WAR WITHIN! From the experiential point of view, the basic law that governs the believer is "the law" of the renewed mind. It is this law to which Paul refers when he writes, "But I see another law in my members, warring against THE LAW OF MY MIND, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members" (Rom 7:23). The captivity to which he refers is being brought to a point where he must contend with unwanted thoughts. They do not leave us simply because we do not want them. Any inclination that competes against this basic law of our mind is referred to as "another law." It is "another" because it is an intrusion, and does not reflect the true desires of the one who is in Christ Jesus. It is like a Philistine in the midst of the camp of Israel. -- Tomorrow:
"But I see another law in my members, WARRING against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members" (Rom 7:23).
Devotion 21 of 23
THE MAIN LAW IN EXPERIENCE
There is a condition created in the new birth that enables the redeemed one to identify this competing law – "another law." When the heart is purified, it finds its delight in the Lord, and engages in a quest for "the things that are above, where Christy sits on the right hand of God" (Col 3:1-2). There is a preference for the things of God. David referred to this kind of mind-set when he said, "ONE THING have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple" (Psa 27:4). His compelling desire was the result of his perception of the Lord Himself, particularly through His promises. Paul, taking advantage of the superior advantages of the New Covenant, and embracing its "better promises," said it this way. "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this ONE THING I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil 3:13-14).
This "one thing" mentality is essential to the understanding of the nature of spiritual life and its warfare. It is not possible to make any sense out of life if the eye is not single (Matt 6:22), and the heart is not pure (Matt 5:8). In fact, for those who are double minded, it is not possible to think correctly about the critical matters of life, because "their heart is divided" (Hos 10:2). Many of the remedial ministries of the modern church are nothing more than an attempt to patch up divided hearts, and calm down double minds. Such efforts are all in vain.
Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot SEE the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). That is, apart from the new birth, the kingdom of God makes no sense to men. That is why they do not desire it, or seek it first (Matt 6:33), or seize it as "a precious prize" (Matt 11:12, Amplified Bible).
For those who have been born again, and have an insatiable appetite for the things of God, the unregenerate part of them – "the flesh" – cries out for attention, like the impenitent thief. From one point of view, that part of us still possesses a powerful influence. If we do not crucify it, we ourselves will die. That is why it is written, "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live" (Rom 8:13). Make no mistake about this; if the flesh is not "mortified," it will dominate.
Its deadness, however, is only experienced by faith, the principle that lifts us out of it. Believers are to think like God. In fact, they have been "renewed" in order to think like Him (Col 3:10). In Scripture, this thinking process is called "reckoning." "Likewise RECKON ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom 6:11).
THE ART OF RECKONING
The term "reckon" does not imply that we are not, in fact, "dead." What it does signify is that there is a part of us that remains alive, or responsive, to sin. That is not, however, the essential part of us, and may therefore be rejected, and refused the prominence it demands. We "reckon" ourselves to be "dead indeed unto sin" by "abstaining from fleshly lusts that war against the soul" (Rom 6:11; 1 Pet 2:11). This abstinence is not an end of itself, but is the means to an end.
Our real objective is to appropriate the things toward which "the law of our mind" inclines us. The pursuit of the "kingdom of God and His righteousness" can only be properly engaged in as we "reckon" our essential persons to be really dead to sin. This contrary law within our unregenerate parts contradicts the "law of our mind."
Thought has a preeminent place in the kingdom of God. That is why spiritual shallowness, simplicity, and childish reasoning are out of place (1 Cor 14:20). Jesus did not induct an era primarily marked by emotion or feeling. While these things most certainly exist, they are subordinate to sound thought. The Gospel, which is "the power of God unto salvation," is comprised of thoughts addressed to the mind. God has written His law upon the renewed part of us – our mind as well, and that writing attests to the truth of the Gospel (Heb 10:16).
We have a mandate to bring every thought" into captivity "to the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor 10:5). We obey this commission by bringing our thinking into line with the word of God. When thoughts stray and are out of harmony with what God has revealed, we are to turn them around, taking them captive in order to obedience. There is no true obedience without the involvement of the mind.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for sanctifying the area of thought.