In the same mind and in the same opinion

The Verse of the Day for May 21, 2017 presents a similar challenge related to yesterday’s topic of being “like-minded” or thinking the same thing. Today we examine 1 Corinthians 1:10 in the Amplified Bible:

But I urge and entreat you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in perfect harmony and full agreement in what you say, and that there be no dissensions or factions or divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in your common understanding and in your opinions and judgments.

The New Living Translation renders the verse this way:

1 Corinthians 1:10:

[Divisions in the Church] I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.

The Darby Bible offers a similar translation:

 Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all say the same thing, and that there be not among you divisions; but that ye be perfectly united in the same mind and in the same opinion.

This particular verse brings to mind the time when I first began to reflect upon a passage of scripture, while engaging in the writing process. In 1971, I remember being asked to produce a writing sample, and I wrote a brief commentary on 1 Corinthians 1:10. At that time I was intrigued by the Amplified Bible that concludes the verse in this way :”. . . that you be perfectly united in your common understanding and in your opinions and judgments.”

Regarding the term “opinions,” someone has said that opinions are like noses—everybody has one. Even so, believers are encouraged to hold the same opinion regarding who we are in Christ. The verse from 1 Corinthians also came to mind in response to this statement by Nate Clements: “Don’t let someone else’s opinion become your reality.”

As we continue on our lifelong journey of discovery of who we are, many times we encounter varying opinions, as our identity unfolds through the changing seasons of life. Recently conversations with various individuals have centered on the issues of identity, as we all, particularly Christian believers, struggle to find and maintain our “true identity.”  Among of the principal challenges of the whole of humanity is to find the answer to two of life’s fundamental questions: “Who am I?” and “Why am I here?” For followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, God, our Father, the Creator of Life, provides the answers to those questions and every other question anyone may seek to find answers to in the Word of God which becomes the mirror in which we see ourselves clearly revealed.” The following poem also expresses what we are learning about who we really are:

Our True Identity

But we all, with open face beholding

as in a glass the glory of the Lord,

are changed into the same image from glory to glory,

even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

II Corinthians 3:18

We look in the mirror of God’s Word and we see

People of God transformed to be all we shall become,

Reflected in our eyes, our true identity.

 

Released from shackles of a slave mentality,

The bondage of Egypt we have now overcome.

We look in the mirror of God’s Word and we see.

 

As we are pressing onward to our destiny,

In our hearts we have prepared for God a new home,

Reflected in our eyes, our true identity.

 

In Christ we are made new, our new reality:

Walking in love, models of the Father’s Kingdom.

We look in the mirror of God’s Word and we see.

 

Blessings in double measure abound toward us richly,

Flowing by the spirit in knowledge and wisdom,

Reflected in our eyes, our true identity.

 

We live to fulfill our prophetic destiny,

As joys unfold with even greater joys to come.

We look in the mirror of God’s Word and we see

Reflected in our eyes, our true identity.

As believers, the essence of who we are is grounded in God’s opinion of us and not any individual’s assessment of who we are.  As Steven Curtis Chapman sings, we are “Who You say we are.”

Not conformed but transformed

Taken from Romans 12:2 (NLT) the Verse of the Day for October 14, 2015 speaks of being transformed in a previous blog entry that is revised and re-posted below:

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

The Amplified Bible renders the verse this way:

Romans 12:2:

² And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].

Romans 12:2 brings to mind the process of metamorphosis that butterflies and other organisms undergo, reminding us of a similar spiritual process called “renewing the mind.” Christians are instructed not to be conformed but to be transformed by the renewing of their minds (Romans 12:1). The New Testament phrase is translated from the Greek word metamorphoo, from which the English word metamorphosis is derived. The phrase is also used to express that as believers strive to manifest more of Christ in their lives, they are also “changed” into the same image:

And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

Butterflies as they undergo metamorphosis are transformed from egg to larva or caterpillar to chrysalis (cocoon) to butterfly (adult). Christian believers also continually undergo a similar spiritual transformation as they mature in Christ. The essence of this amazing process is expressed in this poem:

Death to the Caterpillar

Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat

falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone;

but if it dies, it produces much grain.

John 12:24

 

What is death to the caterpillar we call a butterfly —

Anonymous

From the dark of earth new life stems from seeds once sown.

Despite the pain of loss and our questioning why,

From the source of life this eternal truth is shown:

“Death to the caterpillar we call a butterfly.”

