Okay, so on Sunday, I used this verse to give us a starting point toward thinking like Jesus:
Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.
Proverbs 9:20 NLT
How do you reconcile that passage with this one, talking about God’s love:
Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.
1 John 4:18 NLT
Jesus, of course, seemed to have no fear. Several times, the crowd tried to kill him, but he just kept going. He repeatedly and aggressively spoke out against the religious elite, the ruling class of Israel in his day. He went up against Satan’s own demons time after time. He even withstood 40 days of satanic temptation with no food to eat in the wilderness.
Is that like us today? do you perceive us to be fearlessly on mission for God in this world?
How do you think Jesus could always do what he was supposed to do in the face of all kinds of dangers?
Sure, Jesus had all the attributes of God … All knowledge and all power at his disposal. Having that MUST have literally made Jesus think in entirely different patterns than us, right? Imagine the IRS is coming after you today for a delinquent bill of $500,000. Pay it or go to prison for years. Today.
How would you respond in that situation if you only had $5 in the bank? How would you deal with the situation?
How would you respond, on the other hand, if you had 5 billion dollars at your disposal? What would your attitude be? How would you deal with that situation?
I think a lot of times, when it comes to doubt, fear, evangelism, generosity, obedience… I think we tend to respond in $5 ways, rather than $5Billion ways. What do you think?
Yet, in sending us off on our mission to win the world back for him, Jesus makes this amazing statement:
“I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
-Jesus, Matthew 28:18-20 NLT
Did you catch that? Jesus says that he has been given “ALL authority,” and then he says “therefore.” How are “all authority” and “therefore” connected?
Who is he talking to?
So, everything he has, he gives to us. All authority. All of it. MUCH more than $5 billion dollars worth of authority. So why do we act as if we have $5 authority when it comes to sharing our faith, to overcoming temptation, to beating fear, to being generous?
I say it is because we aren’t thinking like Jesus.
Watch this:
Jesus is omniscient. He knows everything. Nothing is hidden from him. He can’t come upon an unexpected situation, step into a secret conversation, nothing surprises him.
If Jesus is omniscient, and he is the one commanding me.. How should that affect my thought process when it comes to having to step out in faith to share with a friend? To obey in His call on my life?
Jesus is omnipotent. He is all-powerful. He literally holds the universe together. Nothing is beyond him at all. He holds stars in his hands.
How should this attribute of God affect my thought process when it comes to trusting him in a difficult situation?
Why don’t you and your group take a few minutes and list out a few more attributes of God and discuss how those attributes should affect your everyday thought process?
(hint: here are a few of God’s attributes… Eternality, goodness, grace, holiness, immutability, justice, love, mercy, righteousness, sovereignty)
How can I dwell on the character and nature of God in such a way that He really begins to change my thinking?
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. (way of thinking)
Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT
Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Isaiah 41:10 NLT
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the LORD.
Psalm 37:4-7 NLT
Trust him, and he will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun. Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.