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Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others. For, “Who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?” But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:15-16 (NLT)
Does it seem to you like the more intelligent we get and the better we get at communicating, the harder it is to know the right answers to the questions of life? Take a look at the struggles around the world. Look at the problems in your own home. Your Church. Your community. What of these problems could be resolved by relationships based on the mind of Christ?
The answer of course, if you are a Christ-follower, is most likely, all of them! The problem is, each of us needs to remember that we live in a world that doesn’t ‘have the mind of Christ’. What does the mind of Christ look like? One needs only look at the gospels.
Jesus lived in a political climate that could best be described as a dictatorship. The Jews, of which Jesus was one, were looked upon as a bunch of religious lunatics! In a society that worshipped many gods, the Jews held to the ridiculous notion that there was one God! There was absolute truth in Judaism, whereas Greco/Roman thinking held to truth on a relative scale. Sound familiar?
Yet the mindset of Christ rose above evil governments, empty religion and a godless society. He lived the kind of life that was attractive to the prostitute, the drug addict, the person held captive by lust or their past or physical and emotional abuse. The mind of Jesus gave enlightenment and wisdom in situations that needed solutions to life. He didn’t concern himself with the external situations. He neither went against or supported any political agenda. His mind was set on helping people cope with the journey called life.
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could have the wisdom to sort through things? Wouldn’t it be great if you could rise above earthly concerns and have the wisdom to find answers for yourself and others in your own little niche’ of the world?
Good news! You can. Paul tells us we have the mind of Christ when we accept him as Savior. Does that mean things on this earth will be easy? Certainly not. Does that mean others will see you as wise? Not a chance.
What it does mean is that when you confess Jesus as Lord of your life he moves in for good. He isn’t just visiting. He’s making a change of residence. When Jesus moves in, lives change, outlook changes even when external circumstances attack, peace reigns.
PRAYER: Father, the more I see of life around me the more frustrated I get. People seem so set on their own agendas that they completely disregard the needs of others. Forgive me for the times I get sucked into that mindset. Empower me by your Spirit to see life as you see it. Help me to live in the wisdom of your word even when it’s contrary to ‘worldly wisdom’. Help others to see Jesus in me. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Buy the truth and do not sell it— wisdom, instruction and insight as well. Proverbs 23:23
When you want something of value you save every penny to get it. Let’s say, for example, you are a collector of fine art and you find a rare painting by your favorite artist, You decide you MUST have this painting so you plan on how to get it.
You give up other things of less importance; cut back on other expenses; perhaps get a second job. You study up on this particular painting and find out all you can about it. You become an ‘expert’ on this cherished of all possessions and the artist who created it.
After all your labors, on that day of all days, if you’ve worked hard and scrimped and saved, the time arrives. You go to the seller to make the purchase. You examine it one more time making sure there are no flaws and that everything is just as it should be. Once assured of this you lay down all that you have to make that cherished possession yours. Success has come. The fruit of all your labor and sacrifice has come. Let the celebration begin.
Now that the picture is hanging securely on the wall, how much would you sell it for? You would no doubt look at me incredulously. “Sell it? I just bought it!” you say. “Do you realize how much I’ve given up for it? The ball games I’ve missed. The fishing trips I’ve passed up? The party invitations I’ve passed on? It’s NOT for sale. No amount of money in the world would be enough. It’s mine.”
Solomon, in all of his wisdom, had enough money to buy anything and everything he wanted. Yet he tells us in Proverbs 23:23 what is really important: Truth. In our world of relativity Truth with a capital ‘T’ is hard to come by. We’ve bought into the idea that Truth is what you make it. What’s true for me isn’t true for you. Honesty is dependent on the situation. Wisdom changes with every new philosophy and whim of mindless, science based religion.
As Christ-followers, each of us is given Truth by the God of the universe, through His Word (the Bible) and His Son Jesus Christ. He has given us His Holy Spirit so that we can gain wisdom in understanding His ways and insight into how to walk this journey we call life. Seek after the Truth He has to offer us by drawing close to Him in relationship. Read His Word. It is still the only source of real truth available. Pray daily and often. What a marvelous opportunity prayer is. To think that we as mere mortals can talk personally with the Creator of the Universe! Don’t let past mistakes and your inability to understand God completely keep you from spending time getting to know Him. As God’s cherished possession, He has given all He has to acquire you and He’ll never let you go.
PRAYER: Father God, there are so many voices that are calling out to me to be tolerant of this or accepting of that. There are so ideas out there that confuse me as to what is right and wrong. I confess to you that I’ve not always followed you as I should. I ask for Your Holy Spirit to empower me to grow in relationship and understanding of Your ways so that they become a part of my daily existence. Thank you for giving so much so that I can live in Truth. In Jesus name, Amen.
Built with Grace 