THINK

When I was a kid, a long time ago, my brother-in-law Dan worked for IBM. Dan brought me a gift . . . a small, desk-top plaque with a simple message. Bold, black letters on a white face commanded me to “THINK.” I wish I had that valuable piece of memorabilia today!

At that time, IBM was on the cutting edge of modern technology . . . their manual typewriters were really hot! They were so much better than Smith Corona or Remington. Then came the IBM Selectric, a wonderful electric typewriter. You could actually change the type (aka: font) by changing a little attachment smaller than a golf ball! (Kid’s today would have a hard time understanding how revolutionary that was then!) Many of us had IBM desktop computers in the 80’s. “ThinkPad”, their first laptop, was introduced in 1992. Recently, I researched the history of IBM on www.IBM.com . . .

The roots of IBM actually reach into the 1880's. In 1911 the Computing-Tabulating-Recording Company was founded, and they became the International Business Machines Corporation in 1924. That’s when “Think” became their “mantra.” Thinking is the process that enabled IBM to ride the waves of technology. By thinking, IBM actually MADE waves! IBM has survived over 120 years of unbelievable changes in technology, culture, and lifestyle.

Thinking is fundamental to spiritual life and growth. Radical (rooted) Christianity is not possible without serious thinking! A church cannot be “radical” unless its leaders and its people THINK. I’ll tell you why . . .

Most Christians appreciate the necessity of repentance. “Repent” is often defined as “turn around” or “about face.” But Strong’s Concordance defines the word as “think differently” or “reconsider.” When you trace the roots of the word, you’ll find the Greek word for “mind” or “intellect.” I like Dallas Willard’s working paraphrase or “repent” . . . “re-evaluate your plan for living.” The point is, you cannot repent without thinking! When we seriously consider (think about) the the truths of God's Word, the Gospel, or claims of the Lord Jesus, our lives will change! I do not believe repentance is not a one-time proposition. Anytime you read the Bible thoughtfully, you will be challenged to think differently. So, repent . . . THINK!

Paul warned the Romans about being “conformed to the world.” (That’s a warning we need to heed today!) Instead, Paul encouraged the Romans and the rest of us to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind.” The word translated “mind” is the word beneath the meaning of “repent.” Only by renewing or renovating our minds are we able to test and approve the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God! “Renovation” reminds me of those television programs that take a house or a yard and make it new! Our prayer ought to be, “Lord, flip my mind . . . I need a make-over!” THINK!

We have been given a wonderful and amazing gift: The Bible! I believe it is the Word of God. It is “God-breathed and useful for teaching, reproving, correcting, and training in righteousness.” It is a “lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 1 says the man who meditates on God’s word will prosper. The Bible . . . we should read it, memorize it, meditate on it, study it, and share it . . . and that requires thinking. If you can read the Bible and not be changed by it, you aren’t thinking! A really radical Christian is one who is rooted in the Word of God . . . THINK!

THINK! Thinking will bring you back to the roots of spiritual reality and make you a radical Christian!