The apostle Paul declared, “And this, knowing the season, that already it is time for you to awake out of sleep: for now is salvation nearer to us than when we first believed. The night is far spent, and the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light” (Rom. 13:11-12)
The heart can fully love God only when the mind is truly awake to Him. Contrary to much of “popular spirituality,” (or, false spirituality) biblical spirituality celebrates the mind. Indeed, since the heart follows the mind and our feelings flow from our thinking, the mind must be not only awake but truthfully informed about God if our heart is to have its proper response to Him. Authentic love for God requires accurate knowledge of God, and such knowledge will not come into our possession if our minds are not engaged.
Sad to say, however, many spend the greater part of their spiritual lives asleep. Many to no make the effort to concentrate on the critical issues that confront our souls. Our minds are not actively engaged with respect to God. As far as all the most important things are concerned, many simply sleepwalk through life. Years are lost in darkness and dullness.
Yet all is not lost. If honesty compels us to admit that we have not been as alert as we ought to be, it is urgent that we wake up. And the biblical injunction to wake is very prevalent. The Light necessary for our spiritual enlightenment is already shining, “Again therefore Jesus spake unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life” (Jn. 8:12). “Again, a new commandment write I unto you, which thing is true in him and in you; because the darkness is passing away, and the true light already shineth” (1 Jn. 2:8). It must be our choice, however, to “awake out of sleep.” Without such a decision on our part, the Light will have little significant effect on us. The old saying that there are “none so blind as those who will not see” reflects truth.
So if we wish our hearts to be aroused to a fervent love of God, then our minds must be awake and aware. If Christianity is what we are thinking about, there need be no conflict between love and knowledge. We must pay reverent attention to the truths of God – This can only be done as we enlighten our minds in the study of the Bible. “Give diligence [study] to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15).
Think About It!
Have A Great Day!
Tom Moore
Park Heights church of Christ
P. O. Box 107
1300 East Boynton Street
Hamilton, Texas 76531
https://fromthepreacherspc.wordpress.com/
“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and sings it back to you when you have forgotten how it goes.”
fromthepreacherspc 