Distance

 Recently I heard a friend's testimony and she referred to the '16 inches'. Explaining further she said it can be the most difficult distance there is. It's not just a distance between head and heart - it's a lifestyle. Further intrigued I came across this:

   "The distance between the head and the heart, in terms of physical location in the body, is roughly 18 inches, according to some sources. However, when referring to the distance between the mind and the emotions, it is often described as the longest journey a person can take, emphasizing the difficulty of translating intellectual understanding into heartfelt action."

I have to credit the unknown Google source for this statement. And yet.... there can be a long journey between head and heart. Some of us are mind based. We use the mind as our filter. Others are emotion driven and it's their feelings that determine their filter. I have a feeling that it is a combination of both head and heart for most people. Do you know which of the 3 defines you?

Quoting Google again:

   "In some spiritual contexts, the 18 inches can be interpreted as the difference between intellectual belief and genuine faith. It suggests that true transformation and connection with a higher power requires more than just mental assent; it requires a heart-felt commitment, according to some sources."

In case there's any doubt... the 'higher power' is God. So how does scripture say about these two forces within us? Does scripture suggest a preference? How did Jesus respond to this 'tug'? When Jesus was with His disciples Peter asked Him about the explanation of one of His parables that might give us His view:

   "But whatever [word] comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and this is what defiles and dishonors the man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts and plans, murders, adulteries, sexual immoralities, thefts, false testimonies, slanders (verbal abuse, irreverent speech, blaspheming). These are the things which defile and dishonor the man;” [Matthew 15:18-20a]

   "... For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. The good man, from his [inner] good treasure, brings out good things; and the evil man, from his [inner] evil treasure, brings out evil things." [Matthew 12:34b-35]

I think that's why we hear the plea in Psalm 51:10

   "Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a right and steadfast spirit within me."

We do know but do we? Do we realize what happened when we were born again? Not just the wonderful gifts that the Lord planned for those who accepted Him but us - who we are, who we can become... what we can do. What is crucial for us to realize is that for some of us we need to close the 18 inches gap between head and heart. But also, we don't do this alone - the Lord is always available to assist us. Now look at John and what we receive in this process:

   "...He who believes in Me [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Me], as the Scripture has said, ‘From his innermost being will flow continually rivers of living water." [John 7:38]

The distance shortened we become carriers of living waters for others in order to give them a cup of cold water.

Examine... next: ALL facets

 For a 'Part 2' I'm going to set out a list of questions/statements and then try and speak to each.

  1. ALL facets of one's person need to be included

  2. Who you are that you are seen as

  3. Who do you want to be remember as

  4. What you are willing to pay to grow and not grow

  5. The connection between desire and fact

  6. The connection between calling and fact

I think I would argue that the first step in 'examine' is identifying. All of who you are. The good. The not so good. The definite bad. We all have these in our DNA and definitely in our character. I suspect that we lament as Paul did - do read all of these verses, but I'm going to highlight certain parts in light of our 'examining' Romans 7:15-25

   "15 For I do not understand my own actions [I am baffled and bewildered by them]. I do not practice what I want to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate [and yielding to my human nature, my worldliness—my sinful capacity].  ...

18 For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh [my human nature, my worldliness—my sinful capacity]. For the willingness [to do good] is present in me, but the doing of good is not. 19 For the good that I want to do, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. 20 But if I am doing the very thing I do not want to do, I am no longer the one doing it [that is, it is not me that acts], but the sin [nature] which lives in me. ...

22 For I joyfully delight in the law of God in my inner self [with my new nature], 23 but I see a different law and rule of action in the members of my body [in its appetites and desires], waging war against the law of my mind and subduing me and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is within my members. 

24 Wretched and miserable man that I am! Who will [rescue me and] set me free from this body of death [this corrupt, mortal existence]? 25 Thanks be to God [for my deliverance] through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind serve the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh [my human nature, my worldliness, my sinful capacity—I serve] the law of sin."

This is what we all have to deal with. Part of our warfare is really internal - with ourselves. The point should be - we are NOT alone in this battle. Read again verses 24-25. Do you see that we are aided in this by the Lord? He wants to engage with us - not do it to us. Remember He has created us with Free Will, and that is no small thing, He will always allow us to make our decision. I would also suggest that this is so fundamental, so crucial to our relationship as well as to who we are becoming, that we can't treat this cavalierly. We don't just toss a prayer in the air: Please God help me (fill in the blank) and then go merrily on our way. 

