Galatians 3:25-26 English Standard Version (ESV) But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.

Purpose was introduced yesterday and with it a need to renew the mind that has done nothing but live in the flesh. We knew nothing about faith and little if anything about God. There is so much to learn. The language of religion is different, definitions change from worldly to spiritual meaning. Everything needs to be put into context to understand.

Since we now know our purpose is to be a proper helpmate for our Lord Jesus Christ then our spiritual education has to align itself with the mind of Christ. Up until now all we have ever learned was taught by others. The ability to learn by faith is a new concept and takes a renewed mind. It is the mind that determines choice. The mind is the depository of memory. The mind is flesh and subject to all the ills of the flesh.

In the world we have been taught to grow up and become something. It is often said, “It is a blessing to make a living doing what you love.” Our life in Christ is exactly that, love Christ and do what we love. What is that exactly? While I learn about Christ and how to love Him, we are still in the world and subject to making our way while being influenced by the flesh.

Temptations do not disappear just because we accept Christ. Needs of the flesh did not disappear just because we accepted Christ. God made man and woman to populate the earth, to be fruitful and multiply. That has not changed but being fruitful and multiplying His Kingdom is now part and parcel to that creation now that we are sons of God.

What courses can we take to be prepared to be His helpmate?

Revelation 21:2 English Standard Version (ESV) And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Focus for a moment on a bride prepared. Some might want to ask why I would place the preparation of Christ’s bride so early in this salvation story. My training neglected this element and because of that I did not receive a sense of purpose. Training without purpose can be tedious.

We are being prepared throughout life and it takes time for the true purpose to sink into our minds. Without a proper sense of purpose these preparations can feel like punishment. I hated those forced marches in the Army. It was not until I was in combat that I appreciated the training that preparation provided.

Hebrews 1:14 English Standard Version (ESV) Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

While we are here it is for us to gather His bride together, our brothers and sisters in Christ. It is our service to prepare others even as we are being prepared ourselves. We can only achieve that if we keep our purpose in mind. While we have not always thought this way, it is a wonderful condition of the mind that it can be changed if it understands purpose for change.

Romans 12:1-2 English Standard Version (ESV) I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.  Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

The renewed mind leads the transformation.