could easily insert the word, or at least the thought to stop for a moment and think about having a constantly renewed spirit, to have a fresh mental and spiritual attitude.

 

Marcus Maxwell writes, "this is a renewal that pervades the Christian's inner being, and is rooted in the deepest core of their true inner self, described as the spirit of your minds.  (This is the only place i n Ephesians where 'spirit' obviously refers to the human rather than the Holy Spirit.)  Perhaps the intensity of the phrase suggests that such a deep-seated transformation must be the work of God as well as the believer.  Human decision and divine grace meet in the renewal of a Christian's new self." 

 

Can you say in your mind, "I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back"?

 

If you are familiar with the passage, try reading it from a different translation, how does it speak to you today?

Blessings,
Mike

 

mikevw@bellsouth.net
mikesvotd.blogspot.com

 

Ephesians 4:22-25 (New Living Translation)

²² throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. ²³ Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. ²⁴ Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

 ²⁵ So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.