"LET THIS MIND BE IN YOU WHICH WAS ALSO IN CHRIST JESUS."
CARNAL MIND V/S. DIVINE MIND.
Which mind did Christ have while on Earth, and which one are we to have?
The Only definition of sin:-- Breaking God's Holy Law--the 10 Commandments.
Sermons and Talks p. 228 "Keep the Commandments"
"It is the privilege of every sinner to ask his teacher what sin really is. Give me a definition of sin. We have one in 1 John 3. "Sin is the transgression of the law." Now this is the only definition of sin in the whole Bible. " --E.G.White.
I John 3:4 "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law."... Ezekiel 18:20 "The soul that sinneth, it shall die"
I Cor. 15:34 "Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak [this] to your shame." John 14:15 "If ye love Me keep my commandments."
Matt 1:21 "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins." --[not in their sins or only from the penalty of their sins]
1John 2:4 "He that saith I know Him and keepeth not His commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him."
Psa. 119:165 "Great peace have they which love Thy Law and nothing shall offend them."
Psalms 40:8 "I delight to do thy will O my God; Yea Thy law is within my heart."
[The ten commandments were never nailed to the cross. They will never be abolished. They are a transcript of God's character, and unchangeable as His character.]
1John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." --- (All God's promises are conditional)
MAT 5:48 "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."
PHI 3:15 "Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you."
PHI 2:5 "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:"
SOME THOUGHTS:--
[True confession of sin includes: forsaking sin and making restitution. Christ has paid the penalty for our sins; not so we can continue sinning, but that we can be overcomers; living a victorious life; following His example by the power that He has made available to us. What a Wonderful Saviour!! If sin was to be perpetuated in the world to come, what better would it be than our present rebellious, chaotic existence. What would it be like after several million years??
On the other hand, if it is impossible for us to live above sin by the power made freely available; Satan's claim that God's requirements were unjust would win the great controversy, which in turn would be the end of the stability of the whole universe. By Christ's life, death and resurrection, Satan is a Defeated Foe. His power is broken and Christ is the Victor. We may be Victors with Him and by Him.
If we are not Victors with Christ, we are Slaves to Satan and his devices. If anyone doubts this, just look around you and notice the plight of those who have allowed themselves to be ensnared by his wiles such as drug use of all descriptions: legalised or illicit etc. Look at the plight and slavery of those who break any of God's commandments. And yet many still believe them to be a curse!! I am longing to live in a world where everyone is keeping God's Commandments.!! What a lovely environment it will be to associate with such a community. God does not mock us by expecting us to achieve the impossible. It was possible for Adam and Eve to follow His directions. There has never been any reasonable excuse for sin even after the first fall, because God had a plan to rescue mankind from the pit of sin and this plan is successful as millions throughout the ages will confess.]
ROM 8:7 "Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be."
[Christ was always subject to the Law of God; even as a youth. From this text it is clear that He never at any time in His life, partook of a carnal mind which is often referred to as the Carnal Nature. Christ lived a perfectly sinless life in a fallen sinful physical nature weakened by four thousand years of sin, but never did He sin.]
PHI 2:5 "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:"
[From this text alone, I understand that Christ never at any time had the Carnal Mind of which Paul was speaking in Romans. Christ would never want us to keep the carnal mind let alone even contemplating the thought that Christ had a Carnal Mind. Christ did not need to be converted, as He never sinned.
Some theologians coin their own phrases and even their own words in order to get their theories across; but theories that can't be backed up by the principles of God's Word are worthless.]
RH 02-18-90- How to Meet a Controverted Point of Doctrine.
