Mind Reader?

For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:16 NASB

Here we go. What a paradox. Who knows the mind of the Lord, yet we are challenged to have the mind of Christ, or the Lord. I have trouble knowing my own mind most days.

If we have the mind of Christ then would we not know the mind of the Lord that we could instruct Him (God)? Yet, the Old Testament (Isaiah 40:13) as well as the New speaks to the fact that we cannot instruct Him. Personally, I am glad I can’t because I am sure I would screw things up really fast. So, what is “the mind of Christ”? How do I get it? If I have it at salvation then why do I still have the old thoughts and desires?

Along the journey of now, some 50-plus years of struggling with this statement a few things have come to light. Here are a few verses to consider and meditate upon today:

But you did not learn Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. Ephesians 4:20-24 NASB

Tucked in among a discourse on how to treat your spouse are these verses:

…so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. Ephesians 5:26-27 NASB

The “her” is the church collective, the church of Christ, the solution to the dilemma is found in the phrase “by the washing of water with the word.” I have already confessed to you dear reader that I struggle to read the Bible every day, but what I didn’t say is I do think about the passages I wrote sermons about and now in retirement write books about. The Scriptures consume my thinking at times. I challenge you, what do you think about? Do you allow the Word of God to wash through the dark reaches of your mind?