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CHAPTER FIVE
_________________________
The Christian’s
Mind-Set

Book

We often hear the statement, "Do not be so heavenly minded that you are of no earthly good." However, the truth lies in the fact that we can be of no earthly good unless we are so heavenly minded.

"Set your mind on things above and not on the things on the earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God" (Col. 3:2, 3).

The Living Bible paraphrase is,

"Let heaven fill your thoughts; don’t spend your time worrying about things down here. You should have as little desire for this world as a dead person does" (italics added).

How much desire does a dead person have for this world? "Set your mind on things above" says Paul, "and not on the things on the earth" Again, Paul is not giving us an option here, "For 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" (Rom. 8:4, 5) (emphasis added). In Rom. 8:4, to live according to the flesh is to "set our mind" on the things of the flesh, and in Rom. 8:13, those who live according to the flesh will die. It should seem obvious that when Paul refers to death in this passage he is speaking of eternal death or the second death of judgment, for it is appointed unto all men to die once, irrespective of how they walk.

"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to the flesh will of the flesh reap corruption [death], but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life" (Gal. 6:7, 8) (italics added).

This verse makes it clear that he who does not sow to the Spirit will not receive eternal life. What conclusion can we come to but that only those living according to the Spirit, having their mind set on the things of the Spirit, will have eternal life. The NICNT states:

In a way that we cannot finally synthesize in a neat logical arrangement, Paul insists that what God has done for us in Christ is the sole and final grounds for our eternal life at the same time as he insists on the indispensability of holy living as the precondition for attaining that life. Neither the ‘indicative’ - what God has done for us in Christ- nor the ‘imperative’ — what we are commanded to do- can be eliminated. Nor can they be severed from one another; they are inextricably connected. The point of that connection in this passage is the Spirit. The same Spirit that ‘set us free from the law of sin and death’ has taken up residence within us, producing in us that ‘mind-set’ which tends toward the doing of God’s will and resists the ways of the flesh...While the Christian is made responsible for this ‘mortification’ of sins, he or she accomplishes this only through the Spirit. Holiness of life, then, is achieved neither by our unaided effort — the error of ‘moralism’ or ‘legalism’ — nor by the Spirit apart from our participation — as some who insist that the key to holy living is ‘surrender’ or ‘let go and let God’ would have it — but by our constant living out the ‘life’ placed within us by the Spirit who has taken up residence within. We face here another finely nuanced balance that must not be tipped to far in one direction or the other. Human activity in the process of sanctification is never apart from, nor finally distinct from, the activity of God’s Spirit. Deidun put it like this: the Christian imperative ‘demands the Christian’s continuing ‘yes’ to an activity which does not originate in himself, but which is nevertheless already real and actual in the core of his being(1) (italics added).

What is your mindset says Paul, where is it anchored? Is it anchored in the unseen realities of heaven or does it remain anchored in the things of this world? Where is your hope? For the Christian it is at the right hand of the Father. It is the hope of the Kingdom of our Lord. Heb. 6:19 says of the hope that is set before us, "This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters behind the veil of the presence, where the forerunner has entered before us, even Jesus..." He is not speaking of a soul that continues to drift and stray from its course, for its anchor is sure and steadfast. It is an anchor secured by faith. "For he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways" (James 1:5-8). It cannot be said of a man that is "unstable in all his ways" that he is in the way of Christ. The word "doubt" in this passage is "diakrino." According to Vine’s, "This verb suggests not so much a weakness of faith, as lack of it."(2) 1 Kin. 18:21 says, "How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God follow Him; but if Baal follow him." David, the man after God’s own heart, says in Ps. 119:13, "I hate the double-minded, but I love Your law." The Lord does not tolerate double-mindedness, for "No one can serve two masters."

The Spirit tells us in Phil. 3:18 the end of those who set their mind on earthly things, it is eternal destruction.

"Many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, whose glory is in their shame, who set their mind on earthy things" (italics added).

