Treasures New and Old

God’s Pattern for His Disciples: Being of One Mind

We are taking a deeper look at the discipleship lifestyle than we did in 2020 by looking at what I call God’s pattern for His disciples.

For our article this month, we will look at the mindset that God desires in His disciples. So far in this series we have looked at what being a disciple of Christ means, guarding our hearts, and making our calling and election sure.

Being of One Mind

Perhaps one of the most important things a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ can do is to so align his mind that it is in tune with the Master. This is not always easy to do. The world, the flesh, and the devil are constantly trying to create distractions that cause you to deviate from the Master’s call and desires for us.

It is, therefore, very important for a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ who wants to be a disciple to keep his mind focused on those things that the Master has taught, as well as the ability to learn to really listen to the Spirit’s calls and promptings. In the last three articles, we’ve discussed things that include treasures, and single-mindedness versus double-mindedness, but those concepts were divided into different articles. In this article, I hope to put some of those concepts together.

Philippians 2:1-11 (bold added):

If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowiness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Romans 12:1-2: (bold added): “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

The goal of disciples in the Old Testament was to emulate, as best as they could, the master that they followed. Often times that included eating what the master ate, even walking the way the master walked, sleeping where the master slept, and doing those things that the master did. In this way, the disciples would become very much like and start to think like the rabbi they followed. I will note that in those Old Testament times disciples were chosen by the rabbi, not the other way around.

In like manner, Jesus Christ has chosen each one of us to be one of His disciples. And also, in like manner, like the disciples of old, we ought to strive to be like our Master in every way possible. As I look at this section of Scripture in Philippians, I see two things that are important for our mindset. One is to be like-minded with one another, that is, having the same love, being in one accord, and being of one mind. But such a mindset needs qualification. For instance, we are not all to be of one mind of say a guy named Jack. So, in Philippians 2:5, we see that Paul reminds us that the mindset we ought to have is that of the Lord Jesus Christ.

In Romans, Chapter 12, Paul addresses the subject from a slightly different angle. He is beseeching us (that is begging, encouraging, requesting) us to consider making a daily living sacrifice of ourselves, our talents, and our minds to the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul recognizes that the mindset that we ought to have, that which was in Christ Jesus, doesn’t come automatically. Which is why in Romans he points out that God is going to do the transforming. However, we have to be willing to be transformed. The goal is to have an acceptable mindset pleasing to God which Paul points out is simply our reasonable service. As our mind aligns with God’s, we will be in a better position to understand His will. Knowing the will of God is a lot like the disciples of old who, after studying their master for a while, understood his mindset and his will for them.

That is why having one mind, aligned with God and His will, is absolutely necessary if we are going to be disciples of the Master that we claim to follow. That’s why having one mind with the Lord Jesus Christ is part of God’s pattern for His disciples.

As we’re investigating this one-mindset concept, we ask ourselves several questions. Are we faithful? That is, are we good stewards of what God has given us to do? Are we faithful in studying and following our Rabbi? Another question we could ask is: are we focused? Those disciples of old paid very close attention to their master, their rabbi, even to the point where they learned to walk like him, talk like him, eat like him, and even sleep like him. Are we focused enough to be able to emulate the Lord Jesus Christ in our lives that closely?

And the third and final question we might ask is are we firm in our beliefs, and our stand, and our commitment to follow the Master, to learn of Him, and to be one of His disciples? In this article, we will continue to investigate those three questions and, perhaps, find a little more help in how we can be better disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ in this present and evil world.

Are You Faithful?

The Bible loves to give many names and characteristics to believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. For example, we are called stewards, we are called children, we’re compared to a body as varied members with Jesus as our head. We are part of a bride, and Jesus is our groom. We are called kings and priests. We are compared to clay on the artisan’s wheel. We are compared to vessels in a great house. We are likened as living stones integrated into a building, the church, daubed with the mortar of love. And, of course, we are disciples.

In this verse in 1 Corinthians, we are called stewards. As stewards, we are to be faithful. One of the things that we are to be faithful in is what God calls “the mysteries of God”. What are those mysteries? They are none other than the gospel, the hidden truths in the Old Testament that have been revealed in the New Testament. But if we are stewards, then we must know the inventory of those mysteries that we are stewards over. Joseph was a great steward in his father’s house, and Potiphar’s house, and, finally, in pharaoh’s administration. I note that in the story of Joseph in Genesis, he took great care in planning and preparing the grain in the storage units, placing security, and training men that he could trust to manage the grain distribution during the period of famine.

