Continuing in our series where we consider what constitutes discipleship, we again focus on discipline - this time the discipline of the mind.
Have the Mind of Christ
The Christian who makes a difference is called upon to have 'the mind of Christ', a mind that is not so much concerned with intelligence and fact gathering (although that is involved) as it is with character. Indeed, we are encouraged to exercise mental discipline, not simply to acquire information but to increase in wisdom to humbly walk with the Lord. Paul wrote:"...whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things" (Phil. 4:8)
'True', 'noble', 'just', 'pure', 'lovely'', 'of good report', these are the qualities that must stand out. Let this mental discipline be habitual.
Paul speaks of coming up against those who, with a worldly point of view and ungodly rhetoric, oppose the gospel and the servant of God. But those with the mind of Christ and the Word of God are able to resist and overcome such opposition.
"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 Cor. 10:4,5).
In the Philippian letter, the importance of the inner self, summed up in the words 'heart' and 'mind', is highlighted even further by the offer of the help and protection of God. Paul advised:
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made know to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Phil.4:6,7).
This is protection none can do without, and this promise is of the highest quality - a real five star provision. The heart and mind of the believer under the protection of God - that's the kind of insurance money cannot buy!
Although the Bible is the work of many different authors over many centuries, nevertheless it is clear that it is a special collection of books. Those who wrote the histories, prophecies and biographies were inspired by God Himself; therefore God is the real author of the Bible. This claim has been tested time and time again and found to be true. So if God has taken the trouble to write to us, then the least we can do is to read it. And if we are to have the mind of Christ, then there is no more important resource at our disposal. There is no other record of the teaching and actions of the incarnate God that that recorded in the Scriptures. And let's be frank, if the Bible has been authored by the Omniscient One, it must mean that it is the most important book that has ever been written and we neglect it at our cost. A crisis in the early church put a strain on leadership resources but the apostles said, "It is not reason that we should leave the word of God" (Acts 6:2). They knew the importance of the Scriptures. The book of Acts describes the progress of the preaching of the Word in the following terms:
"... they spake the word of God with boldness" (4:31).
"And the word of God increased" (6:7).
"Samaria ... received the word of God" (8:14).
"... the Gentiles had ... received the word of God" (11:1).
"... the word of God grew and multiplied" (12:24).
"... they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews" (13:5).
"Sergius Paulus, a prudent man ... desired to hear the word of God" (13:7).
"And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God" (13:44).
"And he continued there (Corinth) a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them" (18:11).
"So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed" (19:20).
The progress of the gospel was measured in terms of the progress of the knowledge of the Word of God. How can we be true disciples, to witness to the Word, if we are weak in our knowledge of it? Let it be our meat and drink - let us read and digest it - let us obey and witness to it.
Read Christ-Glorifying Literature
How privileged we are in this current age. We have a larger and better supply of good Christian literature available to us now than any other generation of people at any other time. Men who walked closely with the Lord have written of their experiences and recorded them for our benefit. For a small sum of money we can purchase the written record of the wisdom of godly men and women. Let us not neglect the Bible, but also let us not neglect the words of discerning Christians who have trodden the path before us. We don't have to re-invent the wheel - we can learn from those who have preceded us. All of us stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before. But let us weigh up our reading matter. An application of Paul's advice surely applies, "avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing they generate strife" (2 Tim.2:23). By that I mean - let us turn to those authors who speak well of the Saviour.
Next time we will examine the subject 'Discipline of the spirit'.
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