Personal Object Lessons - Mind yourself ... and others

“Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.” Rom 12 v 16

The basis of all humanity is centred in the mind. René Descartes said “I think, therefore I am.” This philosophical statement is well known and has become a cornerstone for Western philosophy. People think and therefore know that they exist – because they are conscious of the thinking process. This thinking, the way we think, what is in our minds, affects the way we interact with each other. The main line of questions that I have on thinking and the processes of the mind are: “What do we think? How do we think about ourselves and others? ”

The Bible says that we are to be “of the same mind one toward another” (Rom 12 v 16). How are we supposed to achieve this synchronicity in thinking? I have found that the basis of harmony in all things is love.

This compassion is spoken about at length throughout the Bible. A great example of love is recorded in 1 Cor 13; this book is known as the ‘love chapter’. It is like a chemical formula in times of uncertainty and trouble. I have found that there may be times in life when we disagree with each other, it is at times like this when we have to remember that “Charity suffereth long, and is kind... Doth not behave itself unseemly... is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil.” (1 Cor 3 v 4 – 5). Love is like an electrical charge through the mind, it is capable of rewiring our thinking towards one another. Love is the only positive ECT that I can think of.

I recommend large doses of love as an antidote to feelings of separation and loneliness. Love is being in a situation when people have the same mind towards another person: the overriding sentiment is that you want all good things for them.

In Philippians 2 v 2 - 5 Paul writes “Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be like minded, having the same love, being of one accords, of one mind ... Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” If we do not behave selfishly in our actions then we will attain a mind similar to that of the mind of Christ.

The radical Son of God had the mind of love and caring in all His thoughts and actions. This is the perfect example to emulate. The manner in which Jesus acted when He was on the earth is a perfect example of love.

In order to flood our minds with the positivity of love we should focus first on Christ and then we will be able to reach out to each other with one mind, in love.

One amazing fact that the Bible points out is that love lasts longer than either faith or hope (1 Cor 13 v 13).

Harmony does result when there is a commonality in desire, hope and dreams. We can look after ourselves and others when we have the same thinking processes and focus: Christ Jesus. When we are in harmony of mind we have the promise that we will attain peace: “Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.” 2 Cor 13 v 11

Isa 26 v 3 states “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee.” Therefore if individually people focus on God then collectively they will have the same mindset: one of peace and compassion.

©MHMorgan 2011

Personal Object Lessons - Knocking

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Rev 3 v 20

There is a famous Holman Hunt picture called ‘The Light of the World’ that provides an image to go with this verse. Even without the picture we can imagine the scene: there is Jesus, just standing at the door. Jesus, who can do anything and go anywhere at any time, is standing at the door to my life and waiting. Jesus waits for permission to enter MY life.

Sometimes people can force their way into our lives. They situate themselves into our daily routine before we have a chance to know what is going on around us. Jesus is not like that. With all the power of the universe at His disposal Jesus does not create a situation of forced entry. This is not a heavy booted militia exercise with the beating or kicking down of the entrance door. No, this is just Jesus, alone, standing outside of my life and waiting.

As Jesus waits He knocks on the door. Then He calls ... gently. He does not shout out with thunderous noise. He stands there and waits for me to hear His voice, then I will have a choice if I want to open the door. One of the most interesting facts that I remember about this verse - and the Holman Hunt picture - is that the door does not have a handle on the outside. This door, to my life, can only be opened when I decide to unlock it and let Jesus in. Then, and only then, will He come into my life and share with me. It is always my decision and in my time. Sometimes it seems incredulous that the Master of the universe would commit to and patiently settle on a period of waiting - just for me. The fact is that Jesus’ position is firmly established, He has made a covenant to wait for me and He will never fail to tap gently to get my attention. All I have to do is to hear Him, agree to His request and let Him.

The process of allowing Jesus into our lives follows a simple procedure: He knocks, He stands and waits, we open the door, He enters and then He shares – first a meal, and then eternity, with us.

Sharing food has long been symbolic of coming together, of having an agreement and being in fellowship. This verse makes it clear that the process goes both ways as Jesus states, “and [I] will sup with him, and he with me.” When Jesus says that he will partake in the principal meal, the feast of the day, with the person that opens the door to Him, He is saying that He will be a part of the major celebrations of our future. In Jewish times it was common to compare the feast with the delights of future life. This meal is significant because it is the promise of being able to share all our experiences with Jesus, and also being able to share in all His experiences – like eternal life.

All we have to do is to answer the knock at the door and let Him in.

©MHMorgan 2011