Two Foundations of Thinking (part 1)
I think most of us would agree that, the way we think determines the way we feel, and ultimately the way we walk. Solomon once said, “as a man thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). With this in mind, I believe there are two realms of thinking that the church must adopt. These two realms are ones that will keep the body sharp, engaged, and forward-thinking with the purposes given her. These two realms of thinking are ETERNAL and GENERATIONAL.
ETERNAL MINDSET
I believe the system of the age (being instant gratification and self-centeredness) has infiltrated the gospel - the message that was suppose to be viewed an eternal lens, has become more about what it can gain me in this short life. Art Katz says, "Everything in this world conspires against eternity.” This truth has many times caused us to become short-sighted in our vision and ultimately powerless in our reach. It is interesting that when Jesus wanted to tame craving for the “immediate,” He actually taught them about faithfulness in the context of the age to come - He chose to set their eyes on the whole journey. Luke 19:11-19
When I look at the book of Acts and the following epistles, I can’t help but to see a church walking in power and in forward-motion. I see a people devoted to the whole of history. I see Paul moved by the calling to be a father to ones like Timothy and Silas. I can’t help but see Peter’s urgency to hasten the day of the Lord. You see, for the early church, eternity was something they eagerly looked forward to. In addition, they lived in response to that longing, for it was their blessed hope. Titus 2:13
Teach Us to Number Our Days
As Moses addresses the frailty of man and the sovereignty of God in Psalm 90, he says, “As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years. Or if due to strength, eighty years…” (90:10) - going on to pray, “Teach us to number our days…” (90:12). He seems to be expressing a personal revelation about time and the effort spent therein. Moses, a man of faith, understood there was more to existence than a mere 7 to 8 decades. When I read this passage, I can't help but think that this present age serves as an internship for the coming one. How we posture our hearts in this age, determines how we rule in days ahead. Everything we go through, every encounter we experience, is to ultimately prepare us for the age to come. Just as everything that happens in a movie is pointing to the end, so is it in this age.
“Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 NASB
The Passion Translation says it this way: “We view our slight, short-lived troubles in the light of eternity.” 4:16b. Paul saw the eternal glory that made his present afflictions both momentary and light. It is a seeing that affects the present in a very tangible and substantial way. Therefore, the eternal should effect the immediate. In fact, our lives cannot make sense outside of an understanding of the age to come. Most of our life is preparation for that day. We are in a dress rehearsal for eternity, and our preparedness now will effect our promotion then.
Life in this age is like a canvas and we are the painters… At the end of the age, each of us will present a picture to our Master and friend Jesus. Our time, our decisions, the way we spent our money, our relationships, will determine the colors and patterns that go on this canvas… At the end of the age, what will your painting look like?
Verses to meditate on:
“He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame & sat down with My Father on His throne.” Rev. 3:21
“You have made them to be a kingdom and priests… they will reign upon the earth.” Rev. 5:10“…they shall reign forever and ever.” Rev. 22:5
“To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thess. 1:11,12
