To Think

To think. Yes, to think. It is of the greatest privileges granted to finite minds. In the thoughts, one can expound on the great mysteries of eternity. Accompanied by the will and the affections, the mind, which often attaches itself to temporal joys, can search the the inner part of one's heart and seek after the treasures of the infinite.

God has granted this gift of thought to every man, in whose hearts rest eternity (Eccl. 3:11). We, by the gracious hand of the Almighty, without Whom we can do nothing, bear the incredible ability to simply think -- to use the mind to reason, imagine, and communicate. Our song of praise ought to be lifted to Him for such a gift.

Yet in sin, mankind has used the very gift of thought as a weapon against the Creator, making it an idol of the heart. Philosophy, which ought to serve as the handmaiden to theology, has become a mistress to the flesh. Empiricists trust in science, which the Father created, to disprove His very existence. The creation takes the place of worship for the Creator. Unregenerate, we rebel against the King with the very ability of thought He has given to us. All the while, He who sits in heaven laughs (Ps. 2:4).

But in spite of our rebellion, because of His mercy and the great love with which He loved us, the Lord has made it possible to become renewed in our minds and thoughts. From death to life, we come by the power of the Holy Spirit and the work of Jesus Christ. The old man, in his works as well as his thoughts, has been put to death. The new man stands in subject to the King to whom renewed minds produce renewed thoughts to serve in praise, not rebellion.

My friend, I ask you, are you living in rebellion to the King who punishes transgressions, both in word, deed, and thought with eternal damnation? Have you repented of your insurrection? What I have written is hard for the heart, for it is truth. But you can have peace, of which you will never have without faith, knowing that Christ has reconciled us to the Father through His death and resurrection (Rom. 5:10). In Jesus, we have been brought from being foes to being family with God Almighty. Believe in Christ, trust in Him, and you will have peace with God.

If you stand redeemed by Christ's work on the cross and believe in His name, live with your mind in subjection to the Holy One. Flee sexual immorality, impurity, and greed in your thoughts and pursue righteousness and holiness. Let your mind be sanctified as you seek the things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father (Col. 3:1). Open the Scriptures and train your mind, which the Spirit has renewed, to contemplate the truths of God's person and work. Kneel before the throne and plead for the Father to fill you with His knowledge. Fear the Lord, for that is the beginning of all wisdom and knowledge (Prov. 1:7, 9:10).