"We do not go deep enough in our search for truth. Every soul who believes present truth will be brought where he will be required to give a reason of the hope that is in him. The people of God will be called upon to stand before kings, princes, rulers, and great men of the earth, and they must know that they do know what is truth. They must be converted men and women. God can teach you more in one moment by his Holy Spirit than you could learn from the great men of the earth. The universe is looking upon the controversy that is going on upon the earth. At an infinite cost, God has provided for every man an opportunity to know that which will make him wise unto salvation. How eagerly do angels look to see who will avail himself of this opportunity! When a message is presented to God's people, they should not rise up in opposition to it; they should go to the Bible, comparing it with the law and the testimony, and if it does not bear this test, it is not true. God wants our minds to expand. He desires to put his grace upon us. We may have a feast of good things every day; for God can open the whole treasure of heaven to us. We are to be one with Christ as he is one with the Father, and the Father will love us as he loves his Son. We may have the same help that Christ had, we may have strength for every emergency; for God will be our front guard and our re reward."
2T.694.001 "Those who possess the carnal mind cannot comprehend the sacred force of vital truth upon which their salvation depends, because they cherish pride of heart, love of the world, love of ease, selfishness, covetousness, envy, jealousy, lust, hatred, and every evil. If they would overcome these they might be partakers of the divine nature. Many leave the plain truths of God's word and neglect to follow the light that shines clearly upon their pathway; they try to pry into secrets not plainly revealed and conjecture and talk and dispute in regard to questions which they are not required to understand, for they have no special reference to their salvation. Thousands have been beguiled in this way by Satan. They have neglected present faith and present duty which are clear and comprehensive to all who have their reasoning powers; they have dwelt upon doubtful theories and scriptures which they could not comprehend, and have erred concerning the faith; they have a mixed faith."
DA.172.001 "Jesus continued: "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." By nature the heart is evil, and "who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one." Job 14:4. No human invention can find a remedy for the sinning soul. "The carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." "Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies." Rom. 8:7;
Matt. 15:19. The fountain of the heart must be purified before the streams can become pure. He who is trying to reach heaven by his own works in keeping the law is attempting an impossibility. There is no safety for one who has merely a legal religion, a form of godliness. The Christian's life is not a modification or improvement of the old, but a transformation of nature. There is a death to self and sin, and a new life altogether. This change can be brought about only by the effectual working of the Holy Spirit."
[Definition of terms used in Scripture and/or Spirit of Prophecy writings and/or Jones/Waggoner, should be carefully studied in each context of use. The Holy Spirit will direct the mind of those who sincerely ask for its presence and will show where the weight of evidence lies. Some commonly used terms follow, that should be defined by writers and preachers who use them.
Carnal Mind: Carnal Nature: Fleshly Nature: Fallen Nature: Old Nature: Physical Nature: Spiritual Nature: Divine Mind: Divine Nature: New Nature: New Heart:
When Adam and Eve were first created they were perfect in Mind and Body. They were without sin, and their bodies were without any blemish.
When they sinned by disobeying God's requirements, they changed leaders by following the suggestions of Satan and ignoring their Creator's wise counsel and express commands.
At that moment they lost the Divine Mind which was given to them by their Creator , and in its place they accepted the Mind of Satan -the Carnal Mind. These two types of nature can not dwell together at the same time; they also lost the Provisional Eternal Physical nature which they were given at their creation. They also lost the Robe of Light that enshrouded them.
When God explained to them the plan of salvation by which they may be converted and one day receive back that which they had lost, they confessed and forsook their sin and accepted God's plan of redemption. At this point, they had a change of leaders again. They surrendered their Carnal Minds and accepted in its place the Divine Mind. They renounced their allegiance to Satan and gave their allegiance to their Creator once again. However, they would have the Fallen Physical Nature to contend with during a limited lifespan.
As Baptism represents a Death; a Burial: and a Resurrection to a New life in Christ Jesus, what dies? What is buried? What is gained?]
PHI 2:5 "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:"
[This text says that Christ had a mind different to what sinful man has; but Christ has made it possible for man to have a different mind- -the same mind which Christ had. There is no proof that Christ took the Carnal Nature (Fallen Sinful Spiritual Nature) of Adam. It is clear that Christ took the Fallen Physical Nature of man after 4,000 years of sin had weakened and degraded it. This physical nature would include the brain which is flesh and blood; but not the Carnal Mind, which is the fallen sinful spiritual nature/mind -- the mind of Satan. Christ ever retained the Divine Mind. And this is what He offers to us. See Philippians 2:5.]