"No word is supplied describing the character of their walk; but this is brought out by enemies of the cross of Christ, and in the details of ver. 19. The persons alluded to were probably those of Epicurean tendencies. This and Judaic formalism were the two prominent errors in the Philippian church" (Vincent’s).(3) "He seems to be speaking here, not of the Jews, but of nominal Christians, who used their liberty for a cloak of licentiousness."(4) Paul describes these men as enemies of Christ. Who are the enemies of Christ? Christ, in Luke 19:27, calls all those who reject His lordship, those who refuse to have the Word of God to reign over them, His enemies. Peter says in Acts 2:34, "The Lord said to my Lord, sit at My right hand, until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet." Matthew Henry in his commentary writes:

Christ’s sitting at the right hand of God, speaks as much terror to his enemies as happiness to his people. The effect of this victory shall be the utter ruin of his enemies. We have here the Redeemer saving his friends, and comforting them. He shall be humbled; he shall drink of the brook in the way. The wrath of God, running in the curse of the law, may be considered as the brook in the way of his undertaking. Christ drank of the waters of affliction in his way to the throne of glory. But he shall be exalted. What then are we? Has the gospel of Christ been to us the power of God unto salvation? Has his kingdom been set up in our hearts? Are we his willing subjects? Once we knew not our need of his salvation, and we were not willing that he should reign over us. Are we willing to give up every sin, to turn from a wicked, ensnaring world, and rely only on his merits and mercy, to have him for our Prophet, Priest, and King? and do we desire to be holy? To those who are thus changed, the Savior’s sacrifice, intercession, and blessing belong. (5)

Paul, in Phil. 3:18, is speaking of those false professors in the Church. He says in verse 17, "Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern." Follow my example says Paul, as well as those who walk as I walk, we are the pattern by which you know how a Christian must walk, for many walk, verse 18, in a contrary way. It is a false way. Let us understand how somber the matter is. Paul is weeping. Can we sense his sorrow in our own soul? Can we feel the anguish of his tears as they flow? Listen to the cries of his godly heart. He sees not a few, but many who are professing Christ, they come to church, they claim salvation, but they have their minds set on earthy things, walking in the flesh, walking contrary to His will. Why is the matter so solemn? Because it dishonors the glorious grace of our Lord. God’s name is continually blasphemed because of them. The eternal souls of men are at stake! They are enemies of the beloved cross!

"And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber" (2 Peter 2:2-3).

Calvin states of false professors:

Those having nothing of Christ but the name and sign, would yet be called Christians. How dare they boast of this sacred name? None have intercourse with Christ but those who have acquired the true knowledge of him from the Gospel. The Apostle denies that any man truly has learned Christ who has not learned to put off ‘the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and put on Christ, ’ (Eph. 4:22.) They are convicted, therefore, of falsely and unjustly pretending a knowledge of Christ, whatever be the volubility and eloquence with which they can talk of the Gospel. Doctrine is not an affair of the tongue, but of the life; is not apprehended by the intellect and memory merely, like other branches of learning; but is received only when it possesses the whole soul, and finds its seat and habitation in the inmost recesses of the heart. Let them, therefore, either cease to insult God, by boasting that they are what they are not, or let them show themselves not unworthy disciples of their divine Master. To doctrine in which our religion is contained we have given the first place, since by it our salvation commences; but it must be transfused into the breast, and pass into the conduct, and so transform us into itself, as not to prove unfruitful. (6)

The greatest enemy of the Cross, is not the man who rejects it outright, but rather the man who embraces it outwardly but has no root in himself. It is the thorny ground hearers who "go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity" (Luke 8:14). Again, we note here that he does not say the sinful pleasures of life but simply the pleasures of life. We find the same thought in 2 Tim. 3:4, "...lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God." Where is their mind set? It is on the cares, riches, and pleasures of this earthly life. They are enemies of the cross of Christ. They walk by sight and not by faith. They are "Adulterers and adulteresses!" or "Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to make himself a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God" (James 4:4, 5). Never in Scripture is the true Christian referred to as an enemy of God. The Christian has been reconciled to God, he is at peace with God, and he is a friend of God. Who were the greatest enemies of Christ while on this earth but those professing religion, those who claimed to know God but were utterly destitute of His grace. They were God’s representatives on earth, turning the love, justice, and mercy of God into that which is detestable. With the earthly minded it is likewise. However, these would claim the inside of the cup is clean while the outside of the cup remains filthy. Even as the Pharisees were relying on their relationship with their father Abraham for salvation, these are relying on their relationship with Christ claiming God as their father. Yet what does Jesus say to the Pharisees? "If you were Abraham’s children you would do the works of Abraham" (John 8:39). Likewise would He not say to these "If you were God’s children you would do the works of God?" Indeed, he does say it in Luke 6:46, "Why do you call Me Lord, Lord and not do the things that I say?" But no, these, even as the Pharisees, turn the grace of God into that which is profane and defiled. Out of their mouths flow praises to God, yet their hearts are estranged from Him (Matt. 15:8, 9). It is not the rivers of living water which flows from their hearts (John 7:38), but rather the stench of a stagnant pond.

