Let Us Therefore be thus Minded

Driving home: I call this a tactful word of consolation, because it is those who desire with all their hearts to pursue the one thing who are most liable to a crippling kind of introspection as they press toward the goal.

Martin compares an earnest Christian's introspection about imperfections to a runner constantly checking their stride. God, like a coach, will reveal necessary adjustments without the runner needing to be paralyzed by self-scrutiny.

minded, and, if in anything you are otherwise minded, you are also content with the one thing you want to do, you are content with the one thing you want to do. And, from that, Paul says, I will not alter my mind as much as I would like in my life. Paul tells the first one that he is not so distracted that he can restrain his mind and try to find his way. Paul says, I am not a frantic person. I am a frantic person. I am not a man who lends myself to reason, not thinking or thinking of things and not wanting to know anything but to seek the knowledge of God. And, Paul says, yes, I am a man who ...

30:29 - 31:34 Read in full sermon

The point: Trust God to show you anything that is contrary to the fulfillment of the very longing He placed in you, instead of constantly looking back and checking your stride.

A child asks their parents to promise to tell them anytime they do something wrong or forget something. This illustrates God's loving and wise way of revealing truth to His children, not overwhelming them but guiding them according to their maturity.

Well, they say, God did. Who has brought it to that present expression? They say, the Lord has. And I've said, well, can't you trust God to show you anything that is contrary to the fulfillment of the very longing he placed in you? So instead of all the time looking back, over your shoulder and wondering if you're running quite right, keep your eye on the goal and say, heavenly father, you said, if there's anything contrary to the one thing, you'll reveal it to me. And Lord, I've got nothing to hide. I've got nothing to be ashamed of. Lord, show me anything. And then get on with running and no...

34:22 - 35:17 Read in full sermon

The point: Beware of looking for some new secret that will bring you quickly and easily to the goal of spiritual maturity.

A weary runner is tempted by someone shouting from the stands about a 'secret' to make the rest of the race easier. This illustrates the temptation for earnest Christians to seek novel doctrines or easy paths instead of sticking to the established biblical principles that brought them to maturity.

You see, it's only the person who is dead in earnest about pressing after the goal that when he hears someone shout out of the stands, Hey, runner, have you found the first part of the race course difficult? And with your eye fixed on the goal, you say, yes, very difficult. Do you expect the last to be just as difficult? And you say even more so. He says, ah, weary runner, I have a secret. I have a secret for you. It will make the last half ten times easier in the first. And to a weary runner, that's very attractive. But Paul says, no. How did you get where you are? By the same rule. Keep on w...

43:22 - 44:10 Read in full sermon