Romans 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh
set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according
to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
We (Dave and Heidi) have our alarm clock set for 6:15am every
morning. The dial is tuned to our local radio station and every morning the
alarm peacefully alerts us with a Christian song that it’s time to rise and
shine. We like the alarm settings just the way they are. However, we happen to
have a four year old who loves electronic things, buttons, and dials. One
morning we woke up to the blast of the alarm at full volume. The DJs were
talking about something between songs, so we basically woke up to someone
yelling at us. Not a great way to start the day.
How many of you have settings that you like just right, on
your computer, on your alarm, on phone, whatever?
Our minds have settings too. Our original settings are those
of the flesh. The Old Adam wells us and easily fills our mind, fixing it on
selfish desires. But in baptism, in justification, we are given a new mind, new
settings. Our new settings reflect who we are in Christ. Our new settings are
set on the “things of the Spirit.” What are the Spirit’s things? Love, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control. Good stuff!
When Luther instructs us to remember our baptism daily, this
is the daily setting of our minds. Luther knew, as the Spirit knows, we need
daily reminders of what Christ has done, so that we can live what Christ has done in our relationships.
Here are some setting-our-mind ideas we use at our house:
Post Bible verses on your fridge, on your mirrors, on your
walls – surrounding yourself with the Word is like auto-reboot on your
computer. Change them occasionally for a reset.
A cross in every room- it’s hard to argue and look at a cross
at the same time.
Pray for others – it’s hard to hold on to selfishness when
your lips are murmuring the needs of those you love.