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The Renewed Mind and the Will of God

The Renewed Mind and the Will of God

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:1, 2 NIV84 emphasis mine).

What does it mean to have a renewed mind? Can you think of any ways in which a renewed mind thinks differently than an unrenewed mind?

Would a renewed mind see the wisdom of the world as foolishness and an unrenewed mind see God’s wisdom as foolish? (1 Corinthians 1:20–25).

Is it wise or foolish to pursue friendship, love, and trust by threatening to punish those who refuse to love and trust you? Is it wise or foolish to pursue justice with threats of punishment? Can people be won to love and trust by legislation, rulemaking, or imposed laws like the world makes?

Is it wise or foolish to turn the other cheek when someone strikes you? (Matthew 5:39). Which justice is the justice of godly wisdom: the justice that turns the other cheek seeking to win an enemy, turning them into a friend, or the justice of imposed law that seeks to make the wrongdoer pay the proper penalty for their offense and turns them into either fearful servants or rebels?

There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death (Proverbs 14:12 NIV84).

Doesn’t the “rule of law” method, the methods of justice by legal means and rule-enforcement, of holding wrongdoers accountable with proper inflicted punishments, seem right? But in the end, all such methods lead to death, for lawmaking, imposed penalties, threats, and inflicted punishments do not remove fear, do not restore trust, do not eliminate rebellion and sin, and do not win people to loving friendship. The unrenewed mind thinks such law-keeping and enforcement is wise, but it is truly foolish. Jesus said,

Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?” Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!” (Matthew 7:21–23 NIV84).

Does it sound like these people who Jesus calls “evildoer” are in open rebellion against God, or are they in active ministry? Would these people be irreligious or religious? And in whose name are they working so hard? In the name of Jesus!

Despite knowing to call Jesus their Lord, they have not had their minds renewed, their hearts have not been healed to be like Jesus. They have not come into unity or friendship with Him. Why? Because they don’t know or understand Him and His Father.

In John 15:15, Jesus says, “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you” (NIV84).

These religious people relate to Jesus like a servant relates to their powerful master, with fear-based obedience to rule-keeping and task fulfillment. In other words, they believe God’s law functions like human law, imposed rules, and view sin as a legal problem, with God serving as the rule-enforcer; they obey God merely to avoid legal trouble with the one in charge. But they have never become friends of God—they don’t truly know Him. They don’t know why sin is wrong (because it severs God’s design law for life and, without remedy, results in ruin and death); they only know that God doesn’t like it. Thus, their minds are not renewed and the things of God are foolish to them. They continue to live in fear and are motivated by selfishness, to avoid trouble, rather than to love God and others.

 

Approving the Will of God

The apostle Paul said that when our minds are renewed, we “will be able to test and approve what God’s will is.”

But who are we to test and approve God’s will? Aren’t we to simply accept the will of God, not test or approve it? Aren’t we supposed to humbly surrender and submit to God’s will? If God said it, aren’t we to simply believe it—and that’s all there is to it? “Ours is not to question why; ours is just to do or die!” Right?

Wouldn’t all of this be the mindset of a servant and not a friend? Wouldn’t this be the attitude of those who do not know God?

If we are to be testing and approving God’s will, wouldn’t that mean that we are to be understanding friends of God—that we are to reason things out with Him (Isaiah 1:20), and, thereby, develop by practice the ability to discern the right from the wrong (Hebrews 5:14) so that we are fully persuaded in our own mind (Romans 14:5) that God is good, God is right, and God’s ways are the only ways of health and happiness?

What is it that God truly wants for us and from us? Does God want more than the obedience of a well-trained dog? Does God want more than the obedience of a servant? Does God want our understanding agreement, friendship, loyalty, love, and devotion? Can God get what He wants for us and from us by imposing rules and threatening to punish us for rule-breaking?

Is it threats of punishment that lead us to become the kind of people God wants, or is it the kindness of God that leads us to repentance, leads us to give up on trying to save self and surrender ourselves in trust to God for the renewing of our minds? (Romans 2:4).

So, does the renewed mind seek to understand God, while the unrenewed mind seeks to merely obey?

Does the renewed mind seek an enlightened and intelligent faith, while the unrenewed mind hides in “blind faith”?

Does the renewed mind seek to understand God’s methods and principles and intelligently live in harmony with them, while the unrenewed mind seeks to determine the right rules and the authorized way to keep the rules?

