Re-wiring Minds for Eternity

 “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Col 3:1—2).

Christian faith is not just a set of beliefs but involves experiencing the Lord daily. Growing in faith means experiencing more and more of our Saviour and Lord and becoming increasingly like him.

The Christian life begins when we recognise the need for a saviour and continues as we identify with him in his death and resurrection in Christian baptism. We are seated with him through the spiritual resurrection, though we are still physically on earth. Paul sums up this experience: “Even when we were dead in our trespasses, (God) made us alive together with Christ—by grace, you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus….” (Eph 2:5—7).

People who accept God's salvation through Jesus Christ should also know they are destined for life in another world. They must have a different orientation of mind than the unsaved.

People who have experienced God’s salvation and belong to the world where Christ is should re-orient their minds from things of this world to things of that world. Just as a person who plans to immigrate to another country gets rid of things that are of no use in the new country, learns the language, culture, and manners of the host country, and lives each day waiting for the day of entry in the new country, so must we too; feet on this earth, eyes on the world above with eager anticipation.

Jesus had promised that one day, he would take us to be with him: “I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also” (John 14:3).

This re-orientation of thinking, hopes, and aspirations determines the quality of Christian life we live. Paul reminded Philippians, who were Romans by citizenship, that “our citizenship is in heaven, and from it, we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil 3:20). This realisation of where we belong gives the momentum for the Christian life. Instead of being stagnant, in Paul’s words, we must forget “what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, [and] press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil 3:13—14).

Serve with Power, Love, and Self-discipline

“This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:6—7). Paul wrote this letter towards the end of his life to his young colleague Timothy, who will continue the ministry by caring for the churches they founded. Paul advises Timothy to remain faithful and continue his example in faith and ministry.

To emulate Paul in his life and ministry, Timothy does not need any more spiritual gifts; he has all he requires to serve God and God’s people. But he has to “fan to flame” what he has already received. An ember would slowly die and grow cold if not fanned to flame. Similarly, spiritual gifts given to us for service will die if not used regularly and properly. The master condemned the person who buried the talent, but those who multiplied what they were entrusted with were honoured and trusted with more (Matt 25:14—30). Similarly, the Lord endowed spiritual gifts to us (1 Cor 12) to serve others and help them grow in faith and maturity. If we fail to use them, we fail to serve others, and the gifts may be taken away. Some fear using the gifts of the Spirit they are given. But this contradicts the very nature of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of “power, love, and self-discipline.” On the contrary, “fear” describes a person fleeing the battle. A follower of Christ empowered with the gifts of the Holy Spirit should not flee but keep fighting and advancing. The first step in using the gifts of the Spirit given to us is to realise its inherent power. The second is to love the people we serve so that we cannot withhold using it to serve them. Third, it requires self-disciple, a life structured according to God’s will. For example, a person with the gift of healing (1 Cor 12:9) should not shy away from sick persons but boldly offer to pray, disregarding the medical probability of healing. That is advancing boldly. We can take that bold step only if we love those persons and seek their well-being. It takes self-discipline and re-ordering our personal lives to be there for them and pray for them. It is time for many of us to find out what gifts the Holy Spirit has given us and put them to use for the benefit of others before the ember dies out.