Which leads to point 1: ALL facets of one's person need to be included. I would argue that we have bought into a mindset that tells us we learn more from our mistakes. While we DO learn from our mistakes, we also learn from our successes. How can we build on a strong foundation (success) is as valuable as learning what not to do. Let me ask you - how often do you assess, examine your successes? Do you use them as a basis for further success? Are we going to throw away those words, actions, mindsets, etc. that do work? And our logic????

Examining our who, what, why, when, how is crucial to our growth but it's all of us and as the old song goes... '... you gotta accent the positive, eliminate the negative...' Sometimes our greatest understandings come from analyzing our positives - it definitely makes easier our ability and understanding to analyze our negatives and improve and learn from them.

A force to be reckoned with

Do you realize that is a description of YOU? You know that you were wonderfully and fearfully made … that the God of the universe breathed the breath of life into you which means that He breathed some of Himself into you. Now the only question is - what are you doing with your earthly inheritance?

One extremely easy thing to do is to discover if those around you are in fact saved when they say they are. They could be operating under, what I consider, one of the greatest lies satan has every perpetrated. Church going does not necessarily mean someone is saved even though they may think so. 

   "Jesus answered, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot [ever] enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh [the physical is merely physical], and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be surprised that I have told you, ‘You must be born again [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified].’ The wind blows where it wishes and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it is coming from and where it is going; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” [John 3:1-8]

Jesus is who said this! Shouldn't we follow what He says rather than what man has proposed? Jesus went on to teach:

   "For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge and condemn the world [that is, to initiate the final judgment of the world], but that the world might be saved through Him. Whoever believes and has decided to trust in Him [as personal Savior and Lord] is not judged [for this one, there is no judgment, no rejection, no condemnation]; but the one who does not believe [and has decided to reject Him as personal Savior and Lord] is judged already [that one has been convicted and sentenced], " [v 16-18a]

This should be crystal clear with no misunderstandings. If, however, further proof is needed there is always the writings in Romans 3, 5, 6, 10

   "... since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God,
[3:23]
  " For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God [that is, His remarkable, overwhelming gift of grace to believers] is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" [6:23]

   "But God clearly shows and proves His own love for us, by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

[5:8]

   "... if you acknowledge and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord [recognizing His power, authority, and majesty as God], and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 

For with the heart a person believes [in Christ as Savior] resulting in his justification [that is, being made righteous—being freed of the guilt of sin and made acceptable to God]; and with the mouth he acknowledges and confesses [his faith openly], resulting in and confirming [his] salvation."

[10:9-10]

   " For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord [in prayer] will be saved.”

[10:13]

We can also add the words spoken by Peter on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended:

   " And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among people by which we must be saved [for God has provided the world no alternative for salvation].”

[Acts 4:12]

Now, in any of those words from the Lord say anything about Church going? Yes, in another part of scripture it does tell us not to forsake the gathering together (Hebrews 10:25), but that is the gift we get the pleasure of enjoying after salvation. 

Church going, fellowshipping is important for us all. It's where we learn, grow, get healed, understood, share our gifting and so much more. But it is what comes from salvation. Salvation is the beginning. And most certainly is a force to be reckoned with when applied. So how do you know if the person sitting next to you is saved? A very simple question. Turn to them and ask - would you share your testimony with me... testimonies always encourage me in my here on earth journey. If they won't then 10 times out of 10 they aren't saved and you have a chance to be a seed planter - share your testimony.

Not Right

Have you ever been in a season where you felt that if it were possible to do the wrong thing or say the wrong thing (especially to the wrong person) that you were in this time? That it seems no matter what you are engaged in - it all goes plop? Do you feel like you are running after yourself, apologizing for whatever you did that you shouldn't have? Yep! Been there too... and I seem to be back there - again. 

Now what? What is it you can do?

I might suggest that one of the first things to do is to review - was there something you should have done that you didn't or haven't yet? Or, conversely, something you did do that you shouldn't have but that you've done nothing to reconcile that? However, there are also those times that you really can't do or say anything, it is your changed behavior that needs to be in evidence (which always requires time). 

Saying 'sorry' when there's no change in behavior (stemming from a changed attitude) is only words. I also believe that if this is typical and recognized behavior is usually dismissed by others as well.

