Lowliness of Mind

 The contrast to vanity of the mind is lowliness of mind

Acts 20:18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, 19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:

Phil 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Eph 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

1Pet 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

Col 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

This attitude of lowliness of mind brings one to: look to the things of others, Forbear and forgive one another, and essentially to love one another. This is the context in which this attitude of heart operates. It is an attitude which makes us receivers of the grace of God. Jesus said, if you do not forgive, neither will you be forgiven, this is a transactional fact, but the relationship of humility is what brings true forgiveness.

Vanity of the Mind

Eph 4:17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

This verse follows after a long declaration of the wonders of what God has done for those who will receive His salvation. He declares that through the blood of Jesus we have redemption (1:7) and that through hearing the word of God we trust in Him, believe and receive the Holy ghost (1:13). He follows with an exposition of who Christ has made us, how we were called out of the filth we lived in to be made alive with the very Son of God. He tells us that there is no boasting for it is the gift of God, given freely and resulting in our involvement as the workmanship of the building the He is building. (2:1-22).

In Chapter 3 Paul gives an important interlude as to his credentials as a witness

Which brings us back to chapter 4. Paul, calls us to follow after that for which we have been redeemed.

"(I) beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.:

The rest of chapter 4 hearkens back to the three previous chapters to show that what Jesus did for us has brought us to this place where we can walk pleasing to the one who first loved us.

Eph 4:17 is a declaration of how NOT to walk. As Gentiles the Ephesians had previously walked as most men do, in the vanity of their mind. This reminds us of the cry of the preacher in Ecclesiastes 1:14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

We can see a similar call from Peter, talking about the results of these who walk in this vanity.

2Pet 2:17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. 18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

We are talking about those who have heard and at least have professed their belief in the salvation which is in Jesus. This is why Paul warns us NOT to walk this way. The ways of the flesh are the ways of sin, and the end of them is death.

In Romans Paul also discusses vanity and the hardness (blindness) of the heart of those who turn away from God.

Rom 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Therefore, let us not be as these, turning back to the elements of this world and the ways of death, but let us put on the ways and the mind of Christ Jesus, a topic for another day...

Science and the Bible

Science is based on observation, hypothesis, testing and conclusions leading to more hypothesis. Everything science can observe is limited to the 5 senses and extensions of those senses. An example of this is a telescope, it takes a lens and improves our ability to see into places too far away for us to go. Another example would be a spectroscope, an instrument which allows us to bring non visible spectra into a realm we can see or detect with further instruments. We can improve our vision, our hearing, even our smell, taste and touch by using instruments refined over time using the methods of applied science of engineering.

The improvements which have been worked by these twins, scientific method and engineering have been astounding, the ability to improve the ease with which we carry out daily tasks has exploded exponentially over the last 300 years particularly. Because of this clearly manifest success, science has taken on an almost mystical power to demand worship at the altar of "scientific truth". An appeal to science is often used in an attempt to end many disagreements on everything from politics to religion, the claim "I follow the science" is heard many times on both sides of the same argument.

But has science done anything to solve the greatest problem of man? Has it discovered a way for man to be free from his sin? Science is just a tool, and it is limited to the realm of the senses and the noted extensions of those senses. There is a knowledge which far exceeds the wisdom of men, a knowledge not limited to a sensual realm. We see in Paul's letter to Timothy a warning not to let false knowledge oppose the faith:

1 Tim 6:20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: 21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.

The greek word translated in the KJV as "science" is actually translated as "knowledge" in every other instance. A good example is the following:

2 Cor 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

The tension is not knowledge versus lack of knowledge as much as it is which knowledge you possess. 

Paul instructs Timothy to avoid false knowledge, manifested by profane vanity, an earthly, sensual, devilish knowledge as James expresses it in Jas 3:15. This wisdom is manifested by bitter envying and strife, but the wisdom from above manifests the fruits of the Spirit of God. (James 3:13-18)

So, is the puffed up knowledge which opposes faith and true wisdom the same as the science of today?

The answer is, it can be, and often is the same. One of the hallmarks of false knowledge is the removal of the knowledge of God.

Rom 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

There is something far superior to knowledge, however derived, the love of God. There is something worth knowing which passes other knowledge, the love of Christ.

Eph 3:19 And to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

1Cor 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

Charity here is Agape, the love which God sets above all others, the love which He expresses through Jesus Christ and has given to us so that we might live in that same love.

So we see that in a manner of speaking, knowledge can be good or evil, depending on whether or not one retains God in their knowledge and whether or not the love of God is manifest in the life of the one possessing that knowledge. The sad thing about "science" today is that so many actively exclude God and his word from any of their thinking. The ways of God, particularly His holiness, they want to exclude. His statutes and judgements must be put away and He must be written out of history. This has certainly not been the way of every scientist, as many examples of men and women who studied the observable world, yet retained the awe of God's creation, are found throughout the history of scientific inquiry. But today in the scientific community these seem fewer and fewer.

In Isaiah we see the declaration that God's ways are far superior to the ways of men.

Isa 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways,

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

So let's leave with this final thought. God's ways are higher, and his realm functions in that which is unobservable by the senses of man, no matter how much we extend them. True science understands its limitations, and is not arrogant nor puffed up, it does not declare its findings to be absolute truth. Many a great theory has been dashed by new levels of observation, and many facts "known for certain" have ended up contradicted by a new wave of inquiry, but the ways and the love of God last forever and will never change. So set aside arrogance, do not be afraid of the tool, but treat it as that, a tool wielded by men, and best wielded by men who know the love of God and who retain the knowledge of a God who is far greater than any "observable fact".

No other name

Acts 4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, 9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; 10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

1Jn 4:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

The whole world needs to hear that it is only by the name of Jesus men can be saved. Good works will not save you, levels of education nor work ethic will earn God's favor, great philosophical understanding will not deliver you from wrath. Only by accepting the love of God expressed by and through his son Jesus can can salvation come. Jesus told Nicodemus, you must be born again, you must be born of water and of the spirit to enter the kingdom of God.

God is still God

Dan 2:20 Daniel answered and said,

Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever:

for wisdom and might are his:

21 And he changeth the times and the seasons:

he removeth kings, and setteth up kings:

he giveth wisdom unto the wise,

and knowledge to them that know understanding:

22 He revealeth the deep and secret things:

he knoweth what is in the darkness,

and the light dwelleth with him.

23 I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers,

who hast given me wisdom and might,

and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee:

for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.

Matt 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Contrary to what many seem to believe, God, Jehoah, Yahweh, The Father of our Lord Jesus, still reigns in heaven and earth, and all His authority has been given to Jesus.

Rev 1:8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

While Satan may be called the prince and power of the air, it is God who reigns over all, and even though there is a space of time given, the defeat of every power of darkness is fulfilled in Jesus.

Fear not, God is still God and He reigns in the kingdom of men