To be made new in the inner life of the mind stands between laying aside the old corrupt life driven by deceitful cravings and taking on the new life formed after God in right living and genuine holiness. That renewal is a complete new birth and daily transformation by the Holy Spirit, received only through surrender of self, living faith in Christ, beholding His character, and receiving the truth of the Word as the power that re-creates the soul in God's image. The renewed person becomes a new person in Christ with Christ's mind, dying to self and sin and living in knowledge, righteousness and true holiness in union with God. True renewal proves itself in changed conduct and speech, putting away lying, theft, corrupt talk, anger, bitterness and malice to become kind, tenderhearted, forgiving, truthful and useful in unselfish service. It is also the means to keep unity in obedience to God's commandments, requiring humility, purging of pride and dissension, and watchful consecration without delay.
Context and Wording
The renewal stands between laying aside the former corrupted self ruined by deceitful desires and clothing with the new self formed after God in righteousness and genuine holiness. It belongs to those who have heard Christ and been instructed by Him as truth exists in Jesus, requiring a mind made new in spirit rather than a mere outward change. This inward remaking demands determined effort against defects of character and wrong habits, for without a changed attitude and striving against imperfection there is no growth in grace. It appears in a Christlike spirit of love and tenderness toward others, in kind healing words and actions instead of cruelty, bitterness or oppression, with truth brought into the soul as an abiding principle of genuine experience. Righteousness in this renewal is received by faith, not from human worthiness or self-sufficiency, God giving power to will and to do what pleases Him.
It stands opposite walking as other Gentiles walk in emptiness of mind with darkened understanding, cut off from the life of God through ignorance and blindness of heart. That condition is past feeling and abandoned to uncleanness worked with greed, enslaved by lust and blinded by worldly influence, in which God cannot work in a church and members have no faith in associates because they have no faith in themselves and refuse to yield to repentance. Those who have learned truth as it is in Jesus must undergo decisive change in thought and life, no longer living as before but turning from the former way to become new in character. The contrast is therefore between learning Christ and remaining in Gentile vanity, alienation, and corruption.
The renewal belongs to hearing Christ and being taught by Him as the truth is in Jesus, not to mere profession of faith. Those who claim the privileges of the banquet of truth while professing to believe and teach the Word yet doing unrighteous works have not so learned Christ, because they have not eaten the flesh and drunk the blood of the Son of God. True learning is shown in laying aside the old manner of life, being renewed in the spirit of the mind, and putting on the new man, expressed in putting away lying and speaking truth, being angry without sin and without abiding wrath, giving no place to the devil, stealing no more but laboring honestly to give to the needy, speaking no corrupt speech but only edifying words that impart grace, not grieving the Holy Spirit, and putting away bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking and malice to be kind, tenderhearted and forgiving as God for Christ's sake forgives. It means standing at the post on guard over self lest evil agencies lead to saying and doing what pleases the enemy, doing all required to withstand in the evil day so that words and deeds are fragrant with the holiness of truth.
The truth as it is in Jesus that renovates the mind is the same verity proclaimed by Christ when enshrouded by the pillowy cloud. It is verity still in this day. It will just as surely renovate the mind of everyone who receives it now as it renovated minds in the past.
The chapter sets forth God's plan so plainly and simply that all His children may lay hold upon truth, declaring the means He has appointed to keep unity in His church so its members may reveal a healthy religious experience to the world. That means conforming life to obedience to God's commandments and being united in Scriptural faith, bound together as one in Christ with lives hidden with Christ in God, practicing the golden rule of doing to others as they would have others do to them, bearing living testimony that the Father loves them even as He loves His Son, with powerful influence upon unbelievers. It means appreciating God's great gift, using heaven's provision made at infinite cost to draw souls to obedience to God's law, cooperating as laborers together with God, becoming partakers of the divine nature having escaped worldly corruption through lust, and living consistent lives in courtesy, fidelity, justice and mercy that magnify the perfect law which converts the soul. The instruction must be studied and obeyed and cannot be ignored or treated with indifference, for only doers of the Word receive the reward, keeping Satan from gaining advantage to control minds and counteract the Father's work. The chapter is to be read most solemnly and impressed upon minds, calling hard-spirited strangers to the Spirit's working to great reformation in life, words, works and spiritual understanding, catching the inspiration of angels and daily breathing heaven's atmosphere, teaching loyalty to God's law which must be kept in order to live and receive the blessings of obedience, standing as a warning every soul must take to be rescued from unseen peril and spiritual danger by setting churches in order, closing the door of unbelief, gathering every ray of light that substantiates truth, bearing aloft the banner for the last days, and making straight paths so the weak are not turned aside when seducing power increases to deceive if possible even the elect.
How Renewal Happens
Renewal in the spirit of the mind is decisive conversion requiring a changed life and character, not merely profession of faith, a name on church records, or a form of godliness. Those who have learned the truth as it is in Jesus must put off the corrupt old life and show by daily conduct that they are no longer living as before, enslaved by lust and blinded by worldly influence. This change is not mere improvement of the old life but complete transformation including dying to self and sin and entering a new life. Without dying to self religious profession remains restless and dissatisfied, a confession of faith without works, rather than renewal in knowledge and true holiness that crucifies to the world, makes alive in Christ, constitutes a living stone in the spiritual building, and unites the soul to God.
