THINKING AND SPIRITUAL LIFE
"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing EVERY THOUGHT into captivity to the obedience of Christ." (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)

Devotion 3 of 12

A DIVINE INDICTMENT
     God indicts the human race for its thinking. Often sophists focus their attention on the outward expressions of the ungodly, and there is certainly a place for such. But we must not begin or stop there. Wicked deeds proceed from wicked thinking. The Lord admonishes the "unrighteous" to forsake their thoughts. The reason for the admonition is simply this: they are not the  thoughts of God. "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his THOUGHTS: and let him return unto the LORD, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. For My THOUGHTS are not your THOUGHTS, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD. For as the  heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My THOUGHTS than your THOUGHTS (Isa 55:7-9).

     Returning to the Lord involves an abandonment of wayward thinking. He seeks more from us than an empty profession, or a surface determination. Both of these expressions must proceed from right thinking. Where our thinking is at variance with the Lord, it must be forsaken. When the thoughts  of God are not our thoughts, a serious condition exists. There must be no attempt to explain the situation.  It must be forsaken. A return to the Lord is not possible until we make war on wayward thinking.

FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD IN OUR THOUGHTS
       Theological circles tend to be ambiguous about the subject of "fellowship with God." For some, this is a purely emotional experience, not subject to rational explanation. For others, it is just a term, without any real meaning at all. If we "were called into the fellowship of His Son, Christ Jesus our Lord" (1 Cor 1:9), we need to know something of its involvements. Salvation includes  fellowship with the Father and the Son. As it is written, "truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ" (1 John 1:3). How is that "fellowship" maintained?

The realm of fellowship
     The realm of thought is the realm of fellowship! Whether we speak of fellowship with one another, or fellowship with the Lord, thinking is at the heart of the association. Walking with God, for example, depends upon our accord with Him. Thus it is written, "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?"  The absurdity of such a thought is accentuated by the Holy Spirit.  "Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing? Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no gin is for him? shall one take up a snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all?" (Amos 3:3-5). To suppose that fellowship with God  Almighty is possible independently of thought is as unreasonable as a lion roaring at random, or a bird falling into a trap that has no allurement. The people of God must be encouraged to consider the mind as a rich resource, and their thoughts as a highway for divine fellowship!

Deep, but not too deep
     Consider the expression of the Psalmist, who lived without the advantages of the new birth, remission of sins, or the gift of the Holy Spirit. He spoke as a man ahead of his time, challenging those of all ages. "O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy THOUGHTS are very deep" (Psa 92:5). "Very deep" does not mean "too deep!" Rather, it means they are challenging, refreshing, and  invigorating! Divine thoughts are profound, yet within reach of the most lowly believer! They require the involvement of the whole person, and yield transcendent  benefits! This is due to the indispensable influence of the Holy Spirit. As it is written, "But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him," God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For what person knows a man's thoughts except the spirit of the man which is in him? So also no one comprehends the THOUGHTS of God except the Spirit of God" (1 Cor 2:9-11).

PRAYER POINT: Father, in Jesus' name, help me to experience Your thoughts, and thus Your fellowship. Give me grace to subordinate thoughts that arise from the flesh, and give heed to those of the Spirit.

-- TOMORROW: PRECIOUS THOUGHTS --