“The Same Mind and the Same Train of Thought.”

“The Same Mind and the Same Train of Thought.”

In other words, the same way of thinking! In the deepest sense of the word, being converted means to receive a different mind, a different mindset. Acts 3:19.

The most common mindset is to seek one’s own at every opportunity, to live for oneself, always thinking of advantages for oneself and making a good show in front of people and being honored by them. All sinners conduct themselves in the same way.

A bad train of thought is an automatic consequence of this bad mindset. However, when a person has received a new mind, the mind of Christ, things are the complete opposite of what they were before. Then one thinks of the others’ best and lets others have the advantages. Then one’s interests revolve around pleasing God instead of seeking the honor of man.

You can hear statements such as “laying hold of more of the mind of Christ,” but Paul expresses himself differently: “But we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Cor. 2:16. This matter was decided and absolute.

There are actually only two mindsets or ways of thinking—the old and the new! And these two are glaring contrasts. You either follow the one or the other. However, you can, up to a certain point, attempt to live the New Testament life with the old mindset, but it will obviously never succeed properly. It will only be patchwork or some substitute.

The only thing that amounts to anything is a complete change of mind and way of thinking.

In the Swedish Bible it says in 1 Corinthians 2:15 that no one can fathom a spiritual person. Why can a carnal person not do it? Simply because a spiritual person has a completely different way of thinking, which is unknown to a soulish person. His thoughts, words, and actions arise from different motives than the ones that are commonly known. Those who are spiritual have replaced their mindset, and with it, there automatically comes a completely different way of thinking.

All earthly things are of great importance to a soulish person, whereas they are of no significance at all to a spiritual person. For example, a spiritual person thinks like this: “This doesn’t matter at all, and neither does that! This is not important in one way or another. It doesn’t pique my interest.

He does as Jesus says: “One thing is needed . . . .” Luke 10:42. This one thing is to do God’s will in everything with great joy and zeal, to live according to the Word, to be transformed in our inner man, to live for others, and to serve and give! And since only this one thing is needed, everything else is obviously unnecessary!

Paul considered all these unnecessary things as dung and loss. Unfortunately, he has very few followers.

The vast majority still consider all kinds of things as gain and an advantage because they have neither changed their mind nor their way of thinking! They state it loudly themselves, in season and out of season! If you are also one of them, then act according to this true adage: “Better late than never!” Lay hold of a different mind now! Replace the old mind today!