Christians, like all humans, are in control of their own mindset. God has given us free will and
we, as a race, can choose to do what we want individually. That is God’s gift to us. With that gift
comes trials, temptations, considerations, and decision-making. It is truly a great gift if one can learn
to bring their body under subjection. The Apostle Paul understood this principle: “But I discipline my
body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” (1 Corinthians 9:27).
Everyone who comes to Christ must change. We come to Christ because we are not perfect,
and we know that we can do better. Christians are to mold themselves into the image of Christ and
fashion our lives to mirror holiness. To do this, we have to know where to set our minds. Paul wrote
concerning this sentiment to the Colossians.
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you
died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also
will appear with Him in glory. Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” Colossians 3:1-5
Through the letter to the Colossians, we understand as Christians that we were raised with
Christ in His resurrection. This being the case, we need to seek those things which are above,
which are all things holy and righteous. Paul would go on to teach that we need to set our minds on
things above. The word “set” is often overlooked. This word means that you can change your mind
to a different setting. Whatever you had your mindset on before can be changed to what you need
to set your mind on now. It is all about the changing of the mind. As Christians, we are no longer to
set our minds on things of this earth. The reason for this is because we have died to sin, and the life
that we lived in the world is now dead to us. By the glory of God and the resurrection of Jesus
Christ, we are now hidden inside Jesus Christ by the power of God. This simple truth is what Paul
was teaching in Colossians chapter three.
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you
may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2
According to the text, Christians are to be waiting for the appearance of Jesus Christ. It is the
case that we are waiting for Christ we must put to death our members on the earth. Paul is teaching
that fleshly sins need to be done away with. This is where the hard part comes in. It is easy to become a Christian and to come to church every Sunday to worship the Lord our God. However, it is a
whole different struggle to give up sin in our lives. Sure, the intent to remove sin from our lives at
the point of baptism and being put into Jesus Christ is there. That intent is real, and people strive
with a good heart to please God according to His will. The problem with sin occurs as time passes.
Christians get complacent, they get comfortable, and they forget that they have died to self and now
live for God. Paul is reminding the Colossians and us that we need to be waiting for Jesus Christ in
purity, both in mind and body.
God has granted all of us free will, and we get to choose what we do with it. Choose to do
right, choose to change your life, choose to bring your body under subjection, and choose to reformulate your mind with the truth in righteousness.
Going forward in our quest to grow in faithfulness and spirituality, let us keep in mind that we
hold the key to our willpower and our willingness to decide to live a life more worthy to God.
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you
may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2