Being Heavenly Minded

 "...seek those things which are above..." (Col. 3:1).

First of all, there is no such animal--this is pure fiction and reveals more about the person accusing the so-called spiritual believer out of jealousy or rivalry--what is his motive for even saying this?  Secondly, by earthly I mean doing the world some good, like running for mayor or protesting for your rights in some way, not earning a living--bearing his burden.   We are to become as less involved in world affairs as possible and the married person simply is more involved in civilian problems.

D. L. Moody said that you can be so heavenly minded that you are no earthly good!  Let me qualify this assertion:  Religiosity and going through the motions of faith are not being heavenly minded (i.e., saying the Rosary or the Lord's prayer repeatedly).  God commands us to pray without ceasing--that means to always be in an attitude of prayer and be in tune or fellowship with Him, listening as well as talking.  An example in the Bible of someone who was heavenly minded and accused of being no earthly good was Mary by her sister Martha.  Jesus said that she had chosen the better part and it shall not be taken away from her.  She was willing to pay the price to sit at Jesus' feet and listen to the Master teacher even if it cost something.

We don't want to relegate spiritual interests behind the temporal or mundane--but keep priorities and make time (you may not find the time) for Jesus in your hectic schedule (if Satan cannot make you bad, he'll make you busy).  When we are heavenly minded we are also spiritually productive, for example, we can stand in the gap for others and notice when they are in need.  Walking in the flesh is really being earthly minded, and whenever we are in the Spirit, we are heavenly minded and able to produce the fruit of the Spirit.

All parts of the body need each other and no member can say the other is unnecessary or should be like them to be acceptable.  Christ is the standard and the head or leader of the body.  There is a place for practical as well as so-called spiritual believers.  We are not to contend or quarrel with our Maker but realize our full potential in Christ as His servants.  We are rewarded according to our works and the faithfulness of our service regardless of the gift.  Soli Deo Gloria!

Is It Worldly And Carnal?

I have been told not to admire "mere mortals" like The Beatles. Doesn't the Bible say that we are all mere mortals and not divine? I believe in rendering credit where credit is due, respect to whom it is due, honor to whom it is due, fear to whom it is due (Fear God, honor the emperor), accolades to whom due, et cetera. All music is a gift of God and James 1:17 says that "every good gift" is "from above."

This kind of logic (to avoid secular music) is erroneous. Why? Isn't most classical music composed by unbelievers also? Yet these same Christians are not on the bandwagon to abolish classical music. Whitney Houston was a Christian (just listen to her sing "Jesus Loves Me") and she sang R & B. Now, take The Beatles, for instance: Most of their music is innocent love songs and fun to sing along with--what is wrong with that?  Elvis won his only two Emmys with gospel music!

We must show some discernment but to judge a whole genre of music is out of line and too critical. Music is not evil per se, but sometimes lyrics can be a bad influence. Believers are at different stages of growth and we cannot be intolerant of one another's taste in music--there is no one-size-fits-all genre.   Soli Deo Gloria!