If we’re to glorify Christ with our lives, then I believe this process begins with a renewal of our minds, which will translate into our actions. 2 Corinthians 5 says that all those who are in Christ are new creations. Romans 12 begins with the challenge that we should not be conformed to the world but be transformed by the renewing of our minds. The first three chapters of 1 Corinthians describe the contrast between the foolishness of the cross and the wisdom of the world: God will destroy the wisdom of the wise and set aside the intelligence of the intelligent (1 Cor. 1:19). Many other New Testament passages give the same type of instruction, making it clear that there is a call to a new way to thinking for those who follow Christ.
Mind blowing, seriously
So I wanted to try something new this year as kind of a New Year’s Resolution. If Christianity is about mind renewal, then what I put into my mind must matter. I’m working to renew mine by committing passages of Scripture to memory, one paragraph of text for every month in 2019. I began with 1 Corinthians 1:4-7 for January, and now I’m working on 2 Corinthians 1:3-7. And so far so good! (Only 1 month in—blah, ask me how I’m doing in June for the real scoop!)
I’ll admit, this is not an automatic done-deal kind of experience for the common Christian (including pastors). Yes, we’ve all heard or been told to hide God’s word in our heart so we won’t sin against Him. But have we actually done that? Am I putting into my mind the words of God? Do I take time in my day to try and thicken my grey matter by the practical routine of committing to memory the words and phrases of Scripture? Reading the Bible is a wonderful habit; memorizing the Bible is a step beyond. Yet, I want to put into practice what I believe about Christianity: namely, this is a faith that leads to action based upon strong convictions. As a good friend used to say, “Belief determines behavior.”
Memorization of Scripture is a tangible method to work on the belief part. I’ll trust the Lord to produce in me the correlating behaviors!
Glorify. Train. Engage. 