Renewing Your Mind
Not In The World
2 Corinthians 6:17
Leave those people, and be separate, says
the Lord. Touch nothing that is unclean, and I will accept you.
NCV
Ours is a unique generation. This is the first, the only, generation that channels and interprets events by the same medium, the television. Many see this as a mindless generation, a generation that has been Vannitized by the entertainment industry. News is not news but a show fighting for high ratings. Vanna White was a star by appearing on a television show in roll where she did little except point to squares on the game board. Yet, without speaking, she became a star. Why? Perhaps because she had no apparent personality. She could be whatever the viewer imagined.
How many more things are like this? How much of mankinds views and opinions are currently structured by the entertainment industry? How much of the world thinks in this fashion?
The Christian is called to do more than this. This Christian is called upon to use his or her mind to grow in grace and holiness in order to produce spiritual guidance, ministry and evangelism. This is not mindless thought, but a directive of God for our own benefit. God truly has given a mind. God has renewed our ability to use this mind by training it in grace and holiness. This is the concept behind the idea of a Christian world view.
The Christian must view everything in a pattern of love. We know this is probably unrealistic from a practical point of view, but this is still the pattern to strive for. The next time someone cuts you off on the highway, dont curse under your breath. Offer a prayer for the other drivers safety, as well as for the safety of others on the road. Smile at people rather than frowning. Try not to rush and, thus, spoil other peoples commute.
I am reminded of a story I read or heard several years ago. It involves a Chinese professor visiting an American professor. They Chinaman arrives by train and is met by the American. The Americans words of greeting were along the lines of: Quick, if we rush across the station we can catch the metro train before it leaves. Other wise we must wait a few minutes for the next ride.
The Chinamans response: And tell me, dear friend, what monumental thing shall we accomplish in the few minutes we save?
How many of us rush down the highway to save five minutes? What have we accomplished with the extra five minutes? How many people might we have irritated with our driving pattern? I know I should not condemn all of us for driving poorly. Many of us do not, but this is an example we can all relate to. It is simple to follow.