The point? There are times in our lives when you can feel like running away and hiding. Persevering is probably the only thing that can be done. But... what is persevering? According to one source

   "In a scriptural context, persevering means to steadfastly continue in faith and practice despite trials, temptations, and difficulties. It's about maintaining a course of action, holding firmly to a purpose, and not giving up in the face of adversity. It encompasses endurance in faith, obedience to God, and a commitment to remain devoted even when faced with hardship." [Google]

Look at: maintaining, holding firmly, not giving up, endurance, obedience, commitment. Perhaps it's a time of testing? This is a dig deep time. It's a time to 'strengthen the arms that hang down'. Persevering is crucial. And in doing this we should analyze what is going on. Are we in a time of teaching? Are we in a time of applying our learning? Are we being chastised (this is not necessarily punishment - our attitude about this makes the difference)?

Not right? Perhaps... but maybe it's so much more - an opportunity to stop and know the who, what, why, when, and how we are who we are in our world.

Earthly good?

There’s a charge that is often leveled against Christians: ‘They’re too heavenly minded to be of any earthly good.’ I believe that unless you are heavenly minded, you can’t be of any earthly good! Besides, the accusation sounds like patronizing claptrap. I suspect we need to know what the charge is referencing - what is heavenly minded and why is this of no earthly good. Have you ever accused someone of this… and did you know what you were saying? To quiet them?

We live in a fallen world, so how can one be 'earthly good'. Oxymoron? And why would this be a good goal in the first place? To be honest, I get incredibly tired of these dismissive, undefined worldly statements that far too many adhere to or feel embarrassed about. How do we sometimes buy into the lie and begin apologizing for who we are and Whose we are? If we're trying to impress the world then we're accenting the wrong sy-lla-ble. 

Ironically, the only way we can be of any 'earthly good' is if we are heavenly minded. First though, we need to know what this means from a non-Christian view. Google says:

   "Being "heavenly minded" in a scriptural sense means prioritizing spiritual and eternal things over worldly or material concerns. It involves focusing one's thoughts, affections, and actions on God, His kingdom, and His will, rather than being consumed by the things of this world. This perspective shapes a believer's identity, values, and priorities, motivating them to live a life that reflects their heavenly citizenship and anticipates Christ's return."

That's a bad? Look at how scripture responds:

   "And we, [believing] brothers and sisters, like Isaac, are children [not merely of physical descent, like Ishmael, but are children born] of promise [born miraculously]. ... But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman [Hagar] and her son [Ishmael], for never shall the son of the bondwoman be heir and share the inheritance with the son of the free woman.”

So then, believers, we [who are born again—reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose] are not children of a slave woman [the natural], but of the free woman [the supernatural]. It was for this freedom that Christ set us free [completely liberating us]; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery [which you once removed]." [Galatians 4:28-5:1]

As we stand in our 'heavenly mindset' we stand as examples of who we are and Who we service.

   "Therefore if you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, sharing in His resurrection from the dead], keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value]. For you died [to this world], and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God." [Colossians 3:1-3]

Sound like a plan? It is. And when we apply these mindsets we share with those around us the joy and peace that comes with ... being heavenly minded.

Examine

Interesting word that... how does it make you feel? Probably starting with a definition might help. I'm going to ignore, at least for the moment, the 'universal' definition or understanding about this word and look to scripture for a description, definition. Starting with Google first though - this is what 'they' say about the word.

   "In scripture, the word "examine" (often linked with "test" or "prove") is frequently used to encourage self-reflection and spiritual assessment. It's an invitation to introspectively evaluate one's faith, actions, and motivations in light of God's word and teachings." 

Purpose? 

"This examination is not meant to induce self-condemnation, but rather to foster growth, identify areas needing improvement, and ensure one's faith is genuine." 

Before commenting and getting into a discussion, let's also look at what the Word says: 

   " But a person must [prayerfully] examine himself [and his relationship to Christ], and only when he has done so should he eat of the bread and drink of the cup."  [1 Corinthians 11:28]  

Most people are familiar with this description as it is part of the commentary when the church observes Holy Communion.

   "Test and evaluate yourselves to see whether you are in the faith and living your lives as [committed] believers. Examine yourselves [not me]! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves [by an ongoing experience] that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test and are rejected as counterfeit?" 

[2 Corinthians 13:5]

I think the question with this verse is: do we? Have you defined, not just described, 'committed believers'? Back to the question of how have you defined 'examine'? Let me also suggest Psalm 51:10-19 and 26. 

When you get right down to it - examine is an 'ouchy' word. It can be very painful when you do an honest appraisal of yourself. When you do take the time and examine yourself: your motives, the continuity between your words and your actions, the good bits as well as the sinful bits. All need considering. I never said it was easy. And yet, it is one of the most freeing and directing activities we do. 

Well I've set the parameters (self), the context (examine) and now to the work of examining. This was the introduction - stay around for the next segment.