The importance of a transformed servant heart in the cause of the gospel in vital for healthy development and growth of followers of Jesus Christ. For the past week I have been on study leave, so have not had the responsibility of the day to day leadership of Glen Waverley Anglican Church. During this time I have made some progress on research into what it means for the local church to BE the body of Christ. As part of this, I have been reflecting on how we might better encourage followers of Jesus Christ to give themselves to the service of God and his people.
In GWAC's monthly E-Zine (available online www.gwac.org.au and click GWAC update) I have written concerning the dynamic link between the process of maturation and the mobilisation of believers into active gifted service, so I do not intend to repeat myself here, but I would like to reflect a little more on the link between a servant heart and the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:1-2)
The context of this exhortation for believers to be about the process of "mind-renewing" is Paul's teaching on gift enabled service within and for the Body of Christ. When Paul says "That you may prove what God's will is..."(vs 2) he is speaking of the intimate connection between having a mind that understands Gods will and doing God's will through the use of the gifts he has given to the Body of Christ. Interestingly, between verse 2 (the renewal of your mind) and verse 4 (the introduction of the 'Body' metaphor) Paul exhorts each believer NOT "...to think of him more highly than he ought." Rather, says Paul, the believer (he or she) is to think with sound judgement in keeping with the will of God that has already been spoken of. Elsewhere, Paul develops this theme of the way a believer thinks about himself, by encouraging the believer to have the same attitude as Christ Jesus, and to follow his example of humble service. (Phil 2:1-11)
The renewing of the mind, on the part of each believer, re-positions that believer to be better able to test, authenticate and do the will of God. This good pleasing and acceptable service only accomplished through service that is driven by a servant heart. One of the biggest hindrances to the advance of the gospel of God found in Jesus Christ is the lack of will on the part of the follower of Jesus Christ to have their mind renewed so that individuals are sold out for 'service of the King of Kings'. More on this next week!
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