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 God
seeks thinking men; he has no use for a remote controlled robot.
Man, a living sacrifice to God, is presented as a “reasonable
service” — rational, offered by the reason (Rom.
12:1). This man is transformed by renewing his mind (Rom. 12:2)
— getting him to think right. He meditates on God’s
law (Psa. 1:2) and acts according to its precepts. He considers
God’s unspeakable gift — his son (2 Cor. 9:15) and praise
with thanksgiving is offered to God. He realizes the
worth of a soul and seeks to save men. Thus God succeeds, and
heaven rejoices over this “thinking man” in service to God.
A
brother in an assembly sings without comprehending the
words of praise. He bows — and dozes — while someone
expresses to God the mind of the congregation. He eats a pinch
of bread and drinks a sip of grape juice but never remembers
the sacrifice behind this memorial. He sleeps as a preacher “stirs.
. Pure minds” (2 Pet. 3:1). His performance is empty
— a useless ritual. God is not pleased; the man is not
profited. Thoughtlessness destroyed his worship.
Some
folk assume that thinking of
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something makes it both right and wise. Their
thoughts become their own supreme court. They settle all
questions with “Well, I think.. . .“ Remember, a man can
think and yet think wrong. Saul of Tarsus did. “I verily
thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to
the name of Jesus of Nazareth” (Act. 26:9).
Others
decide thinking is reaching different conclusions from everyone
else. Such is false. In fact, beware of a conclusion no one
holds. There is probably a good reason. Everyone believes the
world is round. I weigh the evidence and arrive at the same
conclusion — because the evidence demands it. Yet the
conclusion is mine.
There
is always risk in men thinking. At times weird ideas will be
advanced. A baby would not fall if he never tried to walk; he
would also never’ walk. Thinking has its childhood stage (1
Cor. 13:11). With patience and constructive help brethren should
out grow the “nutty idea” stage to reason logically and
reach mature conclusions. Joe Fitch
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