Reading this really made me think how important it is for me to believe and then seek wisdom from the Lord. Our minds are going to be set on this world, it is what they have been set on our entire lives but when we accept Jesus and understand what He has done we become new in Him and the Spirit in us is what helps us change. Verses 11 and 12 say, “For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God…” It’s a mind change that leads to a heart transformation. Verse 13 is an extension of verse 12 which goes on to say, “While we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.”
Think about this statement from Warren Wiersbe, “Salvation is not only a change in position (set free from the slavery of sin), but it is also a change in attitude, appetite, ambition, and action. The same grace that redeems us also reforms our lives and makes us godly.” We are new creations and filled by the Spirit who alters the way we think and helps guide us to say no to ourselves and the way we used to think and He will motivate us to do what is right. The Spirit in us is fed by prayer and studying God’s word. When we accept Jesus and seek wisdom we get wisdom but when we believe in Jesus and don’t embrace the changes in our heart we stay stuck in the crud we have always known and done. This is not what God desires from us and what our walk with Jesus should look like.
We should understand what Jesus did and how He has set us free from our sin and has given is another way of thinking. Verse 14 says, “He gave His life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us His very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.” There is so much to our free gift, when we don’t take it lightly and say I know Jesus I am free to do anything I want. We were sinners but we are new creations in Christ. Our minds are renewed and we are no longer slaves to our sin. In Titus chapter 3 verses 4-5 Paul says it perfectly. “But – when God our Savior revealed His kindness and love, He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.” Let’s open our hearts and minds and let the Spirit of God lead us to desire a relationship with Jesus and stop us from living out what we desire or think of.
Look at what Psalm 51 verse 12 says, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.” We need to fill that Spirit in us and continue to learn and grow so our mind changes and our hearts grow to do what is right and pleasing to God. Amen