JESUS, THE GREAT ACCOMPLISHER The nature of salvation is implied in this text. This is a salvation that involves both heart and mind, where thoughts are processed and determinations are made. The Kingdom of God is characterized by intelligence – lofty intelligence. A primary place is reserved for thoughts (Psa 139:23), meditation (Psa 5:1), reasoning (Isa 1:18), pondering (Lk 2:19), cogitation (Dan 7:28), and searching of heart (Judges 5:16). Thus we read of "the mind of Christ" (1 Cor 2:16), and "the mind of the Spirit" (Rom 8:27). There is the "renewing of the mind"(Rom 12:2), and things to be thought upon (Phil 4:8). -- Tomorrow:
"And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled, in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight." (Colossians 1:20-22)
Devotion 22 of 32
The framework of thought and contemplation is the context of other key aspects of spiritual life. These include understanding (Eph 1:18), wisdom (Col 1:9), discernment (Heb 5:14), and comprehension (Eph 3:18). In turn, these postulate illumination (Heb 10:32), enlightenment (Heb 6:4), opening the eyes of the understanding (Eph 1:18), revelation (Eph 1:17), and the opening of the heart (Acts 16:14) – all Divine activities.
The "spirit of wisdom and revelation" postulates purposeful thought, for without thought, there really is no benefit to be gained from revelation (Eph 1:17-19; Col 1:9-11). Men may boast of a religion being simple enough for a child to understand. However, if such a thing is true, what will we do with Epistles like Romans, Ephesians, Hebrews, and the likes. In fact, precisely what is there about the "Apostles' doctrine" that is tailored for children? Are we not to "be men" in understanding? (1 Cor 14:20).
A religion that is based upon emotion, or is not challenging to, and productive in, the mind, contradicts the very idea of reconciliation with God. If the point of condemnation involves God NOT being in all of our thoughts (Psa 10:4), then reconciliation necessarily involves Him BEING in all of our thoughts. Those cogitations will be reflected in our deeds, for thoughts and deeds are always in harmony with one another. This is why Satan tempts men to imagine they can think one way and act another way. Such a notion is pure imagination and vanity, and needs to be thrown down to the ground. It is in contradiction of the Gospel of Christ, and there is no truth in it.
While faith impacts upon the emotion, emotion is not its primary quality. Faith is both "substance" and "evidence," "assurance" and "conviction," or being "sure" and "certain" (Heb 11:1). These are all transcendent to emotion, although they do have a sanctifying effect upon that aspect of our being.
Today we are being inundated with an approach to "praise and worship" that is primarily emotional. It lacks spiritual substance, and is not as conducive to thought as is appropriate. Consequently, people can remain very close to the world in their thinking and manners, their speech and their dress. Invariably this shallow approach to the things of God leaves the people abysmally ignorant of the word of God. Scriptural illiteracy has enveloped the modern church like a kind of octopus that suffocates and devours.
These conditions are diametrically opposed to the nature of salvation. They have not impacted the thinking of the people or challenged their understanding. If alienation occurs in the mind, as the Scriptures affirm (Col 1:21), then a religion that leaves the mind out of synch with the God of heaven is actually one that is promoting and sustaining hostility against God.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for a salvation that sanctifies, challenges, and makes the mind productive.