THE POWER OF A NEW AFFECTION

Devotion 9 of 12

"If then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God." -- Colossians 3:1-3, NASB

THE ROLE OF THOUGHT IN SPIRITUAL LIFE

It is unfortunate that thinking is so unimportant in a lot of contemporary religion. Much of the "successful" religion of our day is seriously lacking in the area of thought. It does not challenge our higher nature, nor solicit the involvement of our whole beings. This condition requires frequent program changes and refresher courses, which appear to be growing in number.

Sustained effort cannot exist independently of thought. If our religion does not effect our thought life, it is woefully inadequate, to say the least. We cannot overcome the devil with psychological hype! The "exceeding great and precious promises" of God cannot be appropriated by inactive minds and unfocused affection.

Intellectual simplicity

It is ironic that intellectual simplicity is frequently lauded as though it were a virtue. No serious student of God and Scripture can conclude that divine expression is not challenging to the most prodigious minds. Yet, I often hear people speak of infantile thinking and expression as though it were an advantage. If such things are an benefit, it is only to our lower and unregenerate nature. It gives the advantage to Satan, not to God!

Scriptural "simplicity" is not to be confused with juvenility or intellectual inferiority. A brief examination of the use of this word by the Holy Spirit will confirm this to be the case. "And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity innocently, NIV), and they knew not any thing" (2 Sam 15:11). The word literally means "completeness," or openness; innocence, or full, integrity. Paul uses the word in Romans 12:8. "Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with cheerfulness. The word used here means "singleness, i.e. sincerity (without dissimulation or self-seeking), or (obj.) generosity (copious bestowal):--bountifulness, liberal (-ity), simplicity, singleness."

The same word is used in 2 Corinthians 1:12; "For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward."

"Simplicity," as used by the Spirit, does not mean intellectual simplicity, or a lack of thought. Rather, it means uncomplicated with fleshly or ulterior motives. A "simplistic" expression is one that precisely portrays the heart of expresser. Moses, the prophets, John the Baptist, nor the Apostles were noted for juvenile articulation. Nor, indeed, was our blessed Lord Jesus. Everything about spiritual life involves the mind; nothing excludes it. At no point is the believer thrust solely upon feeling or emotion for sustenance and strength. Even spiritual intuition, or instinct, involves the mind and heart.

I have never met a person who considered the Scriptures themselves unchallenging and intellectually simplistic. The most extraordinary minds the world has ever seen have been challenged by the Word of God. It seems passingly strange that anyone would promote juvenile views of the faith when God Himself has not done so.

-- TOMORROW: RELIGION BY ROTE --