There are a number of biblical passages that speak about how to cultivate spiritual growth in our own lives and in the lives of those around us. To cover the full gamut would take a sermon series and many notable authors have written books on the subject. Some might even suspect I'm related to one of those authors. Let me set the story straight right now for the both of us, Dallas Willard and I are not related in any way. Though, when he visited Bethel and I asked him to sign my book, he did sign it, "To cousin Mike . . ." ;-) But I digress. The main passage I find myself drawn to this afternoon is Colossians 3: 1-17
Here is one of the many times we find Paul setting up a pattern for spiritual growth. Notice that there are three areas of our lives affected here: our hearts, our minds and our actions. First, Paul says: "Set your hearts on the things above," (3:1) then he says, "Set your minds on the things above,"(3:2) and finally, the next paragraph speaks of our actions (3: 5-10). The three seem to work together in this passage, as they do in a number of the other passages that speak of this kind of Christian growth. The process starts in the heart of each individual believer, then proceeds to the mind and is completed when shown forth in our actions.
Each part is needed. If our heart is not in it, than we are just going through the motions. At best, we are luke-warm Christians and at worst, we are white-washed sepulchers, modern-day pharisees of the worst kind. If our hearts are in it, but our minds don't follow suit, then it will be a short-lived obedience at best. And lastly, if our hearts and minds are in it, yet our actions have not yet fallen in line, than we need to start following through or else our testimony to the world will be at risk. Yes, God looks beyond the externals to see our heart, but the world stops right at the externals. We need to live in a manner that is pleasing to God and testimonial to the world. It is a tough balancing act, but then no one ever said the Christian life would be easy. Thankfully though, God does say, He will give us the strength needed to do whatever He calls us to (Philippians 4:3).
The problem is many of today's churches seem to choose one of these and favor it high above to other three. There are those who favor the heart and center greatly on God's mercy and grace. There are those who favor the mind and focus mainly on God's truth and righteousness. There are those who favor actions and emphasize God's law and holiness. Yet it sounds like Paul here is saying all three are important. Almost like, you can't have one without the other two. They all work together in the young Christian Spiritual life.
It all starts with the heart, then comes the mind and finally, in time, come the actions. Yet, we all want results. We all want the finished product now. We want to all be instantly sin-free Christians. Thankfully, God has a lot more patience with us than we do with ourselves. Well, I could go on, yet I feel I have probably said more than enough already. So let me close with one of Jesus, parables, that I believe also speaks to this theme:
"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Phariseee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men - robbers, evildoers, adulterers - or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'
"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'
"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
- Luke18:10-14 (NIV) -
