The mind plays an important part in our walk with the Lord. When we became Christians, it involved our mind. We responded to facts. The Gospel is a message of factual objective truth. Yes, it involves our heart and affections too, but we first are drawn and moved by objective truth. Even the definition of repentance shows us the necessity of the mind in becoming a Christian.
A regular reading intake of the Gospels is vital for Christian growth. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John allow us to “walk with Jesus” as He walked upon the earth. We observe His compassion in healing the sick. We listen to His profound preaching in The Sermon on the Mount. We stand awe-struck over His calming of the seas with just three words of command, “Peace, be still.”
Quick. No time to think. Just talk. Give me at least three reasons why we pray. Some of us might answer; “I pray because God commands me”, “I pray because I need God’s help”, and “I pray because I want God to act in a situation or a person’s life.” Those are good, Biblical reasons for us to pray, but I think there is something far more nobler and a higher reason to pray. It is the reason we see modeled in the Greatest Person who ever prayed; the Lord Jesus.
All Christians know they cannot live the Christian life alone. They need the constant help of God’s Spirit to keep them from sin, promote their holiness, and renew their minds toward eternal things. Remove the Spirit and Christians are done. The commands of God are beyond human capacity. The attacks of the devil are no match for us. And the flesh is so strong, we fail every time we try to subdue it in the strength of self.
Today’s scripture demands a pause and a pondering. We likely are familiar with the Lord’s interaction with the church at Laodicea. As we read His letter to them, He is bringing the most serious of spiritual charges against them; a lukewarm heart. Such a heart is defined as a spirit of indifference toward Him and spiritual things. The seriousness and subtlety of this condition is one doesn’t have to be living in outward gross sin to be in it.
Colossians 3:11 – Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. THEME OF THE DAY: JESUS: THE CHRISTIAN’S CONTENTMENT. Have we recently taken time and pondered all the rich blessings we receive from God by being Christians? The list is long. It would be a good exercise to periodically…