Imputation
I just wanted to let everyone know that I learned a new word today. I did not know what this little gem meant: inimical. So, I skipped over to www.Dictionary.com and found it to mean this:
in·im·i·cal
1. adverse in tendency or effect; unfavorable; harmful: a climate inimical to health.
2. unfriendly; hostile: a cold, inimical gaze.
I'm going to also say here that I think it is really important to use dictionaries when needed. In fact, rather than say it's too difficult a passage and skip it or assume tough words just aren't for you, why not be eager to engage your mind?
I was pondering Romans 6:13-14 this morning and it occurred to me that if sin is death and all this world, including our bodies, are subject to the law of death ans subsequent decay thereof, then that certainly includes our minds. This means that in every way possible we are losing them, as fatalistic as that sounds. We are not merely fighting against intrusive thoughts and false ideas, but, the actual fabric of our minds (its capacity to store knowledge and hold fact to facts) is on the decline. If we are admonished to offer the members of our bodies to be instruments of righteousness, I would include the physical brain in that category. This isn't an abstract concept. Sin has so many effects on the natural world--this fallen creation--, but, thanks to the righteousness of Christ through His death and resurrection, we can also die to sin and reign in life in Him. I think sin is not limited to the overt. I think our bodies are not inclined merely to obvious sin. I think all of creation longs to be redeemed because ALL OF IT is dying. Lets offer our minds up to be slaves to righteousness, not only abstaining from the things which pollute it, but keeping it sharp by rigorous study and searching scripture and definitions. Lets stop providing for our dying minds and bodies (the flesh) by dumbing things down. Surely not everyone is called into occupational academia, but, we are all called to wage war against sin clothed in the might of Christ Jesus. Certainly we can pick up a dictionary from time to time.
The new Suffern family endorses the Noah Webster 1828 version, for the record.
:o) OK, I'm finished.
Romans 6:13-14
13)Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. 14)For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.
in·im·i·cal
1. adverse in tendency or effect; unfavorable; harmful: a climate inimical to health.
2. unfriendly; hostile: a cold, inimical gaze.
I'm going to also say here that I think it is really important to use dictionaries when needed. In fact, rather than say it's too difficult a passage and skip it or assume tough words just aren't for you, why not be eager to engage your mind?
I was pondering Romans 6:13-14 this morning and it occurred to me that if sin is death and all this world, including our bodies, are subject to the law of death ans subsequent decay thereof, then that certainly includes our minds. This means that in every way possible we are losing them, as fatalistic as that sounds. We are not merely fighting against intrusive thoughts and false ideas, but, the actual fabric of our minds (its capacity to store knowledge and hold fact to facts) is on the decline. If we are admonished to offer the members of our bodies to be instruments of righteousness, I would include the physical brain in that category. This isn't an abstract concept. Sin has so many effects on the natural world--this fallen creation--, but, thanks to the righteousness of Christ through His death and resurrection, we can also die to sin and reign in life in Him. I think sin is not limited to the overt. I think our bodies are not inclined merely to obvious sin. I think all of creation longs to be redeemed because ALL OF IT is dying. Lets offer our minds up to be slaves to righteousness, not only abstaining from the things which pollute it, but keeping it sharp by rigorous study and searching scripture and definitions. Lets stop providing for our dying minds and bodies (the flesh) by dumbing things down. Surely not everyone is called into occupational academia, but, we are all called to wage war against sin clothed in the might of Christ Jesus. Certainly we can pick up a dictionary from time to time.
The new Suffern family endorses the Noah Webster 1828 version, for the record.
:o) OK, I'm finished.
Romans 6:13-14
13)Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. 14)For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.
Labels: exhortation, renewal of mind