Renewal in holiness comes only after the soul surrenders and submits to God and His will, and that surrender requires a struggle. It requires subduing the desires and affections of the heart and searching out and controlling its secret motives, with humility and pure, peaceable, gentle love. The natural self must die so that Christ takes possession of the soul, replacing uncontrolled temper and passionate speech with Christlike meekness and self-control, rather than carrying an unconverted, hardhearted spirit onward. Christ's life is the pattern, in trusting the Father fully, obeying and submitting without reserve, serving others, and not seeking His own will.
The change is a complete transformation and new birth brought about only by the effective work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit disciplines and changes the character, developing moral strength and self-control, so that through grace and persistent effort a misshapen character can be corrected and abilities devoted to God's service. Heart and soul, mind and strength are entirely changed and revamped to become a new man in Christ Jesus by being born again, reconverted in speech and in spirit, with discernment between light and darkness and the imputed character of Christ as a Bible Christian in purpose and character. The carnal nature is thus transformed and renewed in holiness after the image of Christ's righteousness and true holiness through the Holy Spirit of Christ accompanying justifying grace, softening and purifying the heart and daily strengthening in righteousness and true holiness. The Spirit fashions the soul anew, putting away the old diseased life of sin and forming the new life after Christ's character, with fruits of unselfish service, self-denial, meekness, and truthful words.
The mind is renewed by beholding the glory of the Lord, which is character, and by dwelling upon God's character. By thinking and talking of Jesus until charmed with His character, the person is changed by faith from character to character, from glory to glory, by the Spirit of the Lord, beginning in the spirit of the mind and leading to putting on the new person created in righteousness and true holiness and shown in good works that glorify God. This dwelling upon God re-creates the soul in His image, strengthens character, guards the mind against evil, and brings every motive and desire into harmony with right so that selfish desire and worldly ambition do not sacrifice truth and uprightness. It is knowing the love of Christ in personal experience, becoming familiar with His divine-human life and making it one's own until His love of righteousness and hatred of iniquity is reproduced, as the Word studied and obeyed subdues every unholy attribute while the Spirit convicts of sin and faith working by love conforms body, soul, and spirit to His image.
Renewal comes through the truth of the Word received as hidden treasure, heard without rejecting and opposing it, by which the soul surrendered to God is regenerated and re-created in God's image and loves that truth. What seems barren and lifeless to the carnal mind becomes to the renewed spiritual mind full of divine beauty, light and life, and rich with spiritual meaning. It is not enough to put away wrong tendencies and habits; regenerating grace must form righteous principles in the heart as part of character, shown in the sanctification taught by the truth in spirit, words, and actions. As people receive and live by the light of the Word they grow in grace and knowledge of Christ, their flaws are exposed, and character is gradually improved and made holy through the truth.
The Holy Spirit goes with precious saving truth to hearts that seek truth as hidden treasure, working effective inner renewal that causes rejoicing in obedience to the truth, as when the everlasting gospel was preached in the 1844 movement. That same sanctifying work continues as the whole person is sanctified, flaws exposed and put away through living by the light received.
The renewing is a daily inward renewal even while the outward man perishes, by reaching forth individually to the righteousness of Christ as the prize. It is daily eating the bread of heaven, like taking the leaves of the tree of life each day with self lost in Christ, which restores the moral image of God that was obliterated. It means having the mind that was in Christ Jesus, walking as He walked and working as He worked in constant self-denial and daily doing good to others.
Righteousness in this renewal is received by faith and does not come from human worthiness or self-sufficiency, for God gives power to will and do what pleases Him and brings truth into the soul as an abiding principle in genuine experience. The fullness of grace provided through the merits of Christ must be remembered and used rather than forgotten, in earnest wrestling prayer, communion with God, and practice of holiness to resist temptation. Such communion softens and sanctifies the heart, brings knowledge and true holiness, and strengthens the soul against temptation, producing vigorous Christianity instead of dull, sleepy, indifferent service in which there is no safety.
The Spirit's work renews in knowledge and true holiness through faithful searching of heart to discover imperfections of character and put them away, especially under affliction, coming forth with humble spirit as gold purified reflecting Christ's image, not to leave a person happy and satisfied with self. The grace of truth thus renewing the mind enables people to receive and enjoy God's promises and to glorify God in body and spirit, cleansed by Christ's blood from unrighteousness to be holy in heart, life, and conduct, so that His death is not in vain.
New Life in Christ
To be renewed in the spirit of the mind is to become a new man in Christ Jesus through complete transformation and not mere improvement of the old life. It means dying to self and sin, disrobing of sinful nature and casting off the old man and his deeds, leaving imperfect traits of character behind. It means putting on the new man, which is Jesus Christ Himself, being renewed in the image of God and the likeness of Jesus Christ. This is a new birth and entire change and revamping of heart and soul, mind and strength by the effective work of the Holy Spirit, with reconversion in speech and in spirit rather than carrying an unconverted, hardhearted spirit onward.
The renewed person has the mind that was in Christ Jesus, walking as He walked and working as He worked. That walk is constant self-denial and daily doing good to others, following His example of trusting the Father fully, obeying and submitting without reserve, serving others and not seeking His own will. It is a daily inward renewing even while the outward man perishes, reaching forth individually to the righteousness of Christ as the prize. It comes through the fulness of grace provided through the merits of Christ, remembered and used in earnest wrestling prayer to resist temptation, producing vigorous Christianity instead of dull, sleepy, indifferent service.
