What’s on Your Mind?

Dear Worshipers,

I’m not asking that in the usual sense. More accurately, I am asking “What one thing dominates your thinking?” Last week I challenged you to consider if you were single-minded. I asked these questions to clarify what I meant by single-minded.

Do you have a consuming passion? Is there one thing that is always on your mind? When you have a minute to daydream, what is the first thing that your mind trails off to? I think the best way to ask it is this, “What do you think about when you are not thinking about anything else?”

I commented near the end of last week’s “tunings” that I would share what should be on that mind. Here is the answer: GOD – GOD always, GOD only.

James 4:8 tells us, “Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” This is the context of a passage that challenges us to submit ourselves to God. He is to be preeminent in not only our thinking, but in our living.

Where am I going with this? Here. We need to allow our pursuit of God, our submission to God, our worship of God to invade every passion, and every dispassion. Every thought, every word, every deed. All things brought into submission to the purpose of submitting ourselves to God.

There are a number of things that James does not say. He does not say, “Come near to God occasionally”. Implying that this is something you should do once in a while. He also does not say “Come to God conveniently”. In other words, when it serves your purpose. He does not even say “Come to God rightly” which could cause us to imply a legalism of trying to please God through vain repetition or other posturing.. No, James does not say any of those things. He simply says “Come”.

Then he offers this instruction. “Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” I am reminded of the Psalmists’ question and answer from 24:3-4 . “Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.” The Psalmist was speaking of meeting God in the Temple. We are the temple. [1 Corinthians 6:19]

So, let us be careful to live in such a way as to stay before God. Not just come before Him and then leave, but stay. As cleansing is needed, ask God to do it. Did you do something [hands] or think something [heart] that dishonored God? In His presence be cleansed. Did you notice the progression, come and wash/purify? In His presence we are cleansed. Let us be faithful to come, and to be cleansed. Then we can live with God as our single focus through everything we face every day. May He bless you with a single-minded this day.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott