The Christian Mind - A Supernatural Orientation

The first aspect of the Christian mind is that it has an eternal perspective. It amazes me how much of our thinking is influence by the secular. We see Christian books stores filled with self-help books, books on family, finances, retirement. Let us just take retirement for an example. Our secular mind says that we have earned the right to retire. Watch the following clip by John Piper.

Your Conduct

Sometimes it would be nice to have a list of 52 rules of how we should conduct ourselves as Christians but then what would that accomplish? Guilt if we did not measure up or pride if we did but would we be more Christ like?
Paul gives two instructions to the Philippian Christians.
First, be like minded. Second, let your conduct be such that it promotes the Gospel. Now that is far more difficult than the 52 rules but remember that it is Christ who lives and works in you for His good pleasure.

Cheap Crosses

My wife and I volunteer in a thrift store that raises money to place Bibles and other literature around the world. My wife takes care of the jewelry for the store. One day someone wanted to know if we had any cheap crosses for sale. That got me to thinking about how we have cheapened the cross.
Jesus said to take up our cross and follow Him. I have heard people refer to physical ailments or physical problems as their cross while others refer to a family member or a friend as their cross. Once again we cheapen the cross of Christ. Crosses are not some cheap piece of jewelry that we wear around our neck, or in our ears or lapels. In the first century the cross was known for what it really was, a means of torture and death. To carry a cross meant to go to a place of death. That was no cheap cross.
Paul tells the Philippian Christians "For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him but also to suffer for him." This is no cross worn around one's neck. Are we prepared to suffer for Him?

The Christian Mind

The evangelical mind has been so influenced by the secular mind-set that I am not sure that they would know what it means to have a Christian mind.
According to Harry Blamires the Christian mind has the following characteristics:
1. It has a supernatural orientation.
2. It has an awareness of evil.
3. It has a concept of truth.
4. It has an acceptance of authority.
5. It has a concern for the person.
6. It has a sacramental cast.
Today we would rather look at what Christianity has for me today rather than have an eternal perspective. We think of truth as relative rather than absolute. We don't know how to define evil as we believe that people are basically good. We could continue down the line and show that the evangelical mindset is not a Christian mind.
Let this mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.

Three Generations of Evangelicals

Someone said that the first generation believed the Gospel and thought that there were certain social entailments. The second generation assumed the Gospel and focused on the entailments. The third generation denied the Gospel and all they had left were the entitlements when there was nothing for the entailments to be entailed to.
Where are we as an evangelical church? I am afraid that we are second generations. We need to go back and gaze upon the face of God.

The Church I use to go to.

The story is told of a man who was shipwrecked on a desert island. After a few years he was finally rescued. As the rescue boat was ready to leave the island the rescuer asked him about the three buildings on the island. "Oh", said the man, "that one is my house and that one is my church." He was asked, "What about that one over there?" The man replied, "Oh that is the church I used to go to."
Sometimes unity is so illusive that it is hard to attain even when we are by ourselves. Churches have divided over many things including the colour of carpet and what type of music they should sing. Paul says, "then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose." Philippians 2:2. There are many things that could destroy the unity but there is one thing that unites us and that is Christ. The old chorus may seem sappy to us now but it is still true that the world only knows we are Christians by our love.

Safely Home

He embarrassed me. Have you ever said that about a fellow Christian because in their enthusiasm for the Gospel they have offended someone? Maybe like Paul they even got thrown in jail. Wouldn't it be better if they had kept their mouth shut?
Randy Alcorn wrote a novel called Safely Home. Now I am not a fan of religious fiction but this is one book I would recommend that all Christians read. If you have ever felt offended by another believer then take time to read this book.