This renewal is renewal in knowledge and true holiness, following surrender and submission to God in which the heart's desires and affections are subdued and its secret motives searched out and controlled. It means being crucified to the world and made alive in Christ, which alone, and not a form of godliness nor a name upon church records, constitutes a living stone in the spiritual building and unites the soul to God. It comes through communion with God, prayer, and the practice of holiness, softening and sanctifying the heart and strengthening the soul against temptation. It requires faithful searching of heart, especially under affliction, to discover imperfections of character and put them away, coming forth with humble spirit as gold purified and reflecting the image of Christ in humility and pure, peaceable, gentle love.
Such transformation brings the imputed character of Christ and makes the person complete in Him. It makes a Bible Christian in purpose and character, with discernment between light and darkness and change in mind and judgment. It raises the standard high and prepares for the city He is preparing, where He is not ashamed to call the renewed brethren, and only by this converting power coming into the heart to transform character can a person be fit for heaven and adorn the gospel with a well-ordered life and godly conversation. There Christ reigns in the heart by faith and brings senses, appetites and passions under control of the Spirit, sanctifying eyes and tongue and making ears refuse evil reports and suggestions, so there is no evil speaking, no evil surmising, no accusing of brethren, and no secret working to exalt self and disparage others.
Changed Conduct and Speech
Renewal in the spirit of the mind stands between putting off the old man corrupt according to deceitful lusts and putting on the new man created after God in righteousness and true holiness, and it proves itself in a complete putting away of the former conversation. Those taught by Christ as the truth is in Jesus no longer walk as other Gentiles in vanity of mind with darkened understanding alienated from the life of God, but put away lying and speak truth, are angry without sin and do not let the sun go down on wrath or hold abiding wrath, and give no place to the devil. They steal no more but labor honestly to give to the needy, let no corrupt communication proceed from the mouth but only edifying speech that ministers grace, grieve not the Holy Spirit by whom believers are sealed unto the day of redemption, and put away bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and evil-speaking with all malice to be kind, tenderhearted and forgiving as God for Christ's sake forgives. Merely coming to the banquet of truth while claiming to believe and even teaching the Word to others, yet working unrighteousness, is coming without a wedding garment and without eating the flesh and drinking the blood of the Son of God, and it shows the mind has not been renewed. Such renewal requires standing at the post on guard over self lest evil agencies lead to saying and doing what pleases the enemy, and doing the all required to withstand in the evil day so that words and deeds are fragrant with the holiness of truth.
The renewed mind is shown in a Christlike spirit of love and tenderness toward others, expressed through kind, healing words and actions rather than cruelty, bitterness, or oppression. The spirit of retaliation must be banished from the heart to make room for the Holy Spirit to dwell in the soul, producing the new life of righteousness and true holiness with forgiving love and leniency toward others. The natural self must die and Christ take possession of the soul, replacing uncontrolled temper and passionate speech with Christlike meekness and self-control.
When Christ abides in the heart the person becomes circumspect and reliable and speaks purely in a way that refreshes others, while idle talk and frivolous conduct instead contaminate others. The purity and holiness of Christ lead to rejecting a pretense of religion that brings no blessing, peace of conscience, or repose of faith. Without receiving strength and grace from Jesus the life remains vulnerable to temptation and harms others by its influence, so seeking this renewal is the first business of life without delay.
The converting power must come into the heart and transform the character before a person can be fit for heaven and adorn the gospel with a well-ordered life and godly conversation. This renewal puts Christ reigning in the heart by faith and brings the senses, appetites and passions under the control of the Spirit of God instead of under Satan for unrighteousness. It sanctifies the eyes and tongue and makes the ears refuse evil reports and suggestions from believers or unbelievers, so there is no evil speaking, no evil surmising, no accusing of brethren, and no secret working to exalt self and disparage others.
Renewal begins in the spirit of the mind and leads to putting on the new person, for thinking and talking of Jesus until charmed with His character changes people from character to character from glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord through faith. Beholding the glory of the Lord, which is character, and practicing the example of Christ in His Sonship and humanity in obedience to God's commands lets light shine before men in good works that glorify the Father in heaven. When Christ's Spirit fills the heart old habits are exchanged for new ones and the whole person is transformed beyond outward conduct or obvious faults, becoming loving, patient, kind, forbearing and courteous as harshness is softened. This inward renewal overcomes personal faults and replaces criticism and condemnation with kindness and love toward others. The Holy Spirit fashions the soul anew, putting away the old diseased life of sin and forming the new life after Christ's character, whose fruits are unselfish service, self-denial, meekness, truthful words, and a life that represents Christ.
It is not enough to put away wrong tendencies and habits or to turn from foolish speech and conduct; regenerating grace must form new righteous principles in the heart to become part of character, shown in the sanctification taught by the truth in spirit, words and actions. Renewal means allowing the Holy Spirit to discipline and change the character, developing moral strength and self-control, so that through grace and persistent effort a misshapen character can be corrected and abilities devoted to God's service. Christ's Spirit cannot dwell in an impure, unsanctified heart, so the Lord uses people cleansed from defilement and calls them to give up cherished faults and unchristlike traits.
Unity Service and Warning
The verse declares the means appointed to keep unity in the church so that its members reveal a healthy religious experience to the world. It means conforming the life to obedience to the commandments of God and being united in the faith of the Scriptures, bound together as one in Christ Jesus with lives hid with Christ in God. It means practicing the golden rule of doing to others as they would have others do to them, and bearing a living, abiding testimony that the Father loves them even as He loves His Son, with powerful influence upon the unbelieving world.
God turns His hand to purge away dross and tin and to melt and try His people to bring them to the highest standard. This renewal removes unbelief, pride of heart, seeking to be greatest and first, fault-finding and dissension. It produces humility and oneness, coming into the sanctifying circle of truth, walking humbly with God, being subject one to another, pressing together, heeding every word of God that creates oneness, walking circumspectly, and seeking those things above where Christ sits at the right hand of God, no longer seeking first place but drawn together to help one another be one as Christ is one with the Father.
