We Really Are Different

As a Christian sometimes it feels like we are shouting into the wind. Things that seem so clear to us appears to be lost on people. We forget that we are no longer what we were; we have been changed, made into a new creation. Our mind is transformed so we see from a different perspective. Our priorities are different but so is our ability to understand the will of Jesus. Those without the Spirit do not have the mind of Christ:

Spiritual people comprehend everything, but they themselves aren’t understood by anyone. (1 Corinthians 2:15)

So when we are talking about abortion, homosexuality, or any of the hot button issues of our day, we really don't have a common ground from which to talk. People without the Spirit honestly believe that they are logical in their argument. We should be able to understand this because it is from what we were before Jesus. Isaiah described what it is was without the Spirit of God:

Who has known the mind of the Lord, who will advise him?

Paul the apostle quoted this as he described it in 1 Corinthians 2:16 but he didn't leave it there. He let us know there is a difference since the Spirit now resides in us:

But we have the mind of Christ.

And that is why we see everything so different from our friends who are without Jesus.  They are arguing from the focal point of this world but everything we knew has been redefine by the cross, the empty grave, the ascended Lord and the receiving of the Holy Spirit. We can express the perspective of heaven to our friends but I see no point in arguing about it.

Jesus told us:

Don’t give holy things to dogs, and don’t throw your pearls in front of pigs. They will stomp on the pearls, then turn around and attack you. (Matthew 7:6)

We would save ourselves a lot of trouble if we could accept that without the Spirit of God, the world cannot understand the value of the pearls. Yahweh's logic seems like foolishness to them. In these end days the difference is going to become more pronounced. We need to expect this. Love them, but don't change to try to get them to understand. The enemy will try to trip you up with this by telling you that if you compromise a couple of things your friends may be saved. Instead, you may be lost. Leave it to the conviction of the Spirit. You stay faithful to Jesus.

  

Do Angels Still Speak?

If you ask me how God does something my response will be, however he wants to do it. If the Bible teaches us anything it is that our God responds in a diverse manner that suits the person and situation. So, would God use angels to convey something to us? It wouldn't be beyond him so I wouldn't rule it out, by why would he put a mediator between us and him?

In ancient times God had to communicate to us through prophets and angels. There are a few examples of God speaking directly to people but they were exceptions. However all of that changed with Jesus Christ:

In the past, God spoke through the prophets to our ancestors in many times and many ways. In these final days, though, he spoke to us through a Son. God made his Son the heir of everything and created the world through him. (Hebrews 1:1-2)

God revealed his heart, his plan, his great mysteries through the Son, and then something really amazing happened. Jesus returned to the Father so that he could send us the great Comforter, the Holy Spirit. This is the Spirit of God who now dwells in us, making us one with Jesus; Jesus in us and us in him. Here is the truly amazing thing:

Spiritual people comprehend everything, but they themselves aren’t understood by anyone. Who has known the mind of the Lord, who will advise him? But we have the mind of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:15-16)

We do not have the Holy Spirit on us like the prophets did in ancient times. The Spirit would come on them as they needed to act or speak God's will. Instead we have the Spirit of God in us, living in us, giving us the mind of Christ, that we would know and do the will of God.

There was a time when God could only speak to his people through angels and prophets but we are now one with God so that he speaks to us directly. The question is, are we listening?

We have to be careful because there is one who wants to drive us into confusion and cause blindness to God's people. He has done it to the world and of late he has been effective in the Body of Christ:

The god of this age has blinded the minds of those who don’t have faith so they couldn’t see the light of the gospel that reveals Christ’s glory. Christ is the image of God. (2 Corinthians 4:4)

Don't allow the lies of the enemy to cut you off from communication with our Father. Don't listen to those who have lifted humanism, morality above the truth of our relationship with the Christ. The Father is still speaking and he is speaking with you. Set aside thoughts of angels and open your ears to the Spirit's voice. Allow him to direct your days according to the will of the Father.

Are You Being Polluted?

My great concern for you and me is that we don't think like God. I mean our perspective is not what it should be. We are surrounded by the knowledge and wisdom of humanity, it is only natural that it should have some affect on us, and we don't know how to handle it. Most of us are not even aware that we are in the enemy's camp and that our heart and mind belong elsewhere.

To humanity its own knowledge and wisdom only makes sense.

It is only logical that people live together without any formal ceremony. What is a ceremony besides a celebration with family and friends of a decision to be exclusive with someone. Why do we need the government to sanction who we decide to live with? And if we get tired of each other and we are no longer happy why bother sticking around? What is marriage if you don't believe in God?

It is only logical that same sex couples be equal to everyone else. Why should they be discriminated against? Isn't it a similar choice to choosing someone who is tall, short, black, white, fat or skinny? Why should any couple be treated as if they are not equal to anyone else? It only makes sense to our human logic.

It is only logical that a woman should have the decision making power over her body. That life that is growing in her is part of her. Without her there would be no life so it only makes sense that if she doesn't want it she should be able to get rid of it. Hey, God said that a man spilling his "seed" was wrong too so what's the difference? Christian men everywhere use condemns so what is the big deal if women make decisions about their bodies?

It also only makes sense that if a person feels they have lived long enough and they want to end it on a high they should have the right to make that choice. Is it not our life to do with what we wish? If I decide that I am  tired of living what right does any government have to tell me that I can't end it as I see fit? If a woman can make a decision about a life in her why should we not all have that right about our own lives? If someone is facing a horrible disease and decides they don't want to put their family through that kind of suffering, what right does anyone have to tell them no?

See, human logic makes sense when Jesus is left out of it, and we leave Jesus out of it.

Many Christians fall for the trap of human logic because they don't know that God said no. The world lives by its code and its logic and followers of Jesus live by God's code, his direction. We do not belong to this world but are citizens of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. We live by a different set of laws and values. We live by the thoughts of God and by his definition of right and wrong. Just because the world says it is right does not mean it is right according to God's values and instructions. The world changes but the Kingdom never does. There are no trends with God, no public opinions, not shifting values.

I am concerned because I have spoken to many Christians who defend the things I have mentioned here, setting aside the Word of God, and using human logic. They use emotions and a definition of love that we do not find in the Bible. They study the Word of God with the idea of trying to prove their position instead of understanding God's instruction. They are totally captivated by the thinking of man. They cannot see the difference because they do not possess the mind of Christ.

It is more important now than ever before that we are a people of the Word and of the Spirit of God. It is more important now than ever before that we become as intimate as we can with Jesus, surrendering every day to him, his instruction and his values. We must possess the mind of Jesus. It is the only way we can guard are hearts and minds for him and keep the pollution of this world from affecting us. The clash between man's logic and the Kingdom of Jesus is increasing and we must shore ourselves up for what is coming. Take the Spirit's direction and make sure that you are solidly established in the Kingdom and not losing ground to the world:

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears,then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4)