[It should be remembered that the Brain is not the Mind; The "Brain is the organ and instrument of the Mind". The Mind is Spiritual. The Brain is Flesh. See the following quotes after the next paragraph. Scripture states that Christ took the fallen flesh and blood (Physical Nature) not fallen mind. This is where much mis-understanding exists. A surgeon; or mechanic; or builder, uses instruments (or tools) to do his work; but the instruments are not the surgeon, mechanic or builder. So it is with the mind and the brain. The mind is the highest part of man. This is where choice is made to serve God or to serve Satan. No created Human being can define how it is composed, but we can use the mind within the limits that our Creator has set. Medical science can not fathom what the mind is. The nearest they can get to it is the Hypothalamus gland and there they are forced to stop because the mind is not a physical organ; it is spiritual. Notice the following Quotations:-]
RH.1901-04-09.010 "The brain is the organ and instrument of the mind, and controls the whole body. In order for the other parts of the system to be healthy, the brain must be healthy. And in order for the brain to be healthy, the blood must be pure. If by correct habits of eating and drinking the blood is kept pure, the brain will be properly nourished.
RH.1901-04-09.011 "We can serve God better in the vigor of health than in the palsy of disease; therefore we should co-operate with God in the care of our bodies. Love for God is essential for life and health. Faith in God is essential for health. In order to have perfect health, our hearts must be filled with love and hope and joy in the Lord."
RH.1901-04-09.012 "The tastes are to be elevated, the appetite subdued, by those who are seeking for the eternal inheritance, a life which measures with the life of God. The gospel demands an unreserved surrender of body and soul, with all their energies and capabilities. The Lord claims all the service which any human being, aided and enriched by divine grace, can render; and to withhold this from Him is robbery."
SPTB15.018.003 "It is the lack of harmonious action in the human organism that brings disease. The imagination may control the other parts of the body to their injury. All parts of the system must work harmoniously. The different parts of the body, especially those remote from the heart, should receive a free circulation of blood. The limbs act an important part, and should receive proper attention."
SPTB15.018.004 "God is the great care-taker of the human machinery. In the care of our bodies we must cooperate with Him. Love for God is essential for life and health. In order to have perfect health our hearts must be filled with hope, and love, and joy."
SPTB15.018.005 "The lower passions are to be strictly guarded. The perceptive faculties are abused, terribly abused, when the passions are allowed to run riot. When the passions are indulged, the blood, instead of circulating to all parts of the body, thereby relieving the heart and clearing the mind, is called in undue amount to the internal organs. Disease comes as the result. The man can not be healthy until the evil is seen and remedied."
[The above statement is amplified in the book “A Solemn Appeal” co-authored by James and Ellen G White. This book is reproduced in full on this Site for the reader's convenience.]
95.17-023 (WhiteSpeed CD references) A T Jones "Thus you see the mind which we have is the flesh's mind. It is controlled by the flesh and it came to us from whom? Satan. Therefore it is enmity against God. And that mind of Satan is the mind of self, always self, in the place of God. Now Christ came to bring to us another mind than that. While we have Satan's mind, the flesh ruling, we serve the law of sin. God can reveal to us His law and we can consent that that is good and desire to fulfill it and make resolutions to do so and sign bargains and make contracts even, "but I see another law in my members [in my flesh], warring against the law of my mind [against that desire, that wish of my mind, that delights in the law of God], and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am!" But Christ comes and brings another mind--the Spirit's mind--to us and gives us that. He gives us a mind and we have His mind by His Holy Spirit. Then and therefore with the mind--the Spirit's mind, the mind of Christ which He hath given us--the law of God is served. Thank the Lord."