When the old man is purged from every heart there is greater safety in discussion where ideas differ, and there will be unity even though every idea may not be exactly the same on all points when all hopes are centered in Jesus Christ and His Spirit pervades the soul. Until that purging has happened every door that leads to points of difference and debate among brethren must be closed, because there is too little of the love of Christ in hearts and something of a different character is needed. Without this decided change of heart and soul, mind and strength, this being born again and reconverted in speech and in spirit through the Holy Spirit unto discernment between light and darkness and the imputed character of Christ as a Bible Christian in purpose and character, there can be no Christian unity and no blending of medical missionary work with the gospel ministry, and there is no safety in continuing to bear responsible positions.
Being accepted by God through Christ involves accepting the obligation to obey His law and being renewed in the spirit of the mind, and acceptance cannot continue while a person persists in transgression. It means appreciating the great gift of God and using the provision made by heaven at infinite cost to draw souls to obedience to the law of God. It means co-operating with the great Master Worker as laborers together with God, becoming partakers of the divine nature having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust, and living consistent Christian lives in courtesy and unwavering fidelity, justice and mercy that magnify the law of God and demonstrate that the law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.
Those who serve others must first be worked by the Spirit and obey the divine will rather than rely on human sources or judgment, so that work is guided by God and in harmony with the divine mind. This inner renewal purifies and cleanses and prepares a person as a vessel unto honor to be used to God's glory, by surrender to be refined and elevated, putting on the new man day by day, advancing in knowledge of God's will, and living in true holiness. It enables clear spiritual discernment and faithful representation of God, which is especially needed for those in responsible positions. It is necessary for physicians whose piety, self-control, purity, holiness, or watchfulness has weakened, to make them acceptable workers, for Christ's Spirit cannot dwell in an impure, unsanctified heart, and the Lord calls those cleansed from defilement to give up cherished faults and put away unchristlike traits.
Renewal fulfills the baptism vow to practice the lessons taught in the life of Christ, following His example of self-denial and self-sacrifice in medical missionary work and ministering to those around them through sanctification of the truth which plants living principles of saving faith in hearts. It makes believers God's stewards who gladly use entrusted capabilities, means, and talents for the benefit of the world, for the advancement of righteousness and truth, for building up His work and enlarging His kingdom. It educates men and women for service, establishes churches in intelligent knowledge so they are not helplessly dependent on ministerial aid, keeps alive self-denial and self-sacrifice by working together, and gives efficiency to missionary operations by imparting the knowledge of Christ's love and tenderness.
The verse brings comfort and strength to one who suffers and cannot rest, giving peace and comfort in prayer when committing personal need to the Lord. It is to be earnestly desired day by day amid pain and sleeplessness as assurance of being a subject of His care and of His love. This renewing is a daily inward renewal even while the outward man perishes, by reaching forth individually to the righteousness of Christ as the prize, having the mind that was in Christ Jesus, walking as He walked and working as He worked in constant self-denial and daily doing good to others. It comes through the fulness of grace provided through the merits of Christ, remembered and used in earnest wrestling prayer to resist temptation rather than forgotten, producing a vigorous Christianity instead of a dull, sleepy, indifferent service in which there is no safety.
Renewal means standing at the post on guard over self lest evil agencies lead to saying and doing what pleases the enemy, and doing the all required to withstand in the evil day so that words and deeds are fragrant with the holiness of truth as taught by Christ as the truth is in Jesus between putting off the old man and putting on the new man. It is expressed in putting away lying and speaking truth, being angry without sin, not letting the sun go down on wrath, giving no place to the devil, stealing no more but laboring to give to the needy, letting no corrupt communication proceed but only edifying speech that ministers grace, not grieving the Holy Spirit, putting away bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and evil speaking with all malice, and being kind and tenderhearted and forgiving as God for Christ's sake forgives. It is inspired instruction that must be studied and obeyed and cannot be ignored, disregarded, or treated with indifference, for only doers receive the reward, and it keeps Satan from gaining advantage to control minds, counteract the heavenly Father's work, and stir up sin, especially for those advancing God's cause. It stands as a warning that every soul must take to be rescued from unseen peril and spiritual danger, calling for churches to be set in order and the door of unbelief to be closed, for gathering every distinct ray of light that substantiates truth and bearing aloft the banner for the last days, and for making straight paths for the feet so the weak are not turned out of the way when seducing power increases to deceive if possible the very elect.
Seeking this renewal should be the first business of life, without delay. When Christ abides in the heart a person becomes circumspect and reliable and speaks purely in a way that refreshes others, while idle talk and frivolous conduct contaminate others and a pretense of religion brings no blessing, peace of conscience, or repose of faith, and those who do not receive strength and grace from Jesus remain vulnerable to temptation and can harm others by influence. Being renewed requires entire consecration before the old year closes while the remnant of time still remains, putting off the old man with his deeds and putting on the new man, refusing to continue the very things the Lord has forbidden though the enemy strives to keep souls doing them, and refusing to spend the Lord's money in ambitious buying of costly Christmas and New Year presents, though little presents for children may not be amiss.
Dwelling upon God's character renews the mind and re-creates the soul in His image. This renewal strengthens character, guards the mind against evil, and brings every motive and desire into harmony with right. So selfish desire and worldly ambition do not lead a person to sacrifice truth and uprightness.