Does the renewed mind seek, like Moses, to see God’s face, while the unrenewed mind seeks to hide behind a mediator (Exodus 31:18–20)?

Does the renewed mind humbly ask questions, even questioning what God has said He is going to do, while the unrenewed mind seeks to obey and never question what God has said?

Does the renewed mind live like Abraham, who questioned God about Sodom (Genesis 18:26–33), or like Moses, who questioned God about destroying the Israelites? (Exodus 32:31). Would it have been better had they taken the position: “Who am I to question God? If the Sovereign Lord has said it, I believe it—and that is all there is to it.” Do you think God would have been more pleased with Abraham and Moses if they merely submitted to His revealed will just like any unthinking servant would do?

God wants all of us to become His loving, faithful friends, just like Abraham and Moses were, to test His word, to examine His will and methods, and to be fully persuaded in our own mind so that we are won to unshakable, loving friendship with Him—so that we would rather die than let Him down. 

I urge you, fellow friends of God, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

 

 

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Testimony 7

Ok, so last night I listened to “The Law of Liberty” and “How to Achieve Victory: Freedom, Truth and Spirtual Warfare.” These are both MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITES so far! The logic is just soooooo beautiful. I had to re-listen to them a couple of times. I just want to EXPLODE! (<< we assume with joy and happiness)

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Testimony 40

I was brought up in a different faith and have been petrified my whole life of God. I believed that I would burn in hell for eternity. When I was 12 I started pursuing the things of this world, but for the next 45 years the Spirit was always calling me, as I knew there was a God through nature. I could see the vast sea of stars in the universe and knew there was something bigger out there. Five years ago, through a Revelation seminar, I was blessed to learn about God’s character and government.

Then I found Come and Reason Ministries and have come under some extreme pressure when I speak about the ministry. One time a member sent me an internet article titled “Whats wrong with Tim Jennings?” I asked her what she thought of it and she said “I don’t know, I didn’t read it.”

I have always wanted to find out for myself the truth about God, so I stayed with the Design Law construct and have been liberated to understand the big picture. Once we consider Design Law, all other Bible stories and prophecies seem to fit perfectly. It is truly beautiful to see people grasping how God operates this Universe of Love and the liberation it has provided in their lives. It blows my mind to see how consistent Design law is with what our founders believed. I hear statements like “This makes so much sense.”

Tom W., Mt. Pleasant, MI, USA

 

Testimony 66

I am incredibly grateful for the transformative impact you’ve had on my life, and words cannot fully express my appreciation. Over the years, I have been an avid listener and follower of C&R and extend my heartfelt thanks for creating the C&R mobile app. It has allowed me to immerse myself in your lessons repeatedly, enabling me to grasp the profound significance about the Character of God, Design Law, the protocols for life, the reasons behind the current chaos, and Christ’s mission to restore everything. They have deeply touched me. Having studied with various churches, I came away with the perception that God is no different from the deities of ancient Greek or Roman mythology—demanding sacrifices and taking pleasure in bloodshed. Thanks to your transformative teachings, I have experienced a profound awakening to the true nature of God and the immense power of His love. It is truly a remarkable and liberating sensation to finally grasp the truth and embrace the empowering nature of God’s laws. My self-perception has become brighter and more infused with love. My journey of growth continues on a daily basis.

Chris P., Lake Mary, FL, USA

 

Testimony 28

I have been following your Bible study class for about a year now. I must say I am impressed with how your ministry has grown. I took it upon myself to listen to all your lesson podcasts from the past and they have both enriched me physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I have learnt a lot from this class. I have also noticed how the class has grown in spiritual strength. One of the things that benefited me is that now I am not afraid of God. I use to be, but now it has melted away. The second thing is that you helped me to have a real life relationship with God. Now He is my friend that was always there and I love having him with me all the time. Thirdly, because of this class, it inspired me to take over and lead a class. I have called it “Let Us Reason Together,” adapting your inquisitive style and creating a class of free thinkers.

T. Banda, Malawi, Africa

 

Testimony 69

After reading your book, ‘Could It Be This Simple,’ someone was explaining Christianity in a way that made sense to me for the first time in my life. One morning, I simply prayed “I’m sorry and I love you.” As soon as I silently said that, I could literally feel God’s presence and light flood down on me from above and fill me up with love and joy. I sat there crying my eyes out, because I was so overpowered with this feeling of love and joy. It was just so incredible. I hope that more people can read this book and get a blessing from it. It’s really amazing.

