Prepare Your Mind

Some Christians attend the Olympics to witness to people from around the world. They find out the time of certain events and which nations will be competing. They get tracts in the language of the spectators who will be present. World Missionary Press (www.wmpress.org) has booklets in over 340 languages. Peter instructed to be "ready to make a defense" (1Pe 3:15), but handing someone a tract is being on the offense, though taking it is implied communication. Jesus did warn that they will "'persecute you'" (Lk 21:12) and said "'it will lead to an opportunity for your testimony'" (:13). He instructed "'make up your minds not to prepare beforehand to defend yourselves'" (:14). Making a defense, then, pertains more to the meaning of apologetics which is proving the validity of Christianity.

A world view is how you understand things are, and with attendees to the Olympics being from around the world, you would expect many different perspectives. The following describes the situation. Many people have strong esoteric convictions even though they may represent only a select few. However, what they believe to be true may only be relative to their culture. Also, there are hundreds of religions in the world and each adherent believes he is right. How is it that the mind chooses a particular belief? Universalism says that each religion has its own truth. So if the mind is that flexible then a person can make an ephemeral choice in a transitory way on an existential basis. But Peter warned to "prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ" (1Pe 1:13). Therefore, "be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Ro 12:2). Be a "workman . . . handling accurately the word of truth: (2Ti 2:15). Do you know where you stand? "Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith" (2Co 13:5). Are you in touch? "You are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls" (1Pe 1:9). You "grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord" (2:2-3). Someone's explanation of another religion may sound intriguing, but "Beware, lest your hearts be deceived and you turn away and serve other gods and worship them" (Dt 11:16).