Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 2:16, “We have the mind of Christ.” Because this is true we should know this is true and not be afraid to utilize His mind in our daily living. However, at the same time we should also understand the power of the statement of John found in 1:26-27, Luke 3:16, Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:7 and Acts 13:25. “I am not worthy to untie His sandals.”Among you stands one whom you do not recognize, who is coming after me. I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandal!” There is a progression of spiritual growth as we read these texts and understand what happened to these people. For in Acts 13:50-51 Luke writes that the Jewish community refuses the new message being put forth by the Followers of the Way and ejects them from Pisidian Antioch. However, before leaving Paul and Barnabas “shook the dust off their feet.” This is a reference to Jesus’ instructions to His disciples, “And if anyone will not welcome you or listen to your message, shake the dust off your feet as you leave that house or that town. I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for the region of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town!” Matthew 10:14-15 NET2. We who are, indeed, born again Believers and Followers of Jesus Christ must not be afraid of those who say demeaning things about us and wish harm upon us. We are to dust the dirt of our shoes and move along. These poor souls are without Christ and do not understand who we are in Christ, they cannot make judgment upon those who are spiritual, “who have the mind of Christ.”
Believers do need to understand the importance of not only ‘who’ we are, but ‘Whose’ we are. Followers of Jesus Christ belong to Him for we are His possession, “So as you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but chosen and precious in God’s sight, you yourselves, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood and to offer spiritual sacrifices that are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it says in scripture, “Look, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and whoever believes in him will never be put to shame.” So you who believe see his value, but for those who do not believe, the stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, and a stumbling-stone and a rock to trip over. They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. You once were not a people, but now you are God’s people. You were shown no mercy, but now you have received mercy.” 1 Peter 2:4-10. Yes, indeed, Christians ARE different from those who do not know Him.
But, there is more. We must understand what it is John was saying, “I am not worthy to untie the strap of His sandal.” He is greater than we are and, in fact, we are but His servants. We stand in His shadow, but we must also understand His Spirit lives within our bodies, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If someone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, which is what you are. Guard against self-deception, each of you. If someone among you thinks he is wise in this age, let him become foolish so that he can become wise. For the wisdom of this age is foolishness with God.” 1 Corinthians 3:16-19. Our culture is being deceived by Satan, the god of this world. The people who are spiritually blind and on their way to Hell are being used by the Devil and utilized by some who think they are Believers, perhaps they are, to bring harm to the spiritual souls. We must be aware of this and “Finally, be strengthened in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Clothe yourselves with the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. For this reason, take up the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand your ground on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand.” Ephesians 10 -13. Stand firm!!
Jesus is Lord…
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