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SUMMARY

Here are the main points of the article:

• Accepting Christ makes you a new creation with a new operating system. You are equipped with a fresh operating system, filled with divine code designed for transformation.
• Learn to use your new operating system. Sin will attempt to interrupt this new program, but you have the power to choose alignment with God’s truth in your thoughts, actions, and identity.
• Renew your mind daily by sending “updates” to your soul from the new operating system. The renewal of the mind is a real and tangible process that reflects the brain’s ability to reshape itself in alignment with new patterns of thought and truth.
• Meditate on God’s word, pray, and actively choose gratitude. These practices help your mind become clearer, freer, and more aligned with divine purpose.
• Do not be a slave to sin, fear, or external forces. Be mindful that social engineers, think tanks, media, and culture attempt to control your thoughts and influence your decisions.
• Let God’s word govern your mind rather than external forces. The story you believe in will shape your identity and your life.
• Sin is an attempt to save ourselves. In God’s story, salvation is His work alone; our role is to rest in His finished work.
• Abide in Christ. This connection with Christ is what activates and energizes your new creation, empowering you to live in full alignment with God’s will.
• Intentionally take practical steps for spiritual activation:
  • Meditate on the Word
  • Confess your sins
  • Practice gratitude
  • Surrender daily
  • Pray for renewal
  • Stay in community
• Move from death to life through mental and spiritual alignment. Transformation begins when you accept the truth of God’s word and step into the new life and purpose His victory offers.
• You are a new creation, equipped with a divine operating system. Renew your mind and align it with God’s truth to fully embrace the life He has called you to live.

RESURRECTION LIVING IN THE POWER OF CHRIST’S

Paul’s words challenge us to move beyond merely admiring Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. He beckons us to embrace the full power of His resurrection—a force so potent it does more than forgive sin. It dethrones sin. The cross doesn’t just pay a debt; it destroys the debtor’s claim. The resurrection isn’t just a future hope; it’s a present reality—a transformation waiting to be unleashed in your life.

This isn’t a call to mere obedience; it’s a call to abide in the restored creation. To be “alive to God” is to step back into the purpose humanity was designed for—dominion, creativity, and partnership with the Creator. It’s about reclaiming your role as a co-creator in God’s Kingdom, shaping the world through His-story, not the broken one the world tries to impose on you.

NEW CREATION, NEW OPERATING SYSTEM

When we accept Christ, we are made new—a new creation with a new operating system. This means our core programming has fundamentally changed. As God promised in Jeremiah 31:33,

“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”

God has inscribed His law, His truth, and His purposes into the very core of who we are. We have a new Operating System running on new code.

While the old operating system was trapped in cycles of sin, death, brokenness and dysfunction, the new operating system is crafted for wholeness, peace, and proper function. It is perfectly synchronized with God’s design and will, empowering us to live in alignment with His purpose.

This transformation ushers in a life of flourishing, where every aspect of our being operates as intended, reflecting the divine harmony and order that God envisioned from the beginning.

But just like any new operating system, we must learn how to use it. Sin, like pesky popup ads, tries to interrupt the program. It bombards us with old triggers, old patterns, and old stories, attempting to pull us back into alignment with the fallen self. And we must refuse to “click” on them.

This is why Paul exhorts us in Romans 6:13:

“Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to Him as an instrument of righteousness.”

Righteousness is not sinlessness it is alignment—choosing to align your thoughts, actions, and identity with the truth of God’s story. Not only does Paul tells us what to do, he tells us how to do it. If righteousness is alignment , and it is, then by aligning ourselves with God, we become unavailable to sinful impulses.

RENEWING YOUR MIND: THE SPIRITUAL PRACTICE

Transformation doesn’t happen overnight. Romans 12:1 reminds us that we must renew our minds. This renewal is not a one-time event but a daily process of sending “updates” to our souls from the newly installed OS. The old creation has left deep grooves in our minds—neural pathways carved by years of sin, shame, and survival mechanisms. But God’s Word, the gospel (godspel—the “good spell”), has the power to overwrite those tracks with “God’s Good Story.”

By frequently practicing spiritual disciplines—meditation on Scripture, prayer, worship—we rewire our brains. Even when it feels unnatural at first, consistency creates new grooves, new pathways, and a new identity rooted in Christ. As our physical brains adapt and transform, the holographic projection we perceive as the mind evolves alongside it.

As our physical brains adapt and transform, the holographic projection we perceive as the mind evolves alongside it.