We find a description of a common occurrence among those who profess to be God’s people in Ezek. 33:30-32,

"So they come to you as people do, they sit before you as My people, and they hear your words, but they do not do them; for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain. Indeed you are to them a lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words but they do not do them" (italics added).

They are not lacking in love, but it is a love of self, not of God and neighbor. "What is in it for me?" That is their cry. They love only those who love them. It is the love of sinners not saints (Luke 6:33). Cross them and you will find a ravenous wolf in sheep’s clothing. See how quickly they turn on you, to bite and devour you. They do not have the Spirit of grace. It is a religion of form with no power. They "turn the grace of God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ" (Jude 4).

There were those, even as there are today, who were teaching such a grace, so he warns us in Eph. 5:6, "LET NO ONE DECEIVE YOU with empty words, for because of these things (verse 4, 5) the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience." Paul tells us in 2 Tim. 3:13 that "evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, DECEIVING AND BEING DECEIVED." John gives us the warning in 1John 3:7, "Little children, let NO ONE DECEIVE YOU. He who practices righteousness is righteous just as he is righteous." James says, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, DECEIVING YOURSELVES" (James 1:20). And again, Paul says, "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? DO NOT BE DECEIVED" (1 Cor. 6:9) (emphasis added). These warnings can all be summed up in that which our Lord Himself says in Matt. 7:21, "Not everyone who says to Me Lord, Lord shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven." We notice that in each of these solemn warnings the deception is not that of a "works righteousness" salvation, but of a fruitless faith that is independent of works. A grace that does not produce a holy and godly character is a (dis)grace. It is a disgrace to God’s wisdom, His majesty, His honor, and His Glory. Therefore, "Awake to righteousness and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God" (1 Cor. 15:34). Spurgeon preaching on Phil. 3:18 stated:

Mark you, the end of a professing man who has been a hypocrite will be emphatically destruction... I had rather die a profligate than die a lying professor. I think I had rather die the veriest sweeping of the street than die a hypocrite. Oh, to have had a name to live, and yet to have proved insincere. The higher the soar the greater the fall. This man has soared high; how low must he tumble when he finds himself mistaken! He who thought to put to his mouth the nectared cup of heaven, finds when he quaffs the bowl, that is the very draught of hell. He who hoped to enter through the gates into the city finds the gates shut, and he himself bidden to depart as an unknown stranger. Oh! how thrilling is that sentence, "Depart from me, I never knew you!" I think I had rather hear it said to me, "Depart, accursed, among the rest of the wicked," than to be singled out, and to have it said, after exclaiming, ‘Lord, Lord’, ‘Depart from me; I know you not; though you ate and drank in my courts; though you came to my sanctuary, you are a stranger to me, and I am a stranger to you.’ Such a doom, more horrible than hell, more direful than fate, more desperate than despair, must be the inevitable lot of those ‘whose god is their belly,’ who have ‘gloried in their shame,’ and ‘minded earthly things.’(7)

Let us not be deceived. If we are clinging to a cross that allows for a life of earthly mindedness, we will find ourselves, in the last Day, clinging to a counterfeit cross.

Footnotes

1. The New International Commentary of the N.T., Douglas J. Moo (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1996), p.495

2. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, (Thomas Nelson)p.182

3. Vincent's Word Studies, Phil.3:18 (Marvin R. Vincent: Hendrickson)

4. The Pulpit Commentary, Phil.3:18 (Edited by Spence and Exell: Hendrickson)

5. Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry Commentary, Ps. 110 (New Bible Library, Ellis Enterprises)

6. John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, (Albany, N.Y.: Sage Digital Library, 1996) Book 3, p.774

7. Charles Spurgeon, “False Professors,”Sermon (No. 102) Delivered on Sabbath Evening, August 24, 1856 At Exeter Hall, Strand.

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