Calvary Road Baptist Church
“SALVATION: A MATTER OF THE HEART” Part 6
Romans 10.10
We know the Bible reveals that with the heart man believeth unto righteousness. Further, we know that truth is received from an outside source into the mind. The human mind is not the source of truth. No part of any human being is a source of truth. Therefore, truth must come to the individual from outside and take up residence in the mind. Then, with meditation and reflection the truth makes its way into the heart, the seat of the will. But what is the source of truth that benefits the sinner’s mind? The source is the Bible, the infallible Word of God.
We have previously touched lightly on the actions of the mind that were illustrated by two individuals in the Old Testament, Cain and Esau. We will now focus on observing the mind in action in the New Testament, by considering a particular Greek word:
The word is homothumidon, and it is found in the following verses: As we read each of these verses, please note that our word homothumidon is usually translated by the phrase “with one accord.” Notice, also, that the word is not only used to describe the thoughts of believers, but also the thoughts of unbelievers, in what I think is accurately described as groupthink, or a pack mentality. There are times when groupthink and a pack mentality is very good, and there are times when groupthink and a pack mentality is very bad.
Acts 1.14:
“These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.”
Acts 2.1:
“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.”
Acts 2.46:
“And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart.”
Acts 4.24:
“And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is.”
Acts 5.12:
“And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch.”
Acts 7.57-58:
57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord,
58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.
Acts 8.6:
“And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.”
Acts 12.20:
“And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king’s chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king’s country.”
Act 15.25:
“It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul.”
Acts 18.12:
“And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat.”
Acts 19.29:
“And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul’s companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.”
Romans 15.6:
“That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Some comments are in order at this point:
First, it must be understood that, whether a person wisely or unwisely chooses to cast his lot with others to be of one mind with them, to think in one accord with them, that individual does not thereby surrender responsibility to give an account for not only his thoughts but also for the actions that result from those thoughts. To be of one accord with spiritual Christians who are thinking and doing right is commendable. To be of one mind with those who have decided to think and then do wrong is not commendable. Although the sinful mind tends to believe culpability is shared and guilt and punishment can be spread out among those who are accessories to a crime, it simply is not true. God will hold you just as responsible for evil thoughts held in conjunction with others who are of the same mind as you as He will when you hold those evil thoughts all by yourself.
As well, notice that even when Christians are of one accord, we still tend to be in the minority of those holding that opinion. Those who were of one accord on the Day of Pentecost were only 120 individuals in a city that likely had 300,000 to 500,000 people present for that feast. I point out the obvious to those of you who take the time to consider the larger context. Christians, even when we are of one accord, will almost never occupy the majority opinion about anything. All we can ever hope for this side of eternity is unanimity of thought among those who matter, Christians who are well informed and committed to rendering good service to our King. Therefore, if you need to be in the mainstream, if you need to go with the flow, if you need to fit in with the majority in your thinking, Christianity and the cause of Christ are not for you because such will never be for us until King Jesus comes back to this world. Do you expect to go to heaven some day? Then give up this nonsense of being like everyone else and fitting in with the majority in their thinking. The majority is dead wrong, with the emphasis on dead.
Finally, understand that homothumidon that has gone wrong is just mob rule, and has resulted in such terrible miscarriages as riots, lynchings, the infamous Salem witch trials, and the martyrdom of Stephen. It is precisely the kind of mentality that resulted in the Apostle Paul’s persecution in Acts 18.12 and 19.29, which we just read. Therefore, though homothumidon is a wonderful thing for Christians who are spiritual and who are exercising good judgment, you are always responsible to God for your own thoughts and the deeds that arise from those thoughts.
There is nothing about Christianity that is well-served by thoughtlessness or confusion. God wants people to think, and to think straightly. It is by straight and logical thinking about the facts of the case and the real issues of life and eternity that makes for the best Christians. Therefore, it must be understood that, despite the fear people have of being tricked into making mistakes about spiritual things, Isaiah 1.18 and the rest of the Bible show clearly that when someone carefully considers the facts, and is humble enough to allow himself to be guided by a responsible and knowledgeable guide, such as the Ethiopian eunuch did with Philip in Acts chapter 8, he can arrive at the truth.
Some final thoughts about homothumidon before we conclude: When a football team demonstrates homothumidon they usually win. When a baseball team demonstrates homothumidon they usually win. The same goes for a basketball team, all other things such as talent and coaching being equal. When a squad of soldiers demonstrates homothumidon on the battlefield lives are saved. What happens when a congregation gives evidence of homothumidon?
Watch what happens after a Church worship service. Examine the conduct of the people who you would guess to be demonstrating homothumidon at some level. You will usually see homothumidon demonstrated by two groups of people, those who are of one accord with the pastor and his leadership and those who are of one accord against the pastor and his leadership.
Those of one accord with the pastor and his leadership typically throw in with spiritual leadership and work to support the pastor’s efforts to reach the lost, while those of one accord against spiritual leadership will almost always stand apart with others of like disposition and will not join in to mix and make welcome our visitors. It is really easy to see, and if there are other explanations for such behavior by regular Church-attenders I would love to hear them.
This is not rocket science. This is behavior that indicates what a person’s thoughts are, and how conduct shows if someone has thrown in with others or not. Obviously, as a pastor who is doing the work of an evangelist, I seek to persuade the lost to agree with me in their thinking as a prelude to their conversion. When a lost person becomes a real candidate for conversion, he usually begins at some level to demonstrate at some level in his thought life and behavior this thing called homothumidon.
We could continue developing this line of thinking, but you have enough to consider. What you should take home is a realization that man’s problems lie far less with his ability to think straightly than with the inclinations of his heart, as we shall see next time that we take up our study, Lord willing.
- To Be Continued Next Sunday -
Would you like to contact Dr. Waldrip about this sermon? Please contact him by clicking on the link below. Please do not change the subject within your email message. Thank you.
Pastor@CalvaryRoadBaptist.Church