To be made new in the inner life of the mind stands between laying aside the old corrupt life driven by deceitful cravings and taking on the new life formed after God in right living and genuine holiness. That renewal is a complete new birth and daily transformation by the Holy Spirit, received only through surrender of self, living faith in Christ, beholding His character, and receiving the truth of the Word as the power that re-creates the soul in God's image. The renewed person becomes a new person in Christ with Christ's mind, dying to self and sin and living in knowledge, righteousness and true holiness in union with God. True renewal proves itself in changed conduct and speech, putting away lying, theft, corrupt talk, anger, bitterness and malice to become kind, tenderhearted, forgiving, truthful and useful in unselfish service. It is also the means to keep unity in obedience to God's commandments, requiring humility, purging of pride and dissension, and watchful consecration without delay.
Context and Wording
The renewal stands between laying aside the former corrupted self ruined by deceitful desires and clothing with the new self formed after God in righteousness and genuine holiness. It belongs to those who have heard Christ and been instructed by Him as truth exists in Jesus, requiring a mind made new in spirit rather than a mere outward change. This inward remaking demands determined effort against defects of character and wrong habits, for without a changed attitude and striving against imperfection there is no growth in grace. It appears in a Christlike spirit of love and tenderness toward others, in kind healing words and actions instead of cruelty, bitterness or oppression, with truth brought into the soul as an abiding principle of genuine experience. Righteousness in this renewal is received by faith, not from human worthiness or self-sufficiency, God giving power to will and to do what pleases Him.
It stands opposite walking as other Gentiles walk in emptiness of mind with darkened understanding, cut off from the life of God through ignorance and blindness of heart. That condition is past feeling and abandoned to uncleanness worked with greed, enslaved by lust and blinded by worldly influence, in which God cannot work in a church and members have no faith in associates because they have no faith in themselves and refuse to yield to repentance. Those who have learned truth as it is in Jesus must undergo decisive change in thought and life, no longer living as before but turning from the former way to become new in character. The contrast is therefore between learning Christ and remaining in Gentile vanity, alienation, and corruption.
The renewal belongs to hearing Christ and being taught by Him as the truth is in Jesus, not to mere profession of faith. Those who claim the privileges of the banquet of truth while professing to believe and teach the Word yet doing unrighteous works have not so learned Christ, because they have not eaten the flesh and drunk the blood of the Son of God. True learning is shown in laying aside the old manner of life, being renewed in the spirit of the mind, and putting on the new man, expressed in putting away lying and speaking truth, being angry without sin and without abiding wrath, giving no place to the devil, stealing no more but laboring honestly to give to the needy, speaking no corrupt speech but only edifying words that impart grace, not grieving the Holy Spirit, and putting away bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking and malice to be kind, tenderhearted and forgiving as God for Christ's sake forgives. It means standing at the post on guard over self lest evil agencies lead to saying and doing what pleases the enemy, doing all required to withstand in the evil day so that words and deeds are fragrant with the holiness of truth.
The truth as it is in Jesus that renovates the mind is the same verity proclaimed by Christ when enshrouded by the pillowy cloud. It is verity still in this day. It will just as surely renovate the mind of everyone who receives it now as it renovated minds in the past.
The chapter sets forth God's plan so plainly and simply that all His children may lay hold upon truth, declaring the means He has appointed to keep unity in His church so its members may reveal a healthy religious experience to the world. That means conforming life to obedience to God's commandments and being united in Scriptural faith, bound together as one in Christ with lives hidden with Christ in God, practicing the golden rule of doing to others as they would have others do to them, bearing living testimony that the Father loves them even as He loves His Son, with powerful influence upon unbelievers. It means appreciating God's great gift, using heaven's provision made at infinite cost to draw souls to obedience to God's law, cooperating as laborers together with God, becoming partakers of the divine nature having escaped worldly corruption through lust, and living consistent lives in courtesy, fidelity, justice and mercy that magnify the perfect law which converts the soul. The instruction must be studied and obeyed and cannot be ignored or treated with indifference, for only doers of the Word receive the reward, keeping Satan from gaining advantage to control minds and counteract the Father's work. The chapter is to be read most solemnly and impressed upon minds, calling hard-spirited strangers to the Spirit's working to great reformation in life, words, works and spiritual understanding, catching the inspiration of angels and daily breathing heaven's atmosphere, teaching loyalty to God's law which must be kept in order to live and receive the blessings of obedience, standing as a warning every soul must take to be rescued from unseen peril and spiritual danger by setting churches in order, closing the door of unbelief, gathering every ray of light that substantiates truth, bearing aloft the banner for the last days, and making straight paths so the weak are not turned aside when seducing power increases to deceive if possible even the elect.
How Renewal Happens
Renewal in the spirit of the mind is decisive conversion requiring a changed life and character, not merely profession of faith, a name on church records, or a form of godliness. Those who have learned the truth as it is in Jesus must put off the corrupt old life and show by daily conduct that they are no longer living as before, enslaved by lust and blinded by worldly influence. This change is not mere improvement of the old life but complete transformation including dying to self and sin and entering a new life. Without dying to self religious profession remains restless and dissatisfied, a confession of faith without works, rather than renewal in knowledge and true holiness that crucifies to the world, makes alive in Christ, constitutes a living stone in the spiritual building, and unites the soul to God.
