“For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Rom 8:6; NKJV). To be carnally or fleshly minded describes our human nature before we were Christians, spiritually dead (Eph 2:1), separated from God (Isa 59:2) and the influence of the Holy Spirit. When we
believed in Jesus (Rom 10:9-10) and made Him Lord of our life we came under the influence of the Holy Spirit who came to live in us (1 Cor 6:19). However, we didn’t become spiritually or God minded automatically. We read in the Bible that we must decide to turn our backs on the ways of the world and allow the Holy Spirit to wash our minds from the ways of the world and regenerate them with the things of God (Rom 12:2).
Jesus came to the earth in absolute obedience to the will of His Father, to the extent that he died as a sacrifice on a cross to pay for our sins (Heb 10:9-10). Are we 100% sold out for God and spiritually minded or do our minds still need some work? Don’t be discouraged, renewing our minds is a process. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly” (Col 3:16; NKJV). As we spend time in His word, the Holy Spirit will take that word and use it to wash, renew and regenerate our minds. “To be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Rom 8:6b; NKJV). That’s the God kind of life and peace, a fulfilled life in Him “and the peace of God which passes all understanding” (Phil 4:7a). Does that interest you? It does me!
“God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him” (Acts 10:38; NKJV). Doing good – that’s what Jesus did all day! If we want to be more like Jesus then we should be attempting to do the same.
The Bible encourages us in this endeavour. Psalm 37:3 says, “Trust in the Lord and do good”. In the New Testament, Paul urges Titus to be, “eager and enthusiastic about (living a life that is good and filled with) beneficial deeds” (Titus 2:14b AMPC). Also, in 1 Tim 6:18 we read, “charge them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be liberal and generous of heart, ready to share (with others)”. Paul told the Galatians not to get tired of doing good and he told the Ephesians that they were created for good works (Eph 2:10).
Going back to our very first verse in Acts 10:38, did you notice that it says that Jesus did the good works because God was with Him? Well, God is with us too and so if we ask Him, He can help us to do something good today too! Remember it doesn’t have to be anything spectacular, something as simple as a smile or a hug can be a good work. So, do something good today, you’ll be glad you did!
In many places in scripture the word walk is used to show us how we should live as Christians. In 1 John 2:6; (NKJV) we are told that we should “walk just as He walked”, that is as Jesus walked on the earth. We should, “walk in love, just as Jesus loves us” (Eph
5:2), walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8b) and walk according to His truth or the word (3 John 1:3-4). We are to walk carefully, not deviating from God’s directions (Eph 5:15).
God’s people are to “walk worthy of the calling with which they were called” (Eph 4:1; NKJV), with humility, gentleness, patience, love, unity and peace (Eph 4:2-3). We are exhorted to walk as, “children of light” (Eph 5:8; NKJV) in a way that God would approve of “in all goodness, righteousness and truth” (v9). Importantly, the apostle Paul also directed us to walk in the good works that God designed for us (Eph 2:10b). This would include blessing, helping and caring for others and sharing the gospel.
If we are humble, we know that we can do nothing without God and can only walk in His ways through Christ who strengthens us (Phil 4:13). This may all seem very daunting, how is it possible for us? The apostle Paul wrote to the Galatians, “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh” (Gal 5:16; NKJV). We need to allow the Holy Spirit to change us, discipline our flesh (mind, will and emotions) and direct our lives to walk as Christians (Gal 5:16-26). He will do this if we allow Him to.