OPINION: HARRY MARTINEZ: The Squad of Eight Pt. 2

May 8—It is not unusual for food commercials to state "we are what we eat." Similar claims are made by other groups in promoting their particular products or programs.

The Scriptures address who we are in terms of what occurs in our thinking ... "for as he thinks in his heart [the mentality of the soul] so is he" (Prov 23:7 NKJV). Solomon gave these instructions ... "Oh my son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life" (Prov 4:20-23 NKJV).

Several passages in the New Testament speak of man's thought processes that result in subsequent actions. Jesus told the multitude ... "Hear and understand: Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man" (Matt 15:10-11 NKJV). The Apostle Paul, when writing to Christians in Phillippi, encouraged them to guard their thinking so that their actions would reflect of the life of Christ. "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things" (Phil 4:8 NKJV).

Last week's article presented four of the qualities or traits that should characterize the thinking of any individual who has placed their faith in Christ as their Savior. That thinking should demonstrate truth acquired through Biblical teaching, that which is honorable, thus worthy of respect and pleasing to God, that which is right motivated by love for God and spiritual love for others, and that which is pure, knowing that as Christians we are set apart to serve the Lord for His glory.

The Apostle Paul continues his discourse with four more traits that should govern the believer's thinking. The word lovely is that inward attitude that is displayed outwardly toward others. It reflects how Christ thought. Patience, kindness, and compassion are evident in dealing with others. The Apostle John said ... "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another" (1 John 4:7-11 NKJV).

An attitude that accurately reflects the love of God is saturated in grace. This is the good report, the good reputation that draws others to desire to know the God of all grace. It is a way of thinking that demonstrates excellence and virtue in the face of conflict. Such thinking meets with God's approval, and therefore is honoring to the One who is worthy of all praise, honor and glory.

These qualities are the result of God at work to accomplish His will in the Christian's life. Paul wrote ... "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law" (Gal 5:22-23 NKJV). Those traits, manifested in the life of Christ, are to be replicated in the mindset and life of every believer. This new way of thinking begins by believing ... "that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Cor 15:4 NKJV. Then follows a life time of fulfilling the mandate to ... "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18 NKJV).

Harry Martinez, a resident of Albany, is a retired minister who served a nondenominational congregation in Florida. His weekly column appears in several South Georgia newspapers.