Resurrection 9 Resurrection and Context, Mind the Gap (cont.)

[HKHaugan]

In London, UK when you get on the Underground a voice comes on the loudspeaker, “Mind the gap, mind the gap.” It refers to the gap between the station platform and the floor of the train door. But it also offers us a further reminder to think about the gap between the world and God. It’s all about context (our personal worldview).
There is a huge gap between thinking in the context of eternity and thinking in the context of time. It’s a mind gap. The mind of Jesus thinks in forever concepts while people without God think in temporary concepts trying to survive their limited time in existence. When we contrast the mind of Jesus and the mind of the world we are looking at the difference between an eternal reality and a brief time-limited individual existence. The mind of Jesus transcends time. Heb.13:8 tells us He is the same yesterday, today and forever meaning ‘timeless.’ Without Him we are left to ponder with only time, the material world and our personal conclusions as our context. It is eternal life vs. temporary life. The difference between eternity and time presents a total contrast. Which side are we on?

Compare the enormity of the universe and its time span with our individual brief encounter in it. Then consider Jesus as the center of the beginning and end of all things as we know them. The first is materially oriented and the second is personally oriented. The first is self-centered and the second is God-centered. Further think of eternity as timeless personal existence before Creation that always has been, is and always will be. Actually we are living in eternity right now. The question is, “Where do we choose to be in eternity after our bodies die?” God is eternal and His is the kind of mind we are asked to comprehend and the mind we are capable of knowing by faith. If we can grasp that our minds were made in the image of His mind then every next moment is an adventure in mind expansion through faith.

The world without God is all about me, bottom line, that’s it. It’s either about Him and me or just about me. So what do we do with that? Without God we resort to academic knowledge, invention, discovery, social and emotional adaptation out of fear, then status, wealth and competition in order to fit into the world. It’s all about what I am able to absorb and control. Man limits himself by trying to figure himself out. The search for truth, being a person, knowledge, purpose and meaning is completely outside of man’s limitations. The search can only be satisfied by revelation from outside. Until man accepts his spiritual condition, sin and its limitations, he will continue to wander in a sea of self-induced frustration.

There are many thought systems and religions that tempt you into thinking you can delve into your own depths and find ‘peace of mind.’ Those same systems assume perfection is available within. What they really are, are systems of denial. Denial of that inner flaw called sin, denial that ultimate reality is relational, that we are separated from a personal Creator who loves us. They are denials that God Himself has come to us in Jesus Christ to restore that relationship. He defeated sin by suffering its sting of death, then rose from the dead to show us real life, real stability and exciting personal and interpersonal discovery that continues into eternity.

The world with God is all about relationship, spiritual growth, scientific curiosity, and relational values, with the spiritual mind of God opening the door every day. With Him in charge we have reduced the world to a time of beginning and end while the eternal mind offers unlimited and unending growth. The world is a training ground for eternity. The eternal mind of God has infinite and eternal expanse while the human mind is limited by time, biological life and death. Because we are all born without knowledge, wisdom and experience everything is new to us. We have to learn from the very beginning. If we can learn spiritual adaptation early on we have a head start on the world.

The philosopher Rene Descartes said, ‘I think therefore I am.” Reality is this: “I believe therefore I am.” What we believe with our minds is what moves into our hearts and determines our actions. What we will to believe starts in the mind. The heart and the spirit follow. Again what does Paul tell us? “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will (Rom.12:2).”

More, more, more…stay tuned………