Creation travails until the sons of God appear;

No longer conformed, we have at last been set free,

As every Kingdom mystery is now made clear,

Totally transformed into glorious liberty.

Triumphant in the race we desired to win:

From victory to victory and glory to glory,

We see that power to change comes from within,

As we write another chapter of our life’s story.

The final stage of glory unfolds this result:

Transformed from egg to larva to pupa to adult.

The following video offers a graphic visual illustration of this amazing process:

Here is a scripture memory song of Romans 12:2 offered in a style reminiscent of the Beatles:

The Verse of the Day we can apply every day, as we are being transformed while renewing our minds, proving what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

1 Corinthians 1:10–having the same opinion

In reflecting upon the Verse of the Day for May 21, 2014, my mind goes back to 1971 when I was in the beginning stages of my development as a teacher and writer. I remember being asked to produce a writing sample, and I wrote a brief commentary on 1 Corinthians 1:10. Since that time, more than 30 years ago, I have come to appreciate the same verse in the Amplified Bible that renders a more precise definition of the word “judgment.”

1 Corinthians 1:10 [Amplified]

But I urge and entreat you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in perfect harmony and full agreement in what you say, and that there be no dissensions or factions or divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in your common understanding and in your opinions and judgments.

The Darby Bible offers a similar translation:

 Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all say the same thing, and that there be not among you divisions; but that ye be perfectly united in the same mind and in the same opinion.

Someone has said that opinions are like noses—everybody has one. Even so, believers are encouraged to hold the same opinion regarding who we are in Christ. The verse from 1 Corinthians also came to mind in response to this statement by Nate Clements: “Don’t let someone else’s opinion become your reality.”

As we continue on our lifelong journey of discovery of who we are, many times we encounter varying opinions, as our identity unfolds through the changing seasons of life. Recently conversations with various individuals have centered on the issue of identity, as everyone struggles to find and maintain his or her “true identity” Among the principal challenges of the whole of humanity is to find the answer to two of life’s fundamental questions: “Who am I?” and “Why am I here?” For the believer, God, our Father, the Creator of Life, provides the answers to those questions and every other question anyone may seek to find answers to in the Word of God which becomes the mirror in which we see ourselves clearly revealed.” The following poem expresses what I am learning about who I really am:

My True Identity

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord,

are changed into the same image from glory to glory,

even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

2 Corinthians 3:18

 

 

I look in the mirror of God’s Word and I see,

Not the man I am but the man I shall become,

Reflected in my eyes, my true identity.

 

Released from shackles of a slave mentality,

The bondage of Egypt I have now overcome.

I look in the mirror of God’s Word and I see.

 

I smile as I keep singing of “A Brand New Me.”

In my heart I have prepared for God a new home,

Reflected in my eyes, my true identity.

 

“I am what I am” is my new reality:

A first-born son, model of the Father’s Kingdom.

I look in the mirror of God’s Word and I see.

 

God’s blessings in double measure overtake me,

Flowing by the spirit in knowledge and wisdom,

Reflected in my eyes, my true identity.

 

I live to fulfill my prophetic destiny,

As joys unfold with even greater joys to come.

I look in the mirror of God’s Word and I see

Reflected in my eyes, my true identity.

 

As a believer, the essence of who I am is grounded in God’s opinion of me and not any individual’s assessment of who I am. Israel Houghton and New Breed express this truth in the song “Identity.”

No Mirrors in Heaven: Just a thought

This song recorded by Sweet Honey in the Rock caused me to think about whether there are any mirrors in heaven.

A number of years ago I heard a song performed by one of my favorite a capella musical groups, Sweet Honey in the Rock, a poignant rendering of a song written by Ysaye Barnwell, a member of the group. Here is an animated version of “No Mirrors in My Nana’s House” recorded on Nick JR:

The song caused me to think that if there are no mirrors in “my Nana’s house,” surely there are no mirrors in “my Father’s house.” How many times have I recited or heard recited the celebrated passage from John 14 at a funeral or “homegoing” service for a friend of family member:

Let not your heart be troubled:

You believe in God, believe also in me.

In my Father’s house are many mansions:

If it were not so, I would have told you.

I go to prepare a place for you.

And if I go and prepare a place for you,

I will come again,

And receive you unto myself;

That where I am, there you may be also.

 

In thinking about those “bright mansions above,” I pondered, “Will there be any mirrors in heaven?” My thoughts led to this poetic response:

No Mirrors in Heaven

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full into his wonderful face

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of his glory and grace.

Traditional Gospel Song

 

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord,

are changed into the same image from glory to glory,

even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

2 Corinthians 3:18

 

The eighth day lies beyond the perfection of seven

With this startling discovery: no mirrors in heaven.

We will not have time to indulge in vanity

When we see ourselves as we were designed to be

In the eyes of the savior when we behold his visage

And see ourselves fashioned like unto Christ’s glorious image.

The wisdom and power of God no one can deny

When we are released from the quarters of the butterfly

To behold full-face the splendor of the Savior:

One glimpse reveals the value of godly behavior.

When the good pleasure of His will has been fully shown,

Then shall we know, even as we are also known,

Transformed from mortal into immortality

To view the fullness of Christ in you and Christ in me.

The closing line of the poem brings to mind a passage of scripture that has long been particularly meaningful to me: Colossians 1:25-27

Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;

Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:

To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

This particular passage was the inspiration for the lyrics to an original song:

Christ in You, Christ in Me

Even before the world began,

God put together His master plan,

Calling Jews and Gentiles into one body,

The riches of the glory of this mystery

Which is Christ in you, the hope of glory,

Christ in you, the hope of glory,

Christ in you, the hope of glory.

 

Enlighten my eyes, help me to see

All that you have called me to be.

Share with me the secrets that you have for me,

The riches of the glory of this mystery

Which is Christ in me, the hope of glory

Christ in me, the hope of glory,

Christ in me, the hope of glory.

 

Put on God’s Word, renew your mind.

Seek Him with your whole heart, and you will find

He’ll open your eyes; He’ll let you see

The riches of the glory of this mystery

Which is Christ in you, the hope of glory

Christ in you, the hope of glory,

Christ in you, the hope of glory.

 

I’m no longer bound; I’ve been set free.

I once was so blind, but now I see.

I’m walking into my destiny:

The riches of the glory of this mystery

Which is Christ in me, the hope of glory

Christ in me, the hope of glory,

Christ in me the hope of glory.

 

Christ in you, the hope of glory,

Christ in you, the hope of glory,

Christ in you, the hope of glory.

 

Christ in me, the hope of glory,

Christ in me, the hope of glory,

Christ in me, the hope of glory.

Here is another musical composition inspired by the same passage, “Christ in You the Hope of Glory Song.”

Campaign Kerusso

“Words of Wisdom”—a daily dose of “words to the wise”–Day 11

This blog entry is another in a series featuring a daily dose of “words to the wise,” poetically expressed from the Book of Proverbs.

Each morning as I rise to use the bathroom and refresh myself to start the day, I often recite a statement made by Prophet Kim Clement, as I look in the mirror and wash my hands: “I see myself somewhere in the future, and I’m looking so much better than I look right now. . .” I go on to attach this personal addendum: “But right now, I’m looking good!”

While looking in the mirror, many times I think of my true identity, as I continually attempt to assess who I am and who I desire to be, as I seek to do the will of God. Some time ago, I posted a blog entry entitled “My New Identity Kit” which contained a poem with a reference to wisdom as well as to knowledge. Here are “Words of Wisdom”—a daily dose of “words to the wise” for Day 11:

My True Identity

 

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord,

are changed into the same image from glory to glory,

even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

II Corinthians 3:18

I look in the mirror of God’s Word and I see,

Not the man I am but the man I shall become,

Reflected in my eyes, my true identity.

 

Released from shackles of a slave mentality,

The bondage of Egypt I have now overcome.

I look in the mirror of God’s Word and I see.

 

I smile as I keep singing of “A Brand New Me.”

In my heart I have prepared for God a new home,

Reflected in my eyes, my true identity.

 

“I am what I am” is my new reality:

A first-born son, model of the Father’s Kingdom.

I look in the mirror of God’s Word and I see.

 

God’s blessings in double measure overtake me,

Flowing by the spirit in knowledge and wisdom,

Reflected in my eyes, my true identity.

 

I live to fulfill my prophetic destiny,

As joys unfold with even greater joys to come.

I  look in the mirror of God’s Word and I see

Reflected in my eyes, my true identity.

 

As I begin to understand more fully who I am and who God intended for me to be, not only am I looking good, but I am also “feeling good” as this YouTube video by Michael Buble makes known: