by Henry Knapp
Garbage in, garbage out. GIGO. Flawed or nonsense input produces nonsense output. Bad assumptions yield bad conclusions. You are what you eat.
That is the reason your parents warned you not to hang out with the bad kids. It matters, it really matters who you spend time with, what you fill your time with. We all kind of know that to be true, but it always bears repeating—you become like those you hang out with. Or, as Paul puts it, “Bad company corrupts good character” (1 Corinthians 15:33).
Of course, salvation is not a matter of our character; it is not a question of good input or quality assumptions. Salvation occurs in our lives precisely where we are NOT at our best, or even good at all. Salvation is God’s act exactly when and where we can not. Knowing this to be true, having experienced this great salvation, how can we respond with joy and faithfulness? Paul directs his readers, those who have already experienced the gift of grace, to continue on in that grace, and to “be transformed by the renewal of the mind” (Romans 12:2).
Part of our discipleship—a crucial part of every disciple’s life—is the renewing of the mind. This is not the only way we are transformed by the Spirit into Christ’s image (2 Corinthians 3:18), but it is a tried, true, and biblical way. If we are to be a community of disciples, men and women committed to being shaped by Christ and following the Lord, then the renewing of the mind is not an option.
What all does that mean, then, to have our minds “renewed.” Well, certainly, when we spend time learning together, growing and maturing in our biblical understanding, we are being fashioned to think like God, to reason faithfully, to share in the thoughts of God Himself. What do we fill our brains with? We will never find anything as good as Scripture itself. Wanting to be like Christ means, in part, putting the correct input into our minds. Hanging out with Jesus renews our minds, shapes us to be like Him.
At Hebron, we are always pursuing ways of being exposed to the Scriptures. Of course, the Bible forms the basis of our worship together, as in our Groves and Bible studies. There are small groups available for you, and if you are not already in a weekly study, please let us suggest some to you. This summer, a number of short-term groups will be starting soon (be looking out for more information). Of course, the Faith and Life Seminar this May, 14-15, is a wonderful opportunity, as is the Christian Discipleship Institute, a more in-depth and theologically-oriented program. Contact us for more information on these and other ways you can experience “the renewing of your mind!”
