Pensive Mood

by R. Darke, Victoria, B C., Canada. | Category: General | Jun 1994

Pensive means thoughtful, meditative. Wordsworth uses the word in his ode to the daffodils:

"For oft when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood...

With, or without the couch, Christians need quiet, thoughtful times in today's complex, difficult, demanding world. Because He knew their need the Lord said to His disciples on one occasion: "Come away to some lonely spot and get a little rest ... they could get no time even to eat. So they went away privately ... to a lonely spot" (Mark 6:31,32 Moffatt trans.). This was the wise treatment of the great Physician, and His prescription is just as valid for today's disciples.

Some may welcome, too, the opportunity to clear the mind of the many extraneous, unhappy, burdensome things which are often the source of grief and stumbling in our Christian lives. This could leave room for the Scriptures to have free flow, enabling them to bring comfort, peace and blessing.

Valid advice also comes from wise Solomon who advises us to ponder, or weigh carefully, the path of our feet so that all our ways may be established (Prov. 4:26 RVM). These very words might have "come home to roost" with him late in life, for his heart was turned to waywardness (1 Kings 11:4,6). Perhaps he was past the pondering stage. If so, it was a sad and sorry reflection on a life that began with such great potential.

What a contrast was Paul who said:

"I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:14). That must be our aim, our choice, too. It is positive. No waywardness here. Paul also counselled Timothy to "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15 AV). This indicated a prompt, earnest, businesslike approach which would enable him to handle the Word aright, without embarrassment. How needful this is for Christians today because of confused teaching which prevails in differentiating between the Church (singular) which is Christ's Body, and the churches of God (plural), which together form the spiritual house of God. There is confusion, too, regarding the breaking of bread; as to when it should be held, how often, and by whom.

If Christians are prepared to be pensive, thoughtful, in reading their Bibles, the Holy Spirit is able to reveal to them the precious truths espoused by Peter, James, John, Paul, Barnabas, and other defenders of the faith once for all delivered to the saints (Jude v.3). It is freely acknowledged that all who are saved by grace have been baptized in the Spirit into the Body of Christ. But the free gift of salvation was only the first of seven precious truths recorded by Luke. Following Peter's preaching: (1) they that received his word, (2) were baptized; and (3) there were added unto them about three thousand souls, (4) and they continued stedfastly in the apostles' teaching, and (5) fellowship, (6) in the breaking of bread, and (7) the prayers (Acts 2:41,42). To change this

divine order, subtract from or add to it, would be unthinkable. This was a divine pattern given to be followed. It was the pattern of the first church of God of this dispensation, and what was given at Jerusalem is the same for all churches of God planted by the apostles and others in Judea, Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.

Perhaps there is a need then for Christians to be pensive today; to be thoughtful, meditative, in order to ascertain what the will of the Lord is for them. It was by those churches of God, who formed a spiritual house of God at the first, that the breaking of bread was kept each Lord's day, and the pattern has not changed. It is still observed today by those who are building a spiritual house for God in these remnant days. For pensive, meditative Christians today, God's plan and pattern for His spiritual dwelling-place are clearly portrayed in His Word. In tracing the pattern Acts 2:41,42, 1 Timothy 3:15,16, Hebrews 3:1-6, and 1 Peter 2:3-10, are among many helpful references.

R. Darke, Victoria, B C., Canada. | Jun 1994
General