THE PEACE OF CHRIST GIVEN TO YOU

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid . . . These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace . . . Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ" (John 14:27,33; Rom 1:7)

Devotion 11 of 12

RESULT OF THE DOMINANCE OF SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS

From the practical point of view, peace is the result of the dominance of spiritual mindedness. This occurs when the contemplation of the world to come overshadows the consideration of "this present evil world" (Gal. 1:4), together with its effect upon us. This is a reality scarcely known among professed believers. Contemporary churches are plagued with fear and unsettling feelings. The reason for this condition is quite simple; the preponderance of religious offerings deals with the mundane. Varied emphases are found dealing with such things as the family, politics, and economic stability. This has resulted in deficient spiritual vision. It has clouded the wonderful promises of God, obscured the benefits of redemption, and opened the door to the delusive power of Satan. Tumult, confusion, and fear have swept over the modern church like a tidal wave, bringing unrest and other matters related to the lack of peace.

The Word of God is clear on this point, and we do well to take it seriously. "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace" (Romans 8:6). The NIV states this even stronger: "The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace." The "mind controlled by the Spirit" is the one yielded to Him. The Spirit does not dominate where He is not wanted. That is why we are admonished, "Quench not the Spirit (do not put out the Spirit's fire,' NIV)," and "grieve not the Spirit" (Eph. 4:20).

The focus of the Spirit of God is the "things of God." He is not a Commentator on the affairs of this world, whatever their seeming importance. Jesus said that when the Spirit came, He would take the things of Christ and give them to us. Whether a person regards this as limited to the Apostles or not, the fact remains the same: the Holy Spirit of God does not traffic in temporal considerations. Through Christ, He brings to the human race what it could not otherwise obtain! The life that results from His ministry relates to our response to and affinity with God. The peace that He produces is the consequence of our persuasion of the truth of His testimony.

Spiritual mindedness involves the contemplation of access to God "now" and a reign with Christ "then." Romans 8:5 describes the spiritual man this way, "those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires" (Romans 8:5, NIV). Do not think for one moment that the Holy Spirit desires solidity for the USA, stable marriages, and financial security. This is not, nor has it ever been, His focus. It is not that these considerations are sinful. Rather, they cannot be allowed preeminence. We dare not attach to them importance not afforded to them by the Holy Spirit of God. If we do so, we will forfeit His peace, which is indispensable if we are to "reign in life" (Rom. 5:17).

Think again of the concentration of the Spirit. It is not possible to be "spiritually minded" if we are out of harmony with that aim. "But God has revealed it to us by His Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words" (1 Cor. 2:10-13).

It is difficult to conceive of anything stated with more clarity, and yet it has been missed by multitudes. The Spirit of God deals with "the deep things of God"; i.e., things that are not accessible through earthly wisdom. They are things that deal with the "eternal purpose" (Eph. 3:11) of God, or the "will of the Lord." He brings to the regenerate "the thoughts of God." These are not the view of God concerning your present earthly circumstance. They are not a Divine interpretation of the political, social, or domestic climate in which you find yourself. Although He does have "thoughts" about these matters, they are not His primary thoughts. As far as we are concerned, "the thoughts of God" have to do with the salvation and sanctification of men through Jesus Christ. That is why the Spirit is said to reveal "what God has freely given us." This is not an apt description of physical health, or the possession of silver and gold. Rather, these are matters that pertain to the reclamation of humanity from the fall.

Note carefully what is said of the Spirit's ministry. It is an appeal to man's rationality. He expresses "spiritual truths in spiritual words." He uses an understandable, yet exalted, vocabulary. Employing "words" introduced by Moses and the prophets, He reveals to the "saved" the extent of their salvation, and the glory of the "world to come" (Matt. 12:32; Mark 10:30; Heb. 2:5). Words like salvation, redemption, washing, justification, etc., are expounded to the human spirit through the Gospel. The individual that gives heed to the ministry of the Spirit becomes conversant with eternal things. Such can associate themselves with the "exceeding great and precious promises" (2 Pet. 1:4), thereby deriving encouragement and comfort.

The peace of which we speak results from this ministry of the Spirit. Once the human spirit is dominated by a consideration of these things, "who can make trouble?" (Job 34:29). This is what is meant by the affirmation, "to be spiritually minded is life and peace." This peace "passes all understanding" (Phil. 4:7). It cannot be satisfactorily explained by worldly wisdom. Its presence defies the ordinary rules of logic. There really is no earthly explanation for it, and yet the heart is stabilized by its presence.

Spiritual mindedness involves a relationship to the Word of God. The realities that are contemplated by the child of God are declared in Scripture. Those who develop an appetite for these things are said to have "great peace." "Great peace have they which love Thy law: and nothing shall offend them ("make them stumble," NIV) (Psalms 119:165). It is greater than the difficulties they endure. It is more prominent than the worldly opposition incurred because of their faith.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You through Jesus Christ for the blessing of spiritual mindedness.

-- TOMORROW: PEACE IS SELECTIVELY BESTOWED --