Our grandchildren are pretty disciplined about their homework, so part of Peggy’s and my time with them last week was solving math problems as a team. At one point, Abigail said, “When Daddy helps us with our math, he teaches us to think about the problem differently.” I thought, “Now that’s engagement.” It occurred me that, as he helps them develop their math skills, he is also building up their minds with regards to reasoning, creativity, perseverance, and confidence.
“Think differently”—in our transformation series (which began on June 10), we’ve observed it is God who steadily transforms us into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. He is the master craftsman, and “we are his workmanship.”1 Yet we as recipients have an active role in our transformation, as well. So, let’s look, and let’s begins with our minds, for Paul writes, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”2 Then how do we as believers—born of and indwelled by the Spirit of God—align our thinking and the actions that follow? Over time, I’ve noticed three though focal points emerge in my thought life, and I share them here in hopes they are helpful to you.
Focus on what is true. We are surrounded daily by misleading falsehood and discouraging deception, so I find Paul’s exhortations to be helpful. “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.”3 And taking the offensive, “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”4
Focus on what is eternal. “This world is fading away, along with everything that people crave.”5 We do well to “fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”6
Focus on where we’re going. “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”7 And “forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, . . . press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”8
Yes, think differently. And be transformed.
Father, “All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.”9 “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”10 Thank you. In Christ I pray. Amen.
1 Ephesians 2:10 ESV
2 Romans 12:2 ESV
3 Philippians 4:8 NLT
4 2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV
5 1 John 2:17 NLT)
6 2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV
7 Colossians 3:2-3 ESV
8 Philippians 3:13-14 ESV
9 Psalm 119:160 NIV
10 Isaiah 26:3 NLT
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Paul Nordman—Author 