In being born again as a believer in Jesus you receive a new identity as a child of God, eternally adopted by God the Father. “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12-13). What does this new identity really entail?
This position as a child of God is based on the nature of the new life in and by the Spirit. It is not attained by trying to do good works to earn right-standing with God, but by receiving God’s grace by faith found in the LORD.
RELEVANCE
Paul encouraged believers to identify with this new nature. It encompasses allowing the Holy Spirit to take dominion, refreshing and renewing your mind. At the same time it entails casting the old identity aside, along with old thought patterns.
“But you, you do not identify with your old nature but with the Spirit — provided the Spirit of God is living inside you, for anyone who doesn’t have the Spirit of the Messiah doesn’t belong to him. However, if the Messiah is in you, then, on the one hand, the body is dead because of sin; but, on the other hand, the Spirit is giving life because God considers you righteous….All who are led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to bring you back again into fear; on the contrary, you received the Spirit, who makes us sons and by whose power we cry out, “Abba!” (that is, “Dear Father!”). The Spirit himself bears witness with our own spirits that we are children of God; and if we are children, then we are also heirs, heirs of God and joint-heirs with the Messiah — provided we are suffering with him in order also to be glorified with him” (Romans 8:9-17 JNT).
Yes, it takes time. We progressively grow into the new nature. Coming to a new mindset—even framework, or world view—takes time as we gain new insights, change our disposition and priorities and develop new attitudes.
REFLECT AND RELATE
Think about old thought patterns and write down those that need to be cast down. Meditate on new things, and receive them into your spirit. See the references below.
REFERENCES
Philippians 4:4-9; 1 Timothy 4; 2 Corinthians 10:1-6