Renewal in holiness comes only after the soul surrenders and submits to God and His will, and that surrender requires a struggle. It requires subduing the desires and affections of the heart and searching out and controlling its secret motives, with humility and pure, peaceable, gentle love. The natural self must die so that Christ takes possession of the soul, replacing uncontrolled temper and passionate speech with Christlike meekness and self-control, rather than carrying an unconverted, hardhearted spirit onward. Christ's life is the pattern, in trusting the Father fully, obeying and submitting without reserve, serving others, and not seeking His own will.
The change is a complete transformation and new birth brought about only by the effective work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit disciplines and changes the character, developing moral strength and self-control, so that through grace and persistent effort a misshapen character can be corrected and abilities devoted to God's service. Heart and soul, mind and strength are entirely changed and revamped to become a new man in Christ Jesus by being born again, reconverted in speech and in spirit, with discernment between light and darkness and the imputed character of Christ as a Bible Christian in purpose and character. The carnal nature is thus transformed and renewed in holiness after the image of Christ's righteousness and true holiness through the Holy Spirit of Christ accompanying justifying grace, softening and purifying the heart and daily strengthening in righteousness and true holiness. The Spirit fashions the soul anew, putting away the old diseased life of sin and forming the new life after Christ's character, with fruits of unselfish service, self-denial, meekness, and truthful words.
The mind is renewed by beholding the glory of the Lord, which is character, and by dwelling upon God's character. By thinking and talking of Jesus until charmed with His character, the person is changed by faith from character to character, from glory to glory, by the Spirit of the Lord, beginning in the spirit of the mind and leading to putting on the new person created in righteousness and true holiness and shown in good works that glorify God. This dwelling upon God re-creates the soul in His image, strengthens character, guards the mind against evil, and brings every motive and desire into harmony with right so that selfish desire and worldly ambition do not sacrifice truth and uprightness. It is knowing the love of Christ in personal experience, becoming familiar with His divine-human life and making it one's own until His love of righteousness and hatred of iniquity is reproduced, as the Word studied and obeyed subdues every unholy attribute while the Spirit convicts of sin and faith working by love conforms body, soul, and spirit to His image.
Renewal comes through the truth of the Word received as hidden treasure, heard without rejecting and opposing it, by which the soul surrendered to God is regenerated and re-created in God's image and loves that truth. What seems barren and lifeless to the carnal mind becomes to the renewed spiritual mind full of divine beauty, light and life, and rich with spiritual meaning. It is not enough to put away wrong tendencies and habits; regenerating grace must form righteous principles in the heart as part of character, shown in the sanctification taught by the truth in spirit, words, and actions. As people receive and live by the light of the Word they grow in grace and knowledge of Christ, their flaws are exposed, and character is gradually improved and made holy through the truth.
The Holy Spirit goes with precious saving truth to hearts that seek truth as hidden treasure, working effective inner renewal that causes rejoicing in obedience to the truth, as when the everlasting gospel was preached in the 1844 movement. That same sanctifying work continues as the whole person is sanctified, flaws exposed and put away through living by the light received.
The renewing is a daily inward renewal even while the outward man perishes, by reaching forth individually to the righteousness of Christ as the prize. It is daily eating the bread of heaven, like taking the leaves of the tree of life each day with self lost in Christ, which restores the moral image of God that was obliterated. It means having the mind that was in Christ Jesus, walking as He walked and working as He worked in constant self-denial and daily doing good to others.
Righteousness in this renewal is received by faith and does not come from human worthiness or self-sufficiency, for God gives power to will and do what pleases Him and brings truth into the soul as an abiding principle in genuine experience. The fullness of grace provided through the merits of Christ must be remembered and used rather than forgotten, in earnest wrestling prayer, communion with God, and practice of holiness to resist temptation. Such communion softens and sanctifies the heart, brings knowledge and true holiness, and strengthens the soul against temptation, producing vigorous Christianity instead of dull, sleepy, indifferent service in which there is no safety.
The Spirit's work renews in knowledge and true holiness through faithful searching of heart to discover imperfections of character and put them away, especially under affliction, coming forth with humble spirit as gold purified reflecting Christ's image, not to leave a person happy and satisfied with self. The grace of truth thus renewing the mind enables people to receive and enjoy God's promises and to glorify God in body and spirit, cleansed by Christ's blood from unrighteousness to be holy in heart, life, and conduct, so that His death is not in vain.
New Life in Christ
To be renewed in the spirit of the mind is to become a new man in Christ Jesus through complete transformation and not mere improvement of the old life. It means dying to self and sin, disrobing of sinful nature and casting off the old man and his deeds, leaving imperfect traits of character behind. It means putting on the new man, which is Jesus Christ Himself, being renewed in the image of God and the likeness of Jesus Christ. This is a new birth and entire change and revamping of heart and soul, mind and strength by the effective work of the Holy Spirit, with reconversion in speech and in spirit rather than carrying an unconverted, hardhearted spirit onward.
The renewed person has the mind that was in Christ Jesus, walking as He walked and working as He worked. That walk is constant self-denial and daily doing good to others, following His example of trusting the Father fully, obeying and submitting without reserve, serving others and not seeking His own will. It is a daily inward renewing even while the outward man perishes, reaching forth individually to the righteousness of Christ as the prize. It comes through the fulness of grace provided through the merits of Christ, remembered and used in earnest wrestling prayer to resist temptation, producing vigorous Christianity instead of dull, sleepy, indifferent service.
