The year 2020, and with COVID-19 in tow, thundered on the scene fanning a flame of fear, force and ferocity unlike many can ever recall in years past. That being said, the year 2020 has now faded into the past, and we have officially traversed the dawn of year 2021. Irrespective of any experience and over the course of any year, be of good cheer because there is no cause for DREAD nor FEAR! Lest we become negligent and lose sight of this fact: Let us remember, remind one another and even others that a New Year (or a new day for that matter) has only become a realization because of the unconditional love of the God of all creation.
The Bible explains it this way: “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23). The word “compassion” could be translated as “Love in action”. It’s a living, doing and enduring love. There’s no other brand of love we can count on: We can depend on it; we can rely on it and we can lean on it! Why? The great faithfulness of God knows no equal nor rival! Let us be grateful!
Dearly beloved, the Lord loves us, He cares about us and He’s ALWAYS thinking about us. Did you know that? His mind is preoccupied with us! For those of you who didn’t know it, it’s the absolute truth. He says it in His Word: “Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.” (Psalm 40:5).
Can the same be said for us? If our minds are preoccupied with the Lord, and our thoughts become His thoughts, we are humbled and we then assume His very identity. The character and conduct of the Lord should be operating in full force and effect within us. This is the recipe for a saving faith, or a faith that works:
James 2:14-26...
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”
One who is committed to a life of sacrificial service to the Lord Jesus Christ, is governed by a mind that is fixed and fully focused on Christ: "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore, the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure." (1 John 3:1-3).
The power we wield by a mind that harbors thoughts of peace is immeasurable, and will serve as an effective defense mechanism during episodes of spiritual conflict. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD forever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.” (Isaiah 26:3-4). And yes, I did say “spiritual conflict” or even warfare. The battle rages on until the return of the King of Kings. Thus, it is critical that we remain vigilant, sober and on ready alert.
It’s not a matter of if the Devil will strike, because he will. He will strike at a time, a frequency and an intensity both undetected and undetermined. You can be assured that it will not be broadcasted as breaking news, or even made public on the airways of your local news channels. “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For though the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” (2 Corinthians 10:3-6).
Be advised that Satan’s primary interest is neither you, nor me per se, as an individual member of the Body of Christ. However, he is well aware of and keenly interested in the corporate Body of Christ. Christ, Himself, being the Head of the Body, Satan’s mission is to disrupt, dismantle and annihilate the corporate Body of Christ. He will use scheming, conniving, plotting, pitting and deceiving in order to achieve that end. We must understand and maintain a proper perspective, as these are key in the realm of sound reasoning, sensitivity, consciousness and awareness of our mission as a unified Body of Christ.
The Apostle Paul provides a case-study on what it looks to be on high alert, sensitive and aware of what might contribute to rendering the church vulnerable to Satan’s dastardly deeds. Beware, it can all start with a divisive state of mind and thought patterns that may seem unimportant or significant but nonetheless incongruous with the thinking and mind of Christ: “I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:2,7).
On occasion, it’s just a matter of not recognizing or ignoring the signs or symptoms associated with a particular incident, event, condition, conversation or circumstance. Wisdom can prove most beneficial, and even serve as a preventive measure in such cases. The mind continues to be the portal of entry and source of contention. As the saying goes, “Whatever captures the mind, captures the man.” The Book of Wisdom puts it like this: “Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23). It is absolutely and positively necessary that we exercise caution, care and a watchfulness that reinforces and guards our minds and hearts against being distracted.
Just a note concerning the above Proverb. As you’ve probably noticed, it uses the word “heart”. There is an explanation concerning what is apparently some confusion or misunderstanding. Well, and hopefully, I can offer some clarity. The Hebrew Scriptures didn’t include a word for “mind”. So, the word “heart” was typically used to mean the same thing. That being the case, it’s usage in this context satisfies the requirement.
Finally, the apostle Paul truly captures what a mind of Christ truly looks like and for the successful functioning, edification, vitality, longevity, unity and harmony of a local church. In other words, the Body of Christ. "Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which is also in Christ Jesus:" (Philippians 2:2-5).
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Philippians 4:8).
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