“If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.” Romans 14:8-9
To simplify our present conscious experience, we exist but for one purpose; to know God and to acknowledge our love for him. This is accomplished by a myriad of thoughts, emotions, and actions that when reduced to a simmer become our theologies and doctrines.
We all, by the grace of God through Jesus Christ, could have simply moved on from this world at the moment of our conversion and skipped happily into eternal heaven - yet for some reason we are still here, still breathing, still thinking, still consuming, still giving; our heart continues, our organs labor well, yet we know this physical life is not all there is; we know there is something more. The question then changes to why are we here, now?
For now, we are held in the palm of God’s own hand. We live at his pleasure and for his purpose. His will drives us forward. As creation we have no autonomy from the creator. Our next breath is by his command; not ours. Our next move in life, be it relational, vocational, or financial rests in the hands of the Almighty God.
We do have choice – free will – but with limits. For if God so desired, our last breath could arrive today, our last heartbeat of life giving blood could be moments away. We do not know our end, only that it will be a new beginning. When we transfer to the other side, I pray we do so gracefully and with Joy, but for today – we live.
Why?
“If we live, we live to the Lord.”
There is still something for us to do. The Author of Salvation has yet another use for us. Yes, us specifically. The Painter of skies, the Breather of stars, the Architect of nature, the Father of philosophy, the Comforter of the weary still has need of us within this world. He yields us as tools for his Glory and for his Honor. If there is breath within us, then the Lord has a purpose for us within this world.
As we enjoy the Love and Joy of salvation we must bring others into his Vine. We remain alive to scatter the seed of salvation for the design and plans of the Kingdom lie within our stewardship. We have but a few years to not only live as the salt of the earth, but also to act as the plowmen, as the sowers.
If we live, may we live to the Lord.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
Think, It's OK.
When Jesus was asked, ‘which command is the most important?’ his answer was two fold: To love God and to love others. On these two truths all other commands hang in the balance. We find in three separate accounts this question posed. In all three variations the first command offers to:
'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' - Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30, Luke 10:27 –
With this proclamation, we have been given the opportunity to love God. We should embrace the entirety of this gift.
The last tool listed in which to love God is the use our entire mind. For various reasons over the past number of years intellectualism which includes logic and rational thought has been frowned upon within the Church. I myself grasp the concept of heart and soul more aptly than I do the concept of strength or mind.
But, if one of these tools falls out of favor, out of use, then the whole of the gift falters. If we restrict our means of loving God, our love in fact suffers and is not whole. The love of the heart, if not accompanied by thoughts of the mind, is weakened causing the strength of the soul to fade. The apostle Paul concedes that knowledge puffs up; however he also advises to be mature in our thinking. Knowledge, thinking, logic, and the use of the mind is not the ends, but the means. The end is Love. The mind is simply a tool we can use to experience the Love of God.
We should not fear the mind. Thought is necessary for something greater – something fantastic – something unfathomable – Loving God and being Loved by Him.
What a great mystery connecting the heart and mind? How can we begin its exploration?
“Who endowed the heart with wisdom or gave understanding to the mind?” Job 38:36
“Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind…” Psalm 26:2
The Psalmist calls out in 7:9 “O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts…”
The Lord advises to “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds…” Deut 11:18
This is echoed in Jeremiah 31 when God promises to place his law in the minds of his people; to write his law on their hearts. Again in Hebrews we are reminded of this testimony of the Spirit.
How are we to delve into the mighty ocean of thought while keeping our hearts pure?
Let’s look to Philippians 4 for advisement.
“…in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
“…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
So Think. Ponder. Question. Inquire. Do not be afraid. Christ Jesus will guard your heart as well as your mind. The end is Love. Use every tool offered.
'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' - Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30, Luke 10:27 –
With this proclamation, we have been given the opportunity to love God. We should embrace the entirety of this gift.
The last tool listed in which to love God is the use our entire mind. For various reasons over the past number of years intellectualism which includes logic and rational thought has been frowned upon within the Church. I myself grasp the concept of heart and soul more aptly than I do the concept of strength or mind.
But, if one of these tools falls out of favor, out of use, then the whole of the gift falters. If we restrict our means of loving God, our love in fact suffers and is not whole. The love of the heart, if not accompanied by thoughts of the mind, is weakened causing the strength of the soul to fade. The apostle Paul concedes that knowledge puffs up; however he also advises to be mature in our thinking. Knowledge, thinking, logic, and the use of the mind is not the ends, but the means. The end is Love. The mind is simply a tool we can use to experience the Love of God.
We should not fear the mind. Thought is necessary for something greater – something fantastic – something unfathomable – Loving God and being Loved by Him.
What a great mystery connecting the heart and mind? How can we begin its exploration?
“Who endowed the heart with wisdom or gave understanding to the mind?” Job 38:36
“Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind…” Psalm 26:2
The Psalmist calls out in 7:9 “O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts…”
The Lord advises to “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds…” Deut 11:18
This is echoed in Jeremiah 31 when God promises to place his law in the minds of his people; to write his law on their hearts. Again in Hebrews we are reminded of this testimony of the Spirit.
How are we to delve into the mighty ocean of thought while keeping our hearts pure?
Let’s look to Philippians 4 for advisement.
“…in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
“…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
So Think. Ponder. Question. Inquire. Do not be afraid. Christ Jesus will guard your heart as well as your mind. The end is Love. Use every tool offered.
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