This renewal is renewal in knowledge and true holiness, following surrender and submission to God in which the heart's desires and affections are subdued and its secret motives searched out and controlled. It means being crucified to the world and made alive in Christ, which alone, and not a form of godliness nor a name upon church records, constitutes a living stone in the spiritual building and unites the soul to God. It comes through communion with God, prayer, and the practice of holiness, softening and sanctifying the heart and strengthening the soul against temptation. It requires faithful searching of heart, especially under affliction, to discover imperfections of character and put them away, coming forth with humble spirit as gold purified and reflecting the image of Christ in humility and pure, peaceable, gentle love.
Such transformation brings the imputed character of Christ and makes the person complete in Him. It makes a Bible Christian in purpose and character, with discernment between light and darkness and change in mind and judgment. It raises the standard high and prepares for the city He is preparing, where He is not ashamed to call the renewed brethren, and only by this converting power coming into the heart to transform character can a person be fit for heaven and adorn the gospel with a well-ordered life and godly conversation. There Christ reigns in the heart by faith and brings senses, appetites and passions under control of the Spirit, sanctifying eyes and tongue and making ears refuse evil reports and suggestions, so there is no evil speaking, no evil surmising, no accusing of brethren, and no secret working to exalt self and disparage others.
Changed Conduct and Speech
Renewal in the spirit of the mind stands between putting off the old man corrupt according to deceitful lusts and putting on the new man created after God in righteousness and true holiness, and it proves itself in a complete putting away of the former conversation. Those taught by Christ as the truth is in Jesus no longer walk as other Gentiles in vanity of mind with darkened understanding alienated from the life of God, but put away lying and speak truth, are angry without sin and do not let the sun go down on wrath or hold abiding wrath, and give no place to the devil. They steal no more but labor honestly to give to the needy, let no corrupt communication proceed from the mouth but only edifying speech that ministers grace, grieve not the Holy Spirit by whom believers are sealed unto the day of redemption, and put away bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and evil-speaking with all malice to be kind, tenderhearted and forgiving as God for Christ's sake forgives. Merely coming to the banquet of truth while claiming to believe and even teaching the Word to others, yet working unrighteousness, is coming without a wedding garment and without eating the flesh and drinking the blood of the Son of God, and it shows the mind has not been renewed. Such renewal requires standing at the post on guard over self lest evil agencies lead to saying and doing what pleases the enemy, and doing the all required to withstand in the evil day so that words and deeds are fragrant with the holiness of truth.
The renewed mind is shown in a Christlike spirit of love and tenderness toward others, expressed through kind, healing words and actions rather than cruelty, bitterness, or oppression. The spirit of retaliation must be banished from the heart to make room for the Holy Spirit to dwell in the soul, producing the new life of righteousness and true holiness with forgiving love and leniency toward others. The natural self must die and Christ take possession of the soul, replacing uncontrolled temper and passionate speech with Christlike meekness and self-control.
When Christ abides in the heart the person becomes circumspect and reliable and speaks purely in a way that refreshes others, while idle talk and frivolous conduct instead contaminate others. The purity and holiness of Christ lead to rejecting a pretense of religion that brings no blessing, peace of conscience, or repose of faith. Without receiving strength and grace from Jesus the life remains vulnerable to temptation and harms others by its influence, so seeking this renewal is the first business of life without delay.
The converting power must come into the heart and transform the character before a person can be fit for heaven and adorn the gospel with a well-ordered life and godly conversation. This renewal puts Christ reigning in the heart by faith and brings the senses, appetites and passions under the control of the Spirit of God instead of under Satan for unrighteousness. It sanctifies the eyes and tongue and makes the ears refuse evil reports and suggestions from believers or unbelievers, so there is no evil speaking, no evil surmising, no accusing of brethren, and no secret working to exalt self and disparage others.
Renewal begins in the spirit of the mind and leads to putting on the new person, for thinking and talking of Jesus until charmed with His character changes people from character to character from glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord through faith. Beholding the glory of the Lord, which is character, and practicing the example of Christ in His Sonship and humanity in obedience to God's commands lets light shine before men in good works that glorify the Father in heaven. When Christ's Spirit fills the heart old habits are exchanged for new ones and the whole person is transformed beyond outward conduct or obvious faults, becoming loving, patient, kind, forbearing and courteous as harshness is softened. This inward renewal overcomes personal faults and replaces criticism and condemnation with kindness and love toward others. The Holy Spirit fashions the soul anew, putting away the old diseased life of sin and forming the new life after Christ's character, whose fruits are unselfish service, self-denial, meekness, truthful words, and a life that represents Christ.
It is not enough to put away wrong tendencies and habits or to turn from foolish speech and conduct; regenerating grace must form new righteous principles in the heart to become part of character, shown in the sanctification taught by the truth in spirit, words and actions. Renewal means allowing the Holy Spirit to discipline and change the character, developing moral strength and self-control, so that through grace and persistent effort a misshapen character can be corrected and abilities devoted to God's service. Christ's Spirit cannot dwell in an impure, unsanctified heart, so the Lord uses people cleansed from defilement and calls them to give up cherished faults and unchristlike traits.
Unity Service and Warning
The verse declares the means appointed to keep unity in the church so that its members reveal a healthy religious experience to the world. It means conforming the life to obedience to the commandments of God and being united in the faith of the Scriptures, bound together as one in Christ Jesus with lives hid with Christ in God. It means practicing the golden rule of doing to others as they would have others do to them, and bearing a living, abiding testimony that the Father loves them even as He loves His Son, with powerful influence upon the unbelieving world.
God turns His hand to purge away dross and tin and to melt and try His people to bring them to the highest standard. This renewal removes unbelief, pride of heart, seeking to be greatest and first, fault-finding and dissension. It produces humility and oneness, coming into the sanctifying circle of truth, walking humbly with God, being subject one to another, pressing together, heeding every word of God that creates oneness, walking circumspectly, and seeking those things above where Christ sits at the right hand of God, no longer seeking first place but drawn together to help one another be one as Christ is one with the Father.