Like Joseph, we are to be good stewards of the mysteries of God by knowing what they are, studying our inventory (that is the truths that He has taught us, our talents, our spiritual gifts, our assignments within the body, and whatever else He has called us to do). Notice that Paul was telling the Corinthians that they were to “hold Paul” in account for his stewardship. We also need to be willing be held accountable for our stewardship of those things our Master has given us.

1 Corinthians 4:1-2: “Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

Steward: Wordsearch’s Strong’s G3623: oikonomos: “Governor, Steward, Stewardship; steward 8, chamberlain 1, governor 1, [Total Count: 10]: from <G3624> (oikos) [house or home] and the base of <G3551> (nomos) [law-authority]; a house-distributor (i.e. manager), or overseer, i.e. an employee in that capacity; by extension a fiscal agent (treasurer); figurative a preacher (of the Gospel) :-chamberlain, governor, steward.” Someone entrusted with a talent/gift and the oversight of that talent/gift.

Faithful: Worsearch’s Strong’s G4103: pistos: Faithful, Faithfully; faithful: 53 times, believe: 6 times; “from <G3982> (peitho); object trustworthy; . . . trustful :- believe, faithful, sure, true.”

Allow me to expand that verse based on the definitions: “Moreover it is required that a receiver and manager of a talent or gift be found trustworthy and faithful in the use and practice of that talent of gift.”

Are you a faithful steward as a disciple?

Are You Focused?

We are constantly being exposed to PSAs, especially related to the subject of safety while driving that include fastening your seat belt, being sober while driving (and possibly being the designated driver), and, of course, avoiding distracted driving. No cell phones, not watching any mini-TVs, not paying attention to the radio so much that you forget the road, staying focused on the road and not on the scenery as it goes by, not being distracted by the crazy kids in the back, and the list goes on.

That’s because it’s important to stay on the road at 70 miles an hour! You can kill yourself, your family, or others. Therefore, while driving, we really need to be focused.

I can also imagine focus is required in various industries. While working around dangerous equipment, it’s important to be sober, or not to have taken medication that could cause you to be a little foggy minded. A diamond cutter has to be so concentrated to insure he doesn’t hit the diamond wrong and shatter it into thousands of pieces. A surgeon has to have a steady mind and a serious focus on what he’s doing if he’s going to be cutting into your body (that’s certainly true for anybody touching my body with a scalpel!)

In spiritual things, our focus is also very important. It amazes me how often in the secular world we recognize the importance of focus, but in the spiritual world we hardly give it any attention. Yet Jesus Christ made it clear that we’re to be of one mind. That means a single-minded heart towards Him. Notice the 1 Chronicles verse that I have listed: “they were not of double heart”. When Zebulun went out to war and into battle, they did so with focus, seriousness, and single-hearted attention.

The opposite kind of mindset, that of a double-minded person, can be depicted in Psalm 12. They speak vanity (prideful, conceited, self-centered) speech. Notice that they flatter those around them with their lips, but they do so with a double heart. In other words, lying lips.

Looking back at 1 Chronicles 12:33, we see the strength of a single-minded heart. The sons of Zebulon won their battles and did mightily for the Lord. As disciples in the Lord Jesus Christ, we also need to have a single-minded heart, a single focus on Him. We are to be of one mind for the Lord Jesus Christ.

The strength of a single mind-heart:

1 Chronicles 12:33: “Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank: they were not of double heart.”

Psalm 12:2: “They speak vanity every one with his neighbor: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.”

The danger of being double-minded:

I would like to make a couple of observations about being double-minded. The dangers of being double-minded, that is, not having a single focus as a disciple includes instability, inconsistency, loss of treasure (in heaven as well as here on earth), and a weak grasp on the Master Himself.

In James, a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. Did you notice “all his ways”. That not only includes the things he does that are temporal, but also eternal. The work of his hands is unreliable. His prayer life will seem powerless. His ability to witness will be diluted. Of course, a solution to this is found in James 4:8, that of cleansing your hands, and purifying your heart, and becoming single-minded again towards God.

I also said you would lose treasure. Look at the portion of Scripture I listed in Matthew 6. We are all guilty at times of pulling phrases, a word, a sentence, or a couple of verses out of context. We don’t mean to do it, but we often do it while we’re trying to understand something or make a point. Here in Matthew, Chapter 6, I find it interesting that the discussion from Jesus Christ marries treasures, the light of the body, and two masters together. God is tying together those three concepts in such as way that we ought to take note.

