THINKING RADICALLY

THINKING RADICALLY

Monday, January 12, 2015

Genesis [GW] 2:16-17; 3:6 The LORD God commanded the man. He said, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden. But you must never eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil … [Eve] saw that the tree had fruit that was good to eat, nice to look at, and desirable for making someone wise. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband [Adam], who was with her, and he ate it.

Romans [GW] 12:1-3 Brothers and sisters, in view of all we have just shared about God's compassion, I encourage you to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, dedicated to God and pleasing to him. This kind of worship is appropriate for you. Don't become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think. Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants-what is good, pleasing, and perfect. Because of the kindness that God has shown me, I ask you not to think of yourselves more highly than you should. Instead, your thoughts should lead you to use good judgment based on what God has given each of you as believers. [Also note Ephesians 5:13-17]

  The Apostle Paul explains that when we trust Christ, the Word (“logos” Jn.1:1), we immediately become different. This I personally experienced, observed, and am observing; all followers of Christ are of a different nature. (2Cor.5:14-17)

  Yes, immediately different. Immediately complete in our new nature, no.

  Our new nature is in conflict with our old nature. Eternal salvation, everlasting life presently ours, is Lord Jesus Christ’s effectual finished work. Repentance, maturation in thought and resultant deeds, is not employment His. It is our ongoing vocation, also referred to as discipleship. This I continue to noticeably experience since October of my 28^th year (1964), observe, and am observing with continued benefit.

  Is this an easy task? Yes and no, always defined by what we believe; seeing thru the murky fog of unregenerate thinking, or lighted by clear vision thru lens of the Word.

  To illustrate: Lately we have been often hearing “radicalized” popularly applied by media politicians, and social scientist and pundit to violent murderous Islamists. The word is used as though exposure to jihadist thought and persons makes individuals and groups commit terrorist atrocities.

  Consider people: Around same persons and/or circumstance each individual in exposed group reacts differently, or at times in concert; in fury or by faith.

  To illustrate personally: There was a time when I thought persons and/or circumstance made me angry -- Grand excuse no more than skin of a reason stuffed with a lie. By study of and consideration of the Word I concluded that it is impossible for person or circumstance to make me angry. Being angry is a decision based in belief. Anger is a highly individual exercise much based in pride, seldom based in the veracity of the Word.

  Consider Jesus: He recognized wrong in a way that we cannot; the volume of which for us would have been deafening and engulfing to the point distracting resident anger. Did He ever act angry? He did, but take careful note of the instances and consider the why of it.

  Consider Eden: If radicalization through exposure to evil person or presence is factual, then Jehovah God Almighty radicalized Eve, then Adam, by having that tree and serpent available for conversation and disastrous meal.

  “radicalization” is yet another excusing man from the truth of the Word.

  The Word that we are exposed to in many ways, and then must decide what we actually believe of what we hear and see this side of heaven.

EBB4