What I take from it is this–I am a Christian and I do lean on God, but sometimes there is the “practical” side too. I’ve come to certain Christians regarding certain struggles and received practical hands-on advice as well as preaching God’s larger perspective on the issues. Others do absolutely nothing but preach the concept & scripture–often-times concepts which I’m already familiar with & even in agreement with. I leave feeling as if the whole thing was a waste of time.

In other words–if it’s summertime and you’re hot, what do most do, Chrisitians included? They turn the air conditioner on. They don’t quote scripture about how the world is full of pain because of “the fall”–even though that is true & does need to be said regularly. No they turn the A/C on and praise God for the provision that we have it to turn to.

A really good example of this concept involves, to me, Child Protective Services’ (CPS) overreach and how it interferes with parents just being able to parent their children without looking over their shoulder. I have friends who are saved, live for God but their family is broken up because of how CPS doesn’t respect the God-given authority of parents being the one in charge of the direction of how they parent their children. It goes WAY beyond preventing abuse.

What really upsets me is when other Christians get so focused on saying “our struggle is not with principalities of this world but the invisible forces of darkness” (approximate quote). They get so focused on that then it’s as-if you can’t call out CPS and the government itself for their wrong policies and, in response, seeking to change the government & its policies itself.

Yes we do need to realize the bigger picture and pray for our leaders, but that doesn’t preclude one from seeking to criticize officials who are wrong and to promote one official vs the other if one seems more apt to govern in a more Godly manner.

Of real note is that when Jesus was here He did preach the principles and admonished sin, but He also healed the sick. He didn’t look at the person asking for healing and say “well, God is testing your faith and you need to learn patience through the trial.” No He did the practical thing–He healed them, and yes He did so in response to them having faith in Him, also He directed them “go & sin no more”–as He should’ve. It wasn’t just about fixing their problem but also adressing the larger concepts. But still, He healed them, that’s as practical as it gets.

When that phrase regards the failure of well-meaning Christians to address the specific need on that level because they’re always speaking about the bigger concept but missing the basic need itself, then the phrase is absolutely correct.

I am focused on Jesus Christ, not my eternal reward.

How does God want me to use the gifts and talents for His Kingdom rather than burying them? This is the earthly focus…not focusing on earthly things to the exclusion of God, may it never be so with us.

I would much rather sit and study the word of God all day. I could easily do this and exclude interaction with others. I would enjoy this more than you can know. Yet, I am called to be in the world, just not of it. “Here am I, send me” in the world for earthly good. “Good” is impossible without God.

This is how I have understood this phrase over the years.

I would say that Christianity had more of an impact on this world when it had ‘heaven’ and ‘eternity’ in view. Just picture the early church which turned the world upside and inside out during the great persecutions. One common thread which ran among them was a similar stance which Stephen the Martyr had, who looked and gazed up to the heavens and beheld the glory of God.

I understand what you mean about getting a balance and all, but perhaps the half the problem is because the church is always trying to find a balance. Maybe we should stop being balanced and wobble and lean on God, haha

Christianity is most powerful when it is most focused on Christ. We are called to be a peculiar people in this world and only a glimpse of Christ can do that.

Get a big picture of Jesus! Everything changes thereafter.

thank you for your blog

I believe it is impossible to be of any earthly good until we become heavenly minded.

The words of the apostle Paul come to mind:

No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 2 Tim 2:4

Surely the apostle Paul would fit in that list above as being too heavenly minded and no earthly good, but he was arguably the most effective man used of God in the whole of history.

I think Paul tops it off with a scripture that I hope I can truly say and mean from the bottom of my heart:

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Phil 1: 21

Meaning that for him to live would be to do the work of God, but ultimately his eyes are firmly planted on his home with Him.

To the wind with “too heavenly minded and no earthly good”. I like that.

In His sweet name

Sunny

Truly we are in the last days. I hear it all the time now from leaders ‘oh stop being so zealous, or so religious’.

It’s probably because of the lukewarm dry and dead christianity that many leaders feel threatened by those who are spiritually minded. Stay on fire for God brother. When you burn you won’t need to advertise it, people will see it from afar.

In Christ Alone

Vic Gill