Most weeks, I discuss the meaning of the songs and hymns that will be sung in the upcoming Sunday service. This week, we are talking about a lesser known hymn titled "May the Mind of Christ, My Savior".
Music is a wonderful way to worship!
I am especially enjoying the learning of this hymn because it sums up several different things we are currently learning.
1) In Wednesday night prayer meeting, we are spending a couple months discussing holiness using Kevin DeYoung's book, A Hole in Our Holiness, as a guide. My children don't attend prayer meeting with me, but I have been sharing with them the things I've been learning - the whys and hows of our pursuit of holy living.
2) Also, while working through catechism, we have had extended discussion on the meaning of being created in the image of God.
Q: How did God create man?
A: God created man, male and female, after His own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with dominion over the other creatures.
Our 2 lingering discussions on holiness and the image of God, have blended so beautifully!
Man (male and female) was created in the image of God. Unlike the rest of creation, man received the communicable attributes of God (love, gentleness, kindness, faithfulness, etc.). He was also given knowledge, righteousness, and holiness. But then through one man, Adam, sin entered the world. Sin did not remove the image of God from man, but distorted it.
When a man accepts Christ as his Savior and is then indwelled and empowered by the Holy Spirit, his desire ought to be to reflect God's image more clearly. This is the process of progressive sanctification - our pursuit of holiness.
This is what I've been discussing with my kids for the past several weeks. This hymn that our church will be singing this Sunday, "May the Mind of Christ, My Savior", written by Kate Wilkinson, has come at a perfect time for my family. My kids don't know this hymn and since there are 6 verses, I am focusing on just 2 of my favorites:
I am especially enjoying the learning of this hymn because it sums up several different things we are currently learning.
1) In Wednesday night prayer meeting, we are spending a couple months discussing holiness using Kevin DeYoung's book, A Hole in Our Holiness, as a guide. My children don't attend prayer meeting with me, but I have been sharing with them the things I've been learning - the whys and hows of our pursuit of holy living.
2) Also, while working through catechism, we have had extended discussion on the meaning of being created in the image of God.
Q: How did God create man?
A: God created man, male and female, after His own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with dominion over the other creatures.
Our 2 lingering discussions on holiness and the image of God, have blended so beautifully!
Man (male and female) was created in the image of God. Unlike the rest of creation, man received the communicable attributes of God (love, gentleness, kindness, faithfulness, etc.). He was also given knowledge, righteousness, and holiness. But then through one man, Adam, sin entered the world. Sin did not remove the image of God from man, but distorted it.
When a man accepts Christ as his Savior and is then indwelled and empowered by the Holy Spirit, his desire ought to be to reflect God's image more clearly. This is the process of progressive sanctification - our pursuit of holiness.
This is what I've been discussing with my kids for the past several weeks. This hymn that our church will be singing this Sunday, "May the Mind of Christ, My Savior", written by Kate Wilkinson, has come at a perfect time for my family. My kids don't know this hymn and since there are 6 verses, I am focusing on just 2 of my favorites:
May the love of Jesus fill me As the waters fill the sea; Him exalting, self abasing - This is victory. | May His beauty rest upon me As I seek the lost to win, And may they forget the channel, Seeing only Him. |
So often, I mess up as a parent. My kids see the ugly side of me at times. My prayer is:
"And may they forget the channel, seeing only Him."