Opened Minds (1)

And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Luke 24.45

More than enthusiasm
In the 19^th century, well-known preacher Charles Spurgeon attracted great crowds to the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London. People were enthusiastic about his powerful and eloquent preaching, and his renown as a herald of God’s truth spread far and wide.

Spurgeon was one of several preachers in his day who attracted many to their services of worship. But Spurgeon was skeptical. He put no stock in numbers. He understood just how easy it can be for people to be deceived into thinking they know the truth, when in fact, their minds have never been opened to the Word of God. A person in whom the mind of Christ is operating in a mature manner doesn’t just get excited about hearing the Word; the mature believer is moved to act in obedience on what he hears (cf. Phil. 3.7-15).

As Spurgeon explained to his students, “Thousands are congratulating themselves, and even blessing God that they are devout worshippers, when at the same time they are living in an unregenerate Christless state, having the form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.”

Spurgeon knew that mere enthusiasm for the things of Christ – worship, church, eternal life, the Bible, and all the rest – does not necessarily indicate a mind that is growing to maturity. Only Jesus Christ can open a person’s mind to the truth, and only when He does will that person hear the Scriptures and the saving message of the Kingdom of God, so that the mind of Christ is quickened in him, and growth toward maturity begins.

A new world
When Jesus opened the minds of His disciples to understand the teaching of Scripture, theirs became a new and vastly more interesting world. They were new people, with new priorities and power, and a new commitment to pursue eternal horizons stretching out in every direction in their lives.

For three years, the disciples followed Jesus, watching His works and listening to His words; but, in the end, they all abandoned Him. Even after the resurrection they didn’t understand the significance of what had happened, and seemed ready to return to the lives they’d known before following Jesus. We find them, in John 21, heading back to their old lives as fishermen, filled with wonder and confusion over the resurrection of Jesus, but clueless as to the real implications of that world-changing event for their lives.

Hindrances to obedience
What hinders people from hearing the Word of God so that they are moved not just to enthusiasm but to obedience? Why do so many remain closed-minded to the Gospel of the Kingdom? And why do so many who claim to be followers of Jesus manifest so little Kingdom evidence (cf. Heb. 11.1)?

There are at least three reasons. First, they are trapped in their experience. They have a lifetime of experience, developed into firm convictions, about the way the world is and how things are supposed to work. They may confess faith in Jesus, and be very active in their churches, but for the most part, their lives reflect the getting-and-spending lifestyles of their unsaved neighbors. They have become comfortable with this worldview, and are reluctant to rock any boats by following the commands of Christ and stepping out on uncertain waves of obedience. While their Christian materialist worldview may not answer all the questions that linger in their minds, still, it’s good enough. Such a worldview can be difficult to set aside. It represents a major obstacle to faith and maturity in the mind of Christ.

Second, for moral or personal reasons, some people refuse to hear the call of the Gospel and submit to Jesus Christ as Lord and King. Even those who profess faith in Jesus may hold back from full obedience because they are reluctant to let go of something they cling to rather than Him. After all, He might require them to change their behavior, and that they are not prepared to do. Besides, the Gospel demands repentance, which is a tacit admission of wrongdoing and a confession of deep spiritual need. In our secular, narcissistic, and relativistic age, such admissions are hardly the norm.

Finally, some people – perhaps most – remain closed to the Gospel or to growing toward maturity in Christ for the simple reason that they’ve never heard the Good News, not clearly and with passion and conviction, or not in anything deeper than a superficial level of belief. This is where we fit in, and why it is so important that we seek the Lord for maturity in the mind of Christ. For it pleases God to use those who know the truth to persuade others to set aside, if only for a moment, their settled way of thinking about life, and to consider the claims and promises of our Lord Jesus Christ. As Jesus came into the world to make known the Good News of the Kingdom of God, so He has sent us, in His Name and by His authority and power, to do the same today.

All who ignore or resist the Word of God are deceived and living in the darkness of unbelief – even many who profess faith in Jesus Christ, as Spurgeon insisted. But when Jesus Christ determines to open the mind of a person, nothing can keep that person from seeing the light of truth, so that his heart burns within him, and he wants to know more of this life-changing Good News, and share it eagerly with others. All who have the mind of Christ, and who are pressing on toward maturity in that mind, are called to proclaim to our unbelieving age – and our complacent fellow believers – the reality of Christ’s resurrection and the truth of His Kingdom. Only Christ can open closed minds, but we must be faithful to confront them with His truth.

For reflection
1.  Do you think it’s possible for someone to profess faith in Jesus and not know Him? Explain.

2.  Why are many believers so easily contented with their progress in faith? What keeps people from seeking to grow to maturity in the mind of Christ?

3.  Can being enthusiastic about Jesus, church, Bible study, and so forth obscure the fact that we’re not growing in the mind of Christ? Explain.

Next steps – Conversation: How are you making progress toward mature thinking as a Christian? That is, how is the mind of Christ in you being brought to higher levels of maturity at this time? In what ways would you like to know greater maturity in the mind of Christ? Talk about these questions with some Christian friends.

This is part 3 of a multi-part series on the Christian mind. To download this week’s study as a free PDF, click here.

How’s your Christian worldview? Are you stretching your mind to think about life and the world as Jesus does? Our free online course, One in Twelve: Introduction to Christian Worldview, can provide the categories, terms, and framework for you to begin nurturing a more expansive Christian mind. For more information and to register, click here.

The mind of Christ is set for the Kingdom of God. Is yours? Our book, The Kingdom Turn, provides a concise and practical overview of what it means to live for Christ from within the framework of His Kingdom. Order your copy by clicking here.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.