When the old man is purged from every heart there is greater safety in discussion where ideas differ, and there will be unity even though every idea may not be exactly the same on all points when all hopes are centered in Jesus Christ and His Spirit pervades the soul. Until that purging has happened every door that leads to points of difference and debate among brethren must be closed, because there is too little of the love of Christ in hearts and something of a different character is needed. Without this decided change of heart and soul, mind and strength, this being born again and reconverted in speech and in spirit through the Holy Spirit unto discernment between light and darkness and the imputed character of Christ as a Bible Christian in purpose and character, there can be no Christian unity and no blending of medical missionary work with the gospel ministry, and there is no safety in continuing to bear responsible positions.
Being accepted by God through Christ involves accepting the obligation to obey His law and being renewed in the spirit of the mind, and acceptance cannot continue while a person persists in transgression. It means appreciating the great gift of God and using the provision made by heaven at infinite cost to draw souls to obedience to the law of God. It means co-operating with the great Master Worker as laborers together with God, becoming partakers of the divine nature having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust, and living consistent Christian lives in courtesy and unwavering fidelity, justice and mercy that magnify the law of God and demonstrate that the law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.
Those who serve others must first be worked by the Spirit and obey the divine will rather than rely on human sources or judgment, so that work is guided by God and in harmony with the divine mind. This inner renewal purifies and cleanses and prepares a person as a vessel unto honor to be used to God's glory, by surrender to be refined and elevated, putting on the new man day by day, advancing in knowledge of God's will, and living in true holiness. It enables clear spiritual discernment and faithful representation of God, which is especially needed for those in responsible positions. It is necessary for physicians whose piety, self-control, purity, holiness, or watchfulness has weakened, to make them acceptable workers, for Christ's Spirit cannot dwell in an impure, unsanctified heart, and the Lord calls those cleansed from defilement to give up cherished faults and put away unchristlike traits.
Renewal fulfills the baptism vow to practice the lessons taught in the life of Christ, following His example of self-denial and self-sacrifice in medical missionary work and ministering to those around them through sanctification of the truth which plants living principles of saving faith in hearts. It makes believers God's stewards who gladly use entrusted capabilities, means, and talents for the benefit of the world, for the advancement of righteousness and truth, for building up His work and enlarging His kingdom. It educates men and women for service, establishes churches in intelligent knowledge so they are not helplessly dependent on ministerial aid, keeps alive self-denial and self-sacrifice by working together, and gives efficiency to missionary operations by imparting the knowledge of Christ's love and tenderness.
The verse brings comfort and strength to one who suffers and cannot rest, giving peace and comfort in prayer when committing personal need to the Lord. It is to be earnestly desired day by day amid pain and sleeplessness as assurance of being a subject of His care and of His love. This renewing is a daily inward renewal even while the outward man perishes, by reaching forth individually to the righteousness of Christ as the prize, having the mind that was in Christ Jesus, walking as He walked and working as He worked in constant self-denial and daily doing good to others. It comes through the fulness of grace provided through the merits of Christ, remembered and used in earnest wrestling prayer to resist temptation rather than forgotten, producing a vigorous Christianity instead of a dull, sleepy, indifferent service in which there is no safety.
Renewal means standing at the post on guard over self lest evil agencies lead to saying and doing what pleases the enemy, and doing the all required to withstand in the evil day so that words and deeds are fragrant with the holiness of truth as taught by Christ as the truth is in Jesus between putting off the old man and putting on the new man. It is expressed in putting away lying and speaking truth, being angry without sin, not letting the sun go down on wrath, giving no place to the devil, stealing no more but laboring to give to the needy, letting no corrupt communication proceed but only edifying speech that ministers grace, not grieving the Holy Spirit, putting away bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and evil speaking with all malice, and being kind and tenderhearted and forgiving as God for Christ's sake forgives. It is inspired instruction that must be studied and obeyed and cannot be ignored, disregarded, or treated with indifference, for only doers receive the reward, and it keeps Satan from gaining advantage to control minds, counteract the heavenly Father's work, and stir up sin, especially for those advancing God's cause. It stands as a warning that every soul must take to be rescued from unseen peril and spiritual danger, calling for churches to be set in order and the door of unbelief to be closed, for gathering every distinct ray of light that substantiates truth and bearing aloft the banner for the last days, and for making straight paths for the feet so the weak are not turned out of the way when seducing power increases to deceive if possible the very elect.
Seeking this renewal should be the first business of life, without delay. When Christ abides in the heart a person becomes circumspect and reliable and speaks purely in a way that refreshes others, while idle talk and frivolous conduct contaminate others and a pretense of religion brings no blessing, peace of conscience, or repose of faith, and those who do not receive strength and grace from Jesus remain vulnerable to temptation and can harm others by influence. Being renewed requires entire consecration before the old year closes while the remnant of time still remains, putting off the old man with his deeds and putting on the new man, refusing to continue the very things the Lord has forbidden though the enemy strives to keep souls doing them, and refusing to spend the Lord's money in ambitious buying of costly Christmas and New Year presents, though little presents for children may not be amiss.
Dwelling upon God's character renews the mind and re-creates the soul in His image. This renewal strengthens character, guards the mind against evil, and brings every motive and desire into harmony with right. So selfish desire and worldly ambition do not lead a person to sacrifice truth and uprightness.