As a Man Thinks, So He Is. |
Christians need to be Spirit controlled and self-controlled in their thinking. Being controlled by the Holy Spirit is a supernatural opportunity. Being self-controlled is an essential necessity. What we do not need is to be controlled by flimsy thinking, faulty reasoning, false assumptions, fragile emotions, or fake news. We must demand the time to think and develop the habit of thought. Unfortunately, when we become weak or weary we give in to simplistic solutions. For some, denial is the easiest choice. Many Christians simply refuse to see the world as it is and sadly desire to hide in their Christian ghetto and play it safe. They hope to sneak into heaven incognito having never left a mark or made a difference for the cause of Christ. For others, despair controls their thinking. They become overwhelmed and overawed, experiencing the paralysis of analysis resulting in fear, frustration, and a failure to engage the culture. Christians need to move beyond the extremes of denial and despair. Realism demands a response which may include much anger and some angst if we honestly look at and engage the culture in which we live. But we must move beyond outrage at what is, and be optimistic for what is to come. The best way to live in this present world is by realizing the world of the future. I am not talking about the mystical aphorisms found in fortune cookies. I am talking about the future fulfillment of the promise of prophecy. I am speaking of the coming of Christ to restore all of creation for which now we groan but then we shall glory. Jesus gave us the example that should guide us. First, a crown of thorns. Then a crown of Glory. Death to life - Defeat to victory. This may sound radical, but it is reality. Hear the words of sacred scripture expound what I have tried to explain. Romans 8:18-28 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Serving Him with you until He comes for us, Fred |