The mind, which can be “understood” as a holographic projection of our thoughts, emotions, and perceptions, is deeply intertwined with the physical structure of the brain. When the brain changes—whether through learning, healing, or habit formation—this mental projection also undergoes transformation. Neural pathways shift, new connections form, and as the hardware rewires itself, the software of our consciousness adjusts accordingly. The renewal of the mind is not just a spiritual concept but also a tangible reality that reflects the brain’s ability to reshape and align itself—aka neuroplasticity—with new patterns of thought and truth.

This bidirectional relationship between the brain and the mind underscores the profound impact of consistent spiritual practice. When we meditate on God’s Word, pray, or actively choose gratitude, we are not just changing our mindset; we are physically reprogramming the brain from the New Operating System God calls the New Creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).

In doing so, the “holographic projection” of our mind becomes clearer, freer, and more aligned with the divine purpose embedded within us.

BREAKING THE SLAVERY MINDSET

The Israelites were freed from Egypt, yet they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, still bound by a slavery mentality. Physically, they were out of Egypt, but mentally, Egypt was still in them. They lived just 150 kilometers from the Promised Land, but the distance in their minds was far greater.

Like them, many of us are free in Christ but still live like slaves to sin, fear, and external forces. Social engineers, think tanks, media, and culture bombard us with narratives designed to control our thoughts and decisions.

The term “government” has its roots in the Latin word gubernare, which means “to steer, pilot, direct, guide, or rule.” This imagery evokes the notion of navigating a ship, symbolizing leadership and control. The latter part of the word, mentes, derives from the Proto-Indo-European root men, which signifies “to think.” This root forms the basis of words associated with thought processes, mental states, and cognitive qualities.

In essence, “government” implies more than just external rule or authority; it suggests the act of steering and shaping minds. This etymology highlights the profound influence of governance, not just over physical actions, but over thought, perception, and the direction of collective consciousness. Governments, by their nature, serve as pilots of societal thought, guiding the mental frameworks within which individuals operate. Understanding this foundational meaning challenges us to consider: who or what is steering the thoughts that guide our lives?

Who will govern your mind—external forces or the truth of God’s Word?

The mind is the battlefield, and the story you believe will determine your identity. Identity is the foundation of all action—you will never rise above the story you tell yourself, or worse, the story you have bought into. Are you really just a sinner saved by grace?

If you believe the old narrative, you’ll continue walking in the old creation. But if you embrace God’s narrative, you step into the new creation as a regenerated spirit, alive in Christ.

HAMARTIA: THE STORY OF SELF-SAVING

Sin (hamartia) is often framed as “missing the mark,” but at its core, it’s the attempt to save ourselves. It’s the old story—one of striving, control, and self-reliance. But the gospel flips that script. In God’s story, salvation is His work, and our role is to rest in His finished work.

This rest isn’t passive; it’s active trust, a spiritual practice of abiding in His presence through prayer. Afterall, He is the one who said,

“Tell the people of Israel: Be careful to keep my Sabbath day [day of rest, a spiritual practice], for the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between me and you from generation to generation. It is given so you may know that I am the LORD [the eternal (one) ], who makes you holy.” (Exodus 31:13)

Contrary to popular christian myth, holiness is not achieved, holiness is received. It’s choosing, moment by moment, to reject the popup ads of sin and align your mind with the truth of His Word. It’s spiritual practice—abiding in Christ. As He Himself instructed us in the New Covenant chapter,

“I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing. ” (John 15:5)

If the New Creation is like having a new operating system with divine code installed, then abiding in Christ is the act of plugging into the power source that activates and energizes this marvellous creation. It is through connection with Him that the system comes alive, allowing us to fully function as God intended, empowered to live, grow, and thrive in His design.

