How would God have us think?

Do you ever feel as if you don't quite fit in the world the way it is? Seriously, I'm not asking so I can point a finger at you and shout 'Crazy person!' We weren't created to live as we do, and as we strive to make sense of life and our place in it we can't be happy if we don't feel as if we fit in the way we should. A strange concept isn't it? To be happy if you don't fit in.


We strive so much to fit in, to be right with the world around us. We strive to live our lives in such a way things seem to be right with all we do. Unfortunately there are as many ways that seem right to us as there are people in existence. We don't often see eye to eye. Even within our immediate families there is a constant (albeit lessened) sense of not always seeing eye to eye.


Friction. We live our lives filled with friction with one another and the varying perceptions of things we all have. Finding two people who agree on a mostly consistent basis is a rare thing- they usually become friends, but as we ALL know even the best of friends have falling outs. You've heard the saying I'm all right you're all wrong haven't you? It's the way we feel on a constant basis, we are right-- my opinions, my feelings, my way of thinking is somehow more right than yours-- but it's not. We are all striving to fit in, each of our minds holding thoughts unique to us and those thoughts don't always mesh with another's thoughts.


How would God have us think, or not think?


Mat 10:34 THINK NOT that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.


Mat 24:44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye THINK NOT the Son of man cometh.


Joh 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye THINK ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.


Joh 16:2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will THINK that he doeth God service.


Act 17:29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought NOT TO THINK that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.


Rom 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, NOT TO THINK of himself more highly than he ought to THINK; but to THINK soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.


1Co 4:6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us NOT TO THINK of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.


1Co 8:2 And if any man THINK that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. 1Co 8:3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.


2Co 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to THINK any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God


Gal 6:3 For if a man THINK himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.


Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, THINK on these things.


1Pe 4:12 Beloved, THINK it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
1Pe 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.



*

There are some really interesting and very enlightening scriptures here. I want to point out a few that pertain more to what I was talking about than others--


Rom 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, NOT TO THINK of himself more highly than he ought to THINK; but to THINK soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.


We want to think more highly of ourselves than we should don't we? A lot of times we really do. We want to think we're *all that* and more. Our egos can sometimes grow so huge we constantly trip over them. We THINK more highly than we ought to and that gets us into trouble doesn't it? Seriously we have to note this don't we? When we begin to think we are something very special in and of ourselves outside of God's realm and God's control we are in grave danger. Grave danger meaning we are at risk of offending God by placing ourselves before Him. We have to take ourselves down a few notches and realize we are creations and by the grace of our Creator we have been given life and allowed the opportunity to surrender those lives to God.


1Co 8:2 And if any man THINK that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. 1Co 8:3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.


2Co 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to THINK any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God


Gal 6:3 For if a man THINK himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.


We love to spout out our knowledge don't we? The words- 'I know' are very common to our tongues. I know this and I know that and I most certainly know all about the other thing. Pay attention to your words if you can and just try to note how often you say those two words- 'I know.' Loving God is much more important than knowing anything else at all. Loving God is everything. It's better for us to be known as one who loves God rather than be known as the one who knows of anything else.


Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, THINK on these things.


We are told what to think on and it certainly isn't ourselves and our own knowledge. We are to think on the true things, the honest things, the just things, the pure things, the lovely things, the things of good report, of virtues and praise. How would our lives truly be if we did this? Think about it for a long moment. Our minds get so caught up in things that depress us and drag us down into ourselves. Our minds dwell on ourselves and our emotions at the moment. Our minds get wrapped up in the cares of this life so easily. We need to ask ourselves what we should be thinking, especially when we begin to think on things that are ungodly and things that take us away not towards the Lord. If for just tomorrow you woke up and told yourself that today by the grace of God you are going to think on things that are lovely and then tried to pull your thoughts towards the lovely things of God wouldn't it be great if it made a difference in your life, even a small difference because even a small difference when that difference is directed towards a life in God is a difference that matters whole a lot.


By the grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ may we find our thinking what He would have it be now and forever.


Amen.


Sabbath Blessings!