What Are You Actually Mindful Of?

What Are You Actually Mindful Of?

According to Jesus’ word, Peter was not mindful of the things of God but the things of men when he was together with Jesus on Mount Tabor. Mark 8:33. And this in spite of everything he had heard and seen when he was together with Jesus and in spite of the fact that Jesus had chosen him to be an incredible instrument in God’s hand. Just think about that!

This is also applies to many people in the church. Paul wrote to the church in Corinth: “Do you only look at things according to the outward appearance?” (2 Cor. 10:7)—how it appeared and what it sounded like and what the others thought about it and said about them. This is how hypocrites act. This still clung to them in spite of everything they had experienced and partaken of.

God is mindful of the inward things, and we are called to become like Him. Unfortunately, this can take a very long time! God is interested in what is really true in our innermost being, and it should also become our only interest as soon as possible!

“Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” The Spirit’s desire is life and peace in our innermost being! It is not to make a good impression, receive the honor of man, or desiring to be considered a “somebody,” but being pure, holy, and good in spirit and in truth!

“Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” Rom. 8:5-8. Being mindful of what is from God is simply having a sense for, a taste for, and being avidly interested in inward things, thoroughly saved and transformed inwardly regardless of how it appears, or how it is judged by the many who are always in the flesh, and who are avidly interested in making a good appearance and being highly regarded by carnal, human, soulish people!

What God is mindful of is that we are filled with all the virtues of Christ as quickly as possible and as much as possible, that we become meek and humble of heart and exceptionally peaceable and agreeable; that we come to love each other as Jesus loved us; that we are righteous ourselves in big and small things; that we suffer every injustice committed against us willingly and with joy, not making any demands or expecting anything at all from others; that we only serve and give unceasingly, etc., etc., etc!

Of course we all know what people are mindful of! One good suggestion: Take pen and paper, give it some thought and make a long list of these things that people are mindful of. Then put it in your Bible as a regular refresher so you can test yourself, come to an acknowledgment of the truth, and be truly liberated from this fateful, strong, and forceful sense for things that pertain to man!

“For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” Luke 16:15. Here we see clearly and perfectly, a powerful expression for what people are mindful of—what they like, what they look up to, what they desire; and at the same time how God reacts to their foolish sense. All of it is an abomination! God has not changed His taste! He has the same sense today that He had in Isaiah’s time! Isaiah 2:12-16! Isaiah 3:16-24!

He also had the same sense in Paul’s day. Rom. 12:2, 16. “For whoever exalts himself will be abased, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 14:11. This is an unalterable law of life for everyone alike throughout all ages! This means unquestionably that when a person is abased, he has definitely exalted himself inwardly; he was far too conceited. It is God Himself who guides everything for our best. Then that was for our best!

“For whoever desires to save his life will lose it . . . .” Matt. 16:25. This is a very significant expression for what people are mindful of! Saving their self-life, justifying it with all means at their disposal, excusing themselves, and explaining away what they should be judging themselves for and what they should be asking forgiveness for! People have a sense for modern things, for the spirit of the times!

It is definitely not modern to ask for forgiveness! Not at all!

What people have a sense for is to hide their sin! They are very afraid that anyone should find out about it, with the result that they would sink in foolish people’s estimation. They have absolutely no sense for the fact that they would thereby rise in God’s estimation! When a person asks to be prayed for because he is sick, the Word says, “Confess your sins to one another . . . that you may be healed.” Jas. 5:16. When you omit this, the promise of being healed falls away.

Very often there is little self-acknowledgment, but all the more criticism of others! How ironic! Then things are upside-down! This is how a person can become the cause of his own lack of redemption! People would rather have the honor of man than be thoroughly saved! What a foolish choice!

If you want to co-operate, then let me see your long list in the mail or next time we meet.

Your blissful brother in the Lord—