The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…
"The Mind: Life Or Death"
Why are human beings marvelously conscious of ourselves, others, and the universe in which we exist?
Only two possibilities exist to answer this profound question. Either, as materialists propose, matter made mind. Or, as believers affirm, a Mind made matter (and also the minds of human beings to know it).
"All things were made by Him" (John 1:3).
No complete definition of mind exists. We recognize the wonder of consciousness involves both spiritual and material components. Our brains function physically, electrically, and chemically as the organ in which thoughts take place. However, thoughts are more, much more, than merely physical. Indeed, the Bible emphasizes proper thinking because thought involves spiritual and earthly realities functioning together, whether well or poorly.
"To be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace" (Romans 8:6).
If matter made mind, we have no real capacity to freely think. The universe in which we live not only formed our thoughts, but also controls them by material, environmental influences. Conversely, if mind - the mind of the Bible's God - made matter, a blessed privilege and solemn responsibility ever lies before us to freely exercise our thinking capabilities for His glory, our personal benefit, and the blessing of others and the world in which we live.
"Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things" (Philippians 4:8).
For believers, two truths profoundly establish the foundation for the fulfillment of our calling to "think on these things."
"The just shall live by faith… Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 1:17; 10:17).
If we live by faith, and if the Bible nurtures faith, we must keep our minds near to the pages, promises, and propositions of God's Word. This constitutes another reason for consistent reading of the Scriptures, as the Apostle Paul commanded: "Give attendance to reading" (I Timothy 4:17). Unless providentially hindered, we must regularly attend our personal Biblical classroom for the purpose of learning to think well. Our spiritual enemies continually challenge us to think carnally rather than spiritually, with dire consequences if we respond to their enticements. Indeed, it was to and about believers that Paul wrote…
"To be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace" (Romans 8:6).
Whether we experience the present and involved life of God that dwells in our spirits, or the death that resides in our flesh, depends to a large degree on Biblically guided thinking (Romans 8:10-11). We can only believe with our hearts the promises of God that enter through our minds. We can live as if God and His grace do not exist, and are not dynamically resident in our hearts and lives - "carnally minded." Or we can walk in reality, namely, "God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work" - "spiritually minded" (II Corinthians 9:8). Yes, the Mind that made our minds beckons us to His Word, wherein we learn to use this "fearfully and wonderfully made" capacity to think in a living way only Truth can motivate, guide, and enable. "Quicken (enliven) me, O Lord, according unto Thy Word" (Psalm 139:14; 119:107).
Consistent reading of the Bible involves a life or death matter in our walk with the Lord. We cannot believe promises, obey commands, or rightly exemplify and communicate the Lord Jesus if we do not keep our minds fresh in God's Word, whereby we keep our hearts aflame with the grace and truth the leads us in His life. The prophet understood this, and we close with his beautiful personal affirmation of the gift of God's Word. May it be ours as well…
"Thy words were found, and I did eat them, and Thy Word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart, for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts."
(Jeremiah 15:16)
Weekly Memory Verse
In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
(I Thessalonians 5:18).
7251
No comments:
Post a Comment