Thinking from Eternity

Hebrews 11:1 defines what faith is - Faith is the substantiation of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 信就是所望之事的質實，是未見之事的確證。

This verse is telling us to think from God's perspective, or to think from eternity, or to think from New Jerusalem. Not only do we think from God's point of view, we live it out today. We think --> We are --> We do.

My career is nothing from God's perspective, though I need it today for my existence. This thought will set me free from many anxieties and bondage.

My accumulation of earthly wealth (bank account, house, etc.) is nothing if I think from eternity. This thought will teach me how to handle my finance today according to God's purpose.

I am nothing. Hence, I will endeavor to gain Christ, to enjoy the riches of Christ and to be constituted with God's life and nature today. What a bargain! This thought will make me a heavenly marathon runner. I need to grow up into Him in all things.

Paul had the same perspective in Philippians 3:7-But what things were gains to me, these I have counted as loss on account of Christ. 從前我以為對我是贏得的，這些，我因基督都已經看作虧損。

Since I will be made the same as God eventually - as meek as God, as kind as God, as patient as God, as righteous as God, as loving as God, as kingly as God - I would walk today as if I have already arrived at the destination - New Jerusalem.

Since I will be made part of the Body of Christ ultimately, I would walk today accordingly.

For to me, to live is Christ. (Philippians 1:21) 因為在我，活著就是基督

Be renewed!

Here is a good one by Einstein: "The significant problems we face cannot be solved at the same level of thinking which created them".

In other words, the current problems are created by the current thinking. Unless our thinking is renewed the same problems will remain.

... but be transformed by the renewing of the mind ... (Romans 12:2)

And that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind. (Ephesians 4:23)

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, (Philippians 2:5)

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:9)

Stars

Christ is the morning star, shining in the age of darkness. Christians are stars because we are children of light and God is expressed through us (John 12:36, Philippians 2:15, Revelation 1:16). Therefore, we should give heed to God's word until the day dawns and the morning star rises in our hearts (2 Peter 1:19).

However, it is very likely that Christians may become "wandering stars" (Jude 13). Christians who follow the footsteps of Cain, Balaam, and Korah are wandering stars (Jude 11). Seemingly, they have the appearance of a star, but actually

They wander (vs. focusing on God's purpose - Christ and the church);.
They deviate from the truth (vs. fixing on the heavenly revelation);
They follow their own ways (vs. taking God's narrow way);
They drift (vs. staying on God's economy).

In medical terms, a wandering star is like a free radical, which is an atom that has at least one unpaired electron and is therefore unstable and highly reactive. Free radicals can damage cells and accelerate the progression of various diseases.

Don't be a free radical who damage the Body of Christ;
Be a living star who build up the Body of Christ for expressing God corporately.

Character --> Destiny

Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become your character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.

Keep your heart with all vigilance, For from it are the issues of life.

你要切切保守你心，因為生命的果效發之於心。(Proverbs 4:23)

For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the spirit is life and peace. 因為心思置於肉體，就是死；心思置於靈，乃是生命平安。(Romans 8:6)

Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, …

你們的言語總要帶著恩典，好像用鹽調和,... (Colossians 4:6)

For it is God who operates in you both the willing and the working for His good pleasure. 因為乃是神為著祂的美意，在你們裡面運行，使你們立志並行事。(Philippians 2:13)

... But the people who know their God will show strength and take action.

…惟獨認識神的子民，必剛強行事。(Daniel 11:32b)

Discuss in Resurrection

As we are discussing matters at home, it is very easy to do it in the old man. The usual outcome is either debating in anger or enduring in silence. Is there a 3rd way? Yes, read the following:

... much discussion (Acts 15:7)... If we truly know the flesh and cooperate with the indwelling Christ to crucify our flesh, we will be able to discuss not in a natural way but in the new creation. Remaining silent during the time of fellowship may be an indication of spirituality, but it is a weak indication... A stronger indication of spirituality is to discuss in the spirit. (taken from page 129, Chapter 16 of "Basic Principle concerning the Eldership")

Remaining silent is better than fighting. Discussing in resurrection is what we need.

Foot-washing

... He loved them to the uttermost (John 13:1)

Which act of the Lord expresses His uttermost love for us? It is not His quenching our thirst, nor is it His healing our sicknesses. It is His washing our feet and our washing one another’s.

Foot-washing is the end point of God’s love because it has everything to do with God’s purpose – building up of the Body of Christ. Through proper foot-washing, the disciples are brought into a state of pleasant fellowship in brotherly love. Without genuine fellowship (flow of life), the building progress will come to a halt.

Without John 13, John 14-17 would be impossible. Foot-washing issues in God’s dwelling, abiding in the vine, and oneness in the Body. Life is for building through mutual fellowship.

We may be physically together, but the pleasantness and sweetness may not be there. Life definitely is there, but the flow of life may not. What should we do? We should restore the flow of life through foot-washing. But how?

Rose from supper and laid aside His outer garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself; (John 13:4)

To wash brothers’ feet we have to lay aside our garments (virtues, standards, concepts, demands, etc.). We need to empty ourselves and lower ourselves. People are NOT pushed into the flow of life. People are cherished into the flow of life.

Therefore:

Don't push; cherish. Don't condemn; confess.

Don't provoke; provide. Don't suppress; supply.

Don't overwrite; overflow. Don't talk too much, listen much. (Isaiah 50:4,5)

Don't remove ice with force; tenderly melt it with warmth. (Colossians 3:12-15)

(an overflow from Message 10, Fall 2010, FTTA)

Silo Mindset

What is a silo? Silo is a stand-alone structure, typically cylindrical, for storing grain. A silo mindset is a stand-alone, self-focused mind -- "my" interest, people under "my" care, "my" group meeting, "my" locality, etc.

Abram, which means "exalted father", was a silo. He had to be brought down from his self-exalted status and multiplied. He was changed to Abraham - the father of many nations.

Sarai, which means "my princess", was also a silo. She had to be broken and multiplied. She was changed to Sarah - princess (with "my" been terminated by the Lord).

Please keep in mind that this name change did not come until Genesis 17. It took Abram 5 chapters (with many successess and failures, including losing God's presence for 13 years) to arrive at this stage.

"Unless the grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it abides alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit."
We too have to be brought down from our "throne" so that God's life may be multiplied through us. Let the mind of Christ be in us (Philippians 2:5). What is His mind? This is a mind that is Christ-focused and Body-centered.

Thank the Lord for saving us all the time from our narrow mind and granting us largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the seashore (1 Kings 4:29), so that we would
- know how to go out and come in among God's people (1 Kings 3:7), - dispense life by speaking words of grace and revelation, and
- take care of God's interest -- the building up of His dwelling place.

He must increase, but we must decrease. Amen.