How Should We Think In Light Of Eternity?

It is often difficult for me to think of my actions in light of eternity.  After all, I am a creature confined to this earth in a specific time.  Harry Blamires writes in The Christian Mind that, “To think secularly is to think within a frame of reference bounded by the limits of our life on earth: it is to keep one’s calculations rooted in this-worldly criteria.  To think Christianly is to accept all things with the mind as related, directly or indirectly, to man’s eternal destiny as the redeemed and chosen by God.”

The secular influence of this age has led many churches to depart from the integrity of God’s Word.  In a culture where falsehood prevails, the preacher of God’s Word must combat the “this-worldly” mindset with uncompromised truth.  A Christian must be committed to seeking and finding the truth even when it is a truth he does not want to hear.  Knowing and doing the truth is basic to a consistent Christian life.  Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6, ESV)  To speak of Christ in this way is a declaration that “truth” exists.

Truth has been placed in the universe by God because truth is integral to the being of God Himself.  A mature Christian must have a well-ordered soul and mind that is capable of defending the truth of God.  You must develop a Christian mind (Romans 12:2) if you are to truly live the Christian life.  To this end, the Christian preacher or teacher must correctly interpret and defend the truth of the Scriptures.  He cannot be apprehensive of offending the false ideas adopted by the secular culture which many cling to in his congregation. (Romans 9:33, Matthew 11:6, and Matthew 15:12)

Therefore, the Christian preacher and teacher find themselves in essential roles as purveyors of truth.  They are a necessary means to cultivate in others a Christian mind.  Paul writes, “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” (Romans 10:14, ESV)

Speaking the absolute uncompromised truth of the Bible is, therefore, essential – not only to salvation – but to the development of a consistent Christian worldview which enables us to apply these principles to every area of our lives.  In closing, James Orr wrote in The Christian View of God and the World that, “If there is a religion in the world which exalts the office of teaching, it is safe to say that it is the religion of Jesus Christ. . . . A religion divorced from earnest and lofty thought has always, down the whole history of the Church, tended to become weak, jejune and unwholesome, while the intellect, deprived of its rights within religion, has sought its satisfaction without, and developed into a godless rationalism.” (pp. 20-21)