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Testimony 71

When I was 9 years old, I remember setting at our devotional table with a hunger and thirst for God that wanted more, deeper, BETTER. I can remember literally crying and pounding on the table, “I know these teachers didn’t mean to give us error. They taught what THEY had been TAUGHT, but didn’t ANYBODY READ THE BOOK?!?!?” It mattered to me then. It mattered to me as a teenager. It matters now as I teach bible classes. It didn’t have to be so hard as I watched so many give up and lay God’s great plan and gift of salvation aside as being “impossible.” Then, a friend sent me a link to Come And Reason’s website. I grew excited. YES! FINALLY! Then another friend told me to stay away, saying her son had just broken up with a girl because she was involved with Come And Reason and that “Tim Jennings preaches a false gospel.” But, AFTER many years of developing an authentic and, dare I say FUN relationship with Jesus, through the Holy Spirit I see this message has been around a LONG time, since the apostle Paul, Ellen White, Graham Maxwell, Ray Foucher, and yourself (though I admit, you’ve made me back up, rewind and replay the clips, and get out my well-worn Bible on a few things.) I’m so thankful I have found LIGHT during these DARK days. I am not alone.

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Testimony 14

We really appreciate your views on the judgment and they make good sense considering our free choice.

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Testimony 24

I wanted to thank you very much for presenting your understanding of God. I’ve always been troubled by this question: Why did Jesus have to die? Since my conversion I understood that The Father & Jesus are one, I did not have issues with that. But was there not any other way to save us than for Jesus to die? I guess I actually had a question about God – if He is so wise, how come He did not find another way? I did not see the real ‘beauty’  in the cross. Only when you explained the picture in the medical context, Jesus providing medicine for my selfishness, have I started to finally ‘see the light’. Thank you so much. Your seminar, “Healing the Mind,” are absolutely marvelous & have shared them with my family and many other people, including colleagues at work. Thanks, thanks, thanks. May God bless you abundantly in your ministry.

M. W., Australia

 

Testimony 6

I got the book “Could It Be This Simple?” a few months ago and the reading was wonderful and I was fascinated. I lent the book to a friend at work. She is having a difficult time and the book is helping her to find Jesus and I found this very exciting. She has asked me questions and I can see her life changing.

H. S., Australia

 

Testimony 59

I’m a native Ghanan, but am currently in France for my master’s degree. Prior to this, during my final years at undergraduate studies in Ghana, I was introduced to your ministry and I’ve been immensely blessed by what you share, especially about the Design and Imposed Laws. God richly bless you for that.

One of the first things I did when I arrived in France was to buy all four of your books. They not only helped me, but those I shared them with. I shared the message with an atheist student and I marveled at how God worked mightily in his life. Today this person shares the Love of God with others and debunks theories of who God is not. I want to share what you present in your “Heavenly Sanctuary and Investigative Judgment” pamphlet, because the message brought rest to my soul and I live today as a healthy person.

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Michael A., Ghana

 

Testimony 67

I was introduced to Come And Reason by a friend of my mother-in-law, who gave me several CD’s of Dr. Jennings. The clarity of the message and recognition that God’s is a God of love was so clear, advancing beyond Dr. Maxwell’s message. However, grappled with Maxwell saying God used emergency measures for the fallen world. Now after several years of being a regular listener of the Come And Reasoning bible study class and attending Jennings’ meetings in Dallas/Fort Worth, TX, things are becoming clearer for me. Design law versus imposed law has added so much to my personal understanding of theology. This message has really impacted my work in counseling so many people miserable because they are searching for and trusting human governments to create order and peace or believing in a God who says love Me or I will kill you. I am grateful that I have an alternative view to offer my clients that makes sense. I teach a bible study class on a semi-regular basis and I value the materials that Come And Reason so freely offers to aid me in presenting this vital message. Thank you for continuing to provide advancement in our very limited understanding of a Infinite God that is rational and believable.

Dr. Roger D, Arlington, TX, USA

 

Testimony 47

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Testimony 63

I’ve been very blessed by “The God Shaped Brain” and this ministry, through video and podcast, over the last few years. It’s truly opened up my eyes more to the truth about God and the importance of that truth in the present world. The message is so inviting, freeing and enlightening and MORE people need to know about it. I believe it is the last message that can truly, not only prepare a people for salvation and translation, but vindicate the character of God.

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Testimony 49

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Testimony 61

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