95.17-024
"So see the difference. In the seventh of Romans there is described the man in whom the flesh rules and leads the mind astray, against the will of the man even. In the ninth chapter of 1Corinthians, verses 26, 27, is described the man in whom the mind has control. This is the Christian. The mind has control of the body and the body is under, and he keeps it under. Therefore it is written in another place (Rom. 12:2):" 95.17-025 "Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. 95.17-026 "And the Greek word is the same word exactly as that: "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creation," he is a new creature--not an old man changed over, but a new-made one. So this is not an old mind made over but a new-created mind. That is the mind of Christ wrought in us by the Spirit of God, giving us the mind of Christ and so making an entirely new mind in us and for us." 95.17-027
"This is shown in Romans, eighth chapter: "They that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh," because they do the works of the flesh, the mind follows sin that way. "But they that after the Spirit [mind], the things of the Spirit." And "if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." That which brings to us the mind of Jesus Christ is the Holy Ghost. Indeed, the Spirit of God brings Jesus Christ Himself to us. By the Holy Ghost the real presence of Christ is with us and dwells in us. Can He bring Christ to us without bringing the mind of Christ to us? Assuredly not. So then in the nature of things there is the mind of Christ which He came into the world to give us." 95.17-028 "Now see how this follows further and what it cost to do that and how it was done. This mind of the flesh is the minding of self. It is enmity against God and is controlled through the flesh. Jesus Christ came into this flesh Himself--the glorious One--He who made the worlds, the Word of God--was made flesh Himself and He was our flesh. And He, that divine One who was in heaven was in our sinful flesh. Yet that divine One, when in sinful flesh never manifested a particle of His divine self in resisting the temptations that were in that flesh but emptied Himself." 95.17-029 "We are here studying the same subject that we have been studying these three or four years, but God is leading us further along in the study of it, and I am glad. We have been studying for three or four years, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus," who emptied Himself. That mind must be in us in order for us to be emptied, for we cannot of ourselves empty ourselves. Nothing but divinity can do that. That is an infinite thing. Can the mind of Satan empty itself of self? No. Can the mind that is in us, that minding of self, empty itself of self? No. Self cannot do it. Jesus Christ, the divine One, the infinite One, came in His divine person in this same flesh of ours and never allowed His divine power, His personal self, to be manifested at all in resisting these temptations and enticements and drawings of the flesh." 95.17-030 "What was it, then, that conquered sin there and kept Him from sinning? It was the power of God the Father that kept Him. Now where does that touch us? Here. We cannot empty ourselves, but His divine mind comes into us and by that divine power we can empty ourselves of our wicked selves and then by that divine power the mind of Jesus Christ, of God the Father, comes to us and keeps us from the power of temptation. Thus Christ, emptying His divine self, His righteous self, brings to us the power by which we are emptied of our wicked selves. And this is how He abolished in His flesh the enmity and made it possible for the enmity to be destroyed in you and me." 95.17-031 "Do you see that? I know it takes close thinking, and I know too that when you have thought upon that and have got it clearly, then the mind cannot go any further. There we come face to face with the mystery of God itself, and human, finite intellect must stop and say, That is holy ground. That is beyond my measure. I can go no further. I surrender to God."95.17-032
end of A T Jones quote --
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PHI 2:5 "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:"
When writers and ministers claim that Christ, at his birth, took the sinful nature of Adam after he had sinned, are they referring to the sinful spiritual nature (carnal mind; the mind of Satan); or are they referring to the physical flesh nature? This should be explained clearly. When questioned on this subject, many state that Christ took both the fallen physical nature and the fallen carnal mind of Adam after the fall. As the carnal mind is the mind of Satan, they are saying that Christ was a servant to Satan. This is rank error, and is against the whole purpose of the Gospel of Christ. They are stating that Christ was going to give us a sinful mind. (Phi 2:5).
Note: Elder A.T.Jones, along with Elder E.J.Waggoner were the two brethren whom the Lord chose to present the 1888 message at the general conference session. The message was not allowed to do its work in the lives of the leaders and the angel who gave it to them went back to heaven. The message has been presented again and it has been repeatedly rejected. For more information on this subject see the book entitled “The Abomination of Desolation and Church History” also on this Site]
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