When we have one master, and we follow him, the light that we receive is focused on him, and it greatly enlightens our whole being. But if the light of our eyes is divided, Jesus warns us that we’re actually in great darkness. Having two masters, therefore, weakens our treasures (or eliminates them all together), causes there to be darkness in our soul (so that we cannot see what the master is trying to teach us), and we will also have a weak grasp on the Master Himself. Not a good way to try to learn of and emulate our Rabbi, is it, disciple?

James 1:8: “A double minded [Wordsearch’s Strong’s G1374: dipsychos – double souled] man is unstable [Strong’s 182: akatastatos – restless, unstable, not steadfast, not consistent] in all his ways.”

James 4:8: “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded [dipsychos].”

The product of a single mind: faithful steward is focused on laying up treasure for the Master

Matthew 6:19-24:

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will our heart be also. The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Two ways to live:

To better understand Matthew 6:24, you have to understand Hebrew poetry structure. Even though we might not consider verse 24 to be poetry, it follows a typical structure where the author has positioned two separate phrases in an A, B, B, A pattern. So we have to shuffle a couple words around to see what the author meant. The clue is “two master”. Jesus is trying to get us to compare how we respond to those two masters.

If we are single-minded, we will hate the one and love the other. If we are double minded, we will hold to the one and despise the other. Holding to the one is less than love. Despising is far less than hate. The single-minded person totally rejects Satan and totally loves and accepts God. Unfortunately, the double-minded person tries to hang onto both masters. Such a one cannot have the benefits that he is meant to have and cannot behave like the single-minded disciple.

• Singlemindedness: Hate one (Satan and the world) and love the other (God and Jesus).
  
• Doublemindedness: Hold to one (God and Jesus) and despise the other (sin and the world).

Luke 16:13: “No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

• 1 Corinthians 1:26: “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:” Do not fear brothers and sisters, God delights in calling those who are not famous, super rich, politically on top of the heap, and possesses lots of man’s degrees. He calls the humble, the meek, those of us who are “foolish” enough to believe the simple gospel that Christ died for us on the cross.

• He does call some of these rich, noble, and mighty, but their own pride keeps them from responding. Unfortunately, it is often pride that keeps even the poor and needy from accepting Christ. We are so oriented to seek acceptance from the world and the people in the world that we fear their reprisal, and our fear of man is greater than our fear of God. Man can, at his worst, kill the body; but God judges the soul and spirit and has the final decision of where we will spend eternity. We need to accept that calling.

Disciple, are you focused on the Master with your whole heart? Or is your attention divided between the Master and the world?

Are You Firm?

Okay, disciple, you are trying to be faithful, and you are trying to keep a single focus on your Master. Now are you firm in your commitment to Him? The four following passages that I have selected emphasize the need to stand fast in the faith. I have underlined those particular words in those four selections. We cannot waiver in our walk with Christ as a disciple. Using the Old Testament disciple/rabbi relationship as an example, if I wavered the rabbi would quickly leave me behind and perhaps even choose other disciples to follow him who would be more dedicated. Fortunately, Christ doesn’t treat us that way, but wavering in our faith and in our discipleship will result in loss of benefits – reduction in our fellowship with Christ and our ability to hear the Holy Spirit as He speaks to our hearts. Wavering puts us in danger of failing, or as Peter puts it. When we don’t waver in 2 Peter 1:10, “you shall never fall”. Please study these verses and take to heart the call to be steadfast in our faith, never wavering, as we serve the Master as His disciples.

Philippians 2:1-13 (emphasis added):

If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Ephesians 6:14 (emphasis added): “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;”

Philippians 4:1 (emphasis added): “Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.”

2 Thessalonians 2:15 (emphasis added): “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.”

Let me close this article with this verse from 2 Corinthians. Paul is saying farewell but encouraging the Corinthian believers to be perfect (that is mature), and of good comfort. He wants them to live in peace and to enjoy the true love and peace that God provides. Lastly, of course, to be one mind with one another in Christ. That is after all what this article is about, being of one mind together in Christ.

2 Corinthians 13:11: “Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.”

Maranatha!

Bro. Joe

References

Strong, J. Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries. Meyers, R. (2005). e-Sword. [computer software] . Franklin, TN: Equipping Ministries Foundation. (Original work published 1539)

Strong, J. Strong’s Talking Greek_Hebrew Dictionary. Wordsearch. (2020). Wordsearch Bible. [computer software] . Nashville, TN: LifeWay Christian Resources. (Original work published 1890).

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