PRACTICAL STEPS FOR SPIRITUAL ACTIVATION

1. Meditate on the Word: Let Scripture overwrite the old stories in your mind. Install the “updated code” in your mind to maximise the full potential of the New Creation. Tech enthusiasts can think of renewing the mind as installing drivers that allow the mind to interface seamlessly with the New Creation operating system. Meditation fills our inner eyes with god’s vision. Start with Romans 6:13 and Romans 12:1.
2. Confess your sins: Our sins have already been paid for. Hand them over to Jesus, they belong to Him now. Reject guilt. Feeling guilty is often a misguided attempt to atone for our sins, as though we could somehow pay for them ourselves. But Christ’s sacrifice was complete and sufficient; there is nothing we can add to it. His work on the cross is all that is needed for our redemption. Confession clears away the debris of the past. See 1 John 1:8-10.
3. Practice Gratitude: Gratitude rewires your brain, shifting your focus from scarcity to the abundance of God’s goodness. No longer are we victims of the past; we are citizens of the Kingdom, both present and future. Gratitude opens our eyes to the wealth of blessings that God has already made available to us. As we cultivate this practice, it becomes clear on the inner “screen” of our hearts and minds. We stop dwelling on our perceived lack and become consumed with the overwhelming abundance of God’s grace and provision. Gratitude transforms our perspective, turning our hearts toward the fullness of His promises rather than the emptiness of what we thought we lacked.
4. Daily Surrender: Each day, present your body and mind to God as an instrument of righteousness in abiding prayer. Surrender allows God to work while we rest. Begin with John 15 and Isaiah 64:4.
5. Pray for Renewal: Ask God to help you align with His story and silence the noise of the world. Begin with Psalm 46:10.
6. Stay in Community: Surround yourself with people who reflect your true identity in Christ and inspire you to grow. Community is like having a support system that strengthens your faith, offering guidance and encouragement as you navigate the new operating system of your life. Together, you can troubleshoot challenges, celebrate victories, and keep each other aligned with God’s purpose. See 1 John 1:5-7.

THE DIVINE NARRATIVE: YOUR ROLE AS CO-CREATOR

God’s story doesn’t conclude with Christ’s death—it triumphs in His resurrection. Being united with Christ means stepping into life as a co-creator in His Kingdom, moving from death to life through mental and spiritual alignment made possible by intentional spiritual practices.

Spiritual practices are the means by which we create space for the new spiritual operating system to function properly. They enable us to align our hearts and minds with God’s truth, allowing His divine design to work within us and through us.

TECHNICAL: Spiritual practices are intentional acts through which we create space for the new spiritual operating system to function properly. This space doesn’t materialize on its own; it requires deliberate effort and time. In a world filled with distractions, nature abhors a vacuum, and the physical, material world will quickly invade and flood any space we take from other things. Without intention, the noise and demands of everyday life will reclaim that space. Guarding this sacred space is not passive—it is a purposeful and sacred activity that must be done with focus and commitment. Just as in Genesis 2:15, where God commands humanity to “cultivate and guard” the garden, we are called to cultivate and guard the space within us that is meant for divine interaction. Setting aside time for prayer, meditation, worship, and reflection creates a sanctuary for the Holy Spirit to work within us. This is how we cultivate the fertile ground for our spiritual transformation, allowing God’s truth and His will to shape our thoughts, actions, and identity. Just as a gardener tends carefully to the soil, we must tend to our hearts, ensuring that we are actively nurturing our relationship with God and making room for His transformative work in our lives.

We don’t merely identify with Christ’s death and the payment for our sins; we are called to go beyond that. We identify with His resurrection, embracing the restoration of creation that begins within us and works through us. This transformation starts when we accept—stop resisting and agree with—this profound truth, stepping into the new life and purpose His victory offers.

Although old patterns may persist due to the brain’s plasticity, we are no longer bound or trapped by sin. Through intentional alignment with spiritual practices, we can remould our physical brains, reshape the projection of our minds, and transform the lives we live as a result. This renewal is both a spiritual and physiological process, empowering us to break free from past habits and step fully into the freedom and resurrection of our new creation in Christ.

You are a new creation, equipped with a divine operating system, designed to walk in righteousness, unleash creativity, and exercise dominion as God originally intended.

The world may try to write its story over you, but God’s godspel—His “good story”—is stronger. Align with it. Agree with it despite what you hear, see and feel. Step into it. Renew your mind. Align with His truth. And watch as He transforms you into His image, one day at a time. And as Romans 12:1 says, transformation will be our lived experience.

Isn’t that what we are all after? Transformation of our situations, circumstances, our lives and the world at large!

“And so, dear brothers and sisters, seeing all the benefits that God has ready for you, I strongly instruct to bring your bodies to God in abiding prayer. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.”

Romans 12:1 by Peter hasert

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

• What is the role of spiritual practices in reshaping our minds and living in the New Creation?
• How does the concept of the New Creation challenge traditional understandings of sin, salvation, and our relationship with God?
• What are the practical steps we can take to align ourselves with the Divine narrative and experience transformation in our lives?