The Lordship of Jesus Christ: Embracing the Renewed Mind
The journey of faith is not merely a declaration but a transformation—a continual alignment of our thoughts, actions, and priorities with the Word of God. To call Jesus Christ “Lord” is not just to acknowledge His divine authority but to actively yield every part of our being to His Lordship. It is in this surrender that we access the fullness of life in Christ and manifest the Kingdom of God on earth.
The Renewed Mind: Aligning Thoughts with the Word
Romans 12:1-2 exhorts us to offer ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, and to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Why is this renewal so vital? Because godly thoughts lead to godly actions. If we desire to see a change in how we live, we must first address how we think.
Every thought that is not submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ is, as Philippians 2:3 describes, vain glory—empty pride or opinion. It is void of power and divine purpose. To think as Christ thought is to adopt a mindset of humility, service, and intentionality. Jesus never sought self-promotion; He embodied a life of service, esteeming others above Himself.
Philippians 2:4 challenges us to shift from selfishness to selflessness, a posture uncommon in human nature. This mindset, however, is not weakness but strength. As children of God, born of His Spirit, we operate from a position of divine authority and power. The call to humility is a call to reflect the very mind of Christ.
Serving with a Heart Like Jesus
In Matthew 14:13-18, we witness Jesus’ heart for service. After a long day of ministering, the disciples wanted to send the crowds away to find their own food. It was reasonable—they were tired, and so was Jesus. Yet Jesus, moved by compassion, prioritized serving others over His own rest. This is the heart of a servant, the very essence of His Lordship.
Galatians 5:13 reminds us that our spiritual freedom is not for self-indulgence but for serving one another. This is a choice we make, an intentional act of directing our thoughts and actions toward service. Philippians 2:5 urges us to “let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” While we cannot possess Jesus Christ’s literal mind, we can adopt His thoughts because His Word dwells in us.
The Greek definition of the word “mind” emphasizes the act of directing one’s thoughts toward something. To have the mind of Christ is to intentionally seek and strive for His perspective, His priorities, and His purpose.
The Priority of the Kingdom
Jesus lived with a singular focus: doing the will of the Father. In John 4:34, He said, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me.” His obedience was so integral to His life that He likened it to nourishment. This prioritization of God’s will is the key to walking in the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Matthew 6:33 encapsulates this principle: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” This is not just a command but an invitation to align our lives with divine order. When we seek God’s Kingdom first, everything else falls into place.
Jesus Himself recognized that He could do nothing apart from the Father (John 8:28-29). This oneness with the Father is the foundation of His ministry and the example we are called to follow. How do we cultivate this oneness? Through the Word, the Spirit, and the teachings of those gifted to minister His truth.
Greater Works Through Oneness
In John 14:12, Jesus declared that those who believe in Him would do the works He did—and even greater works. What are these greater works? During His earthly ministry, Jesus spoke the Word, healed the sick, and freed people from bondage. These are works we are called to continue.
However, the “greater works” He referred to are tied to the baptism and manifestation of the Holy Spirit, which became available only after His ascension. This empowerment enables us to lead others into the fullness of God’s Spirit, a privilege unavailable during Jesus’ earthly ministry.
Walking in the Lordship of Jesus Christ means stepping into this divine calling with boldness. It is not about our strength but about His Spirit working through us.
Setting Our Minds on Things Above
Colossians 3:1-5 calls us to set our minds on things above, not on earthly things. This mirrors Matthew 6:33 and underscores the importance of prioritizing God’s Kingdom. To renew our minds is to align our thoughts with the eternal perspective of heaven, allowing that perspective to shape our daily lives.
Jesus exemplified this alignment perfectly. His thoughts, actions, and purpose were always in harmony with the Father’s will. He did not act independently but lived in complete oneness with God (John 10:30). This is the model we are to emulate.
Practical Steps to a Renewed Mind
To be established in the power of the renewed mind under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, we must:
- Align Our Thoughts and Actions with Oneness in Christ
Jesus prayed for us to be one with Him and the Father (John 17:21). This oneness begins in the mind, where we intentionally direct our thoughts toward God’s Word and His will.
- Walk in Obedience to God’s Word
Obedience is the evidence of Lordship. When we submit to God’s Word, we position ourselves to experience His promises and His power.
- Believe and Act on God’s Word
Faith without works is dead (James 2:26). Believing God’s Word compels us to take action, living out His truth in tangible ways.
Conclusion
The Lordship of Jesus Christ is not a passive concept but an active, daily surrender of our thoughts, actions, and priorities to Him. As we renew our minds and align with His Word, we grow in oneness with the Father and His Son. This transformation empowers us to live with purpose, serve with humility, and walk in the power of the Spirit.
Let us embrace the mind of Christ, seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness. In doing so, we will not only fulfill our calling but also reveal the glory of God’s Kingdom to the world.
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