As believers, we have a choice every single day. We can choose between the thoughts of this world or the thoughts of the world to come.
That’s why Paul writes, With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused (Ephesians 4:17).
Instead, Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2:16, But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.
Jesus was sometimes vexed by what His disciples were thinking and what the Pharisees were saying. Those two groups seemed to upset Him the most. He didn’t seem to be upset with the tax collectors, the prostitutes, the lepers, or the Romans. And in Matthew 8:10, Jesus tells a Roman centurion, “I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!”
So should we be upset when people who don’t know God do strange things? They can’t possibly think the way Christians think because they don’t know Jesus or have the mind of Christ. If you thought there was no heaven and there are no consequences to our behavior on earth, how would you live? This is why their thoughts are foolish.
As Christians, we came out of this thought pattern—yet unfortunately, it can still stay with us. The two kingdoms are at war in our own minds. We are reminded in 1 Timothy 6:12, Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you.
Jesus fulfilled every part of the law so we don’t have to; yet what should we do with our liberty? What are our aspirations? How do we orient ourselves?
Together, let’s choose to fix our eyes on Jesus, think about what He has commanded us to do, and focus on drawing the world unto Him. God bless you!
Excerpted from a teaching at CBN Staff Chapel. Scripture is quoted from the NLT.
