We live in a society that has many needs. It is vital, as Christians, that we do not attempt to relieve every need that we see, but to seek God’s mind first on matters, and allow Him to direct us to particular needs, according to His will. Our good intentions can put our fellow Christians out of God’s will for them. God may be allowing the trial of their faith to establish something for eternity in them, and take them in a new direction. We all know hindsight is a wonderful thing in retrospect, but not helpful in a present situation. Prayer and compassion is always relevant, indifference is unacceptable to a suffering member of the Body, or indeed to anyone.
Jesus never operated out of His own will, but only ever where the Father directed Him. He only ever did the things that pleased His Father. He only spoke the words His Father gave Him, that is why a creative force was released in spirit and life when He spoke. If Jesus had become the provision of every need He ever met, what a mess there would have been. As it was for Jesus, our Pattern man, so it is for us. We need to have the “mind of Christ” on matters.
The scriptures have many New Testament references on the mind of Christ. Romans 12:2 instructs: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what the will of God is, what is good, acceptable and perfect”
Philippians 2:5 “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus……”
In the natural world an apprentice is relegated to a master craftsman to learn his trade. As he progresses to comprehend and apply the skills learnt and practiced, he moves up the ranks, maybe eventually to be a foreman, or manager of others in the work place. He knows and understands what his boss requires and is aware of the dangers and pitfalls of the trade. A good manager is a huge asset to the boss as he knows he can trust him with right decisions for the good of the company, even in his absence.
In our spiritual walk we have to learn to be good stewards of all the talents, finance, provision, gifts, assets and blessings we receive from the hand of the Lord. They do not belong to us. We are stewards of all God has given us. 1 Corinthians 4:2 declares: “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful” As we mature in our walk with the Lord, we have to prove we can be trusted with the Master’s provision we have been entrusted with. When the Lord Jesus instructs us to esteem others more than ourselves, we will not cling to our possessions, but share them freely where the Master instructs. We also have to discern when the Master instructs us to withhold, even when we do not understand why. We do not know what God is working in an another’s life. By withholding we may well offend others, but our priority, as good stewards, must always be to only move towards need as He directs. Our priority must be to live to please God first and not to be a people pleaser. Live to the Head, not to the Body. This is the pathway to live to the glory of God, having the mind of Christ.
There is a British Standard that everything sold has to pass the standards test. God has a standard, the mind of Christ, where everything I think, or do, has to be measured by His standard to be acceptable in His sight. There is one principle that judges all – “…..whatever you do, do ALL to the glory of God”,1 Corinthians 10:31, Colossians 3:17. Whatever I do has to pass the standard on the ground of the Cross and our birthright of resurrection ground. There will be no motives of self acceptable on resurrection ground. It is all for God’s glory, not man’s. Nothing of self can go through the gate of the narrow way. Satan attempts to deceive us and whispers his lies that the narrow way our Saviour walked must be detrimental to us. Lies!! It is a place of indescribable joy and peace as His presence elevates us beyond circumstance, soaring with Him as eagles in clear blue skies, drinking from His well of Living Water. Stand back, humble yourself, get out of the picture, and watch our victorious Saviour take control.
Philippians 4:7 “And the peace of God which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”
