How Much?

When Jesus was asked regarding the great commandment, His response was. . .

"(37) And he said to him, 'You shall LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD with ALL YOUR HEART and with ALL YOUR SOUL and with ALL YOUR MIND. (38) This is the great and first commandment. (39) And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (40) On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.'" ( Matthew 22:37-40 ESV)

Heart, soul, and mind are indicative of the whole being. We would probably all readily declare that we truly love God. Our heart is drawn to Him and we are so thankful for the demonstration of His love by giving His Son on the cross for our sins. How could we not love Him? We might also affirm that this love wells up from deep within our soul. But if we love God with ALL OUR MIND, how concerned are we with what we are filling it? What are we choosing to read? What are we choosing to watch? What are we choosing to dwell on? Is it truly ALL OUR MIND or have we only reserved a small portion of it for God? Whose thinking are we allowing to influence us the most; God's our man's? Is what we focus on causing us to think less of God or more of Him? The answer to that will be reflected in the manner in which we live: where we go, what we do, kind of conversation in which we engage, what we invest our energy and money and time into the most, etc.

Paul warned. . .
"(5) For those who live according to the flesh SET THEIR MINDS on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit SET THEIR MINDS on the things of the Spirit. (6) For to set the mind ON THE FLESH IS DEATH, but to set the mind ON THE SPIRIT IS LIFE AND PEACE." ( Romans 8:5-6 ESV)

Now there is an indication we need to give some serious thought to what is going on in OUR MIND. There is a great contrast between the focuses Paul noted; that of the flesh leading to death while that of the Spirit leading to life and peace. THE MIND set on the flesh will ultimately lead toward separation from God. With OUR MIND given wholly to God we will be continually drawn toward Him and His Will. May we grow in truly loving God with ALL OUR MIND.

Have a great day KEEPING GOD IN MIND!
Carl

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