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And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled…” (Colossians 1:21)
We tend to think we are rational beings; acting according to our thoughts, ideals, and goals. Instead, I have come to believe that, except in rare instances, we think according to what we do.
What we think is, actually, changed by what we do.
I have had friends, and pastors (not always the same thing), who were philosophically opposed certain activities and actions until they started doing them, and then those activities were OK and to be viewed in a new light.
This can work negatively and positively:
Negatively, if we start doing what we know is wrong we will eventually come to see it as not so bad, and then to be fully embraced. It is like a wedge which opens a small gap at first and, once started, continues until it is fully implanted in ways we never thought we would allow.
Also negatively, if someone wrongs another, the perpetrator will, eventually, start thinking of the other as deserving those actions. The blame balances out the initial guilt felt by the perpetrator and serves to justify their actions.
The good news of the Gospel is that those who are alienated from God (and others) in their minds (thoughts) by wicked works (deeds), can receive forgiveness, through being joined to Christ Jesus, and have their minds renewed, their works forgiven, and their relationships restored.
We can, then, put this same principle to work positively:
- To feel love toward someone difficult to love, do loving deeds to them – it will affect your thoughts and actually make them easier to love;
- To feel closer to God in a “dry” season, do Christ-like things – it will affect your mind and your thoughts will improve.
-fal
