“So Heavenly Minded and No Earthly Good?” (Part 2)
(Any underlining and/or bold print is added for emphasis).
You may have heard, “Some people are so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good.” This is a quote that has been attributed to Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.
But is it true? Not if a person is truly a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.
In our previous writing, “So Heavenly Minded and No Earthly Good? (Part 1)” we focused on being “heavenly minded.” Now, we will develop the thought of being “earthly good.”
Let’s consider some scriptures.
“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:9-10)
“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate (share); Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” (1 Timothy 6:17-19)
“Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.” (Psalm 37:3)
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:8-10)
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16). [Notice that there is a correlation between “light” and “good works.” Light speaks of knowledge of God; the more light we have, the more heavenly minded we are].
“But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.” (2 Thessalonians 3:13)
“But to do good and to communicate (i.e., share) forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.” (Hebrews 13:16)
“Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.” (Psalm 34:14)
“This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.” (Titus 3:8)
“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:27-28)
“See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.” (1 Thessalonians 5:15)
“I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live;” (Ecclesiastes 3:12 ESV)
“and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.” (1 John 3:22)
“constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father,” (1 Thessalonians 1:3)
“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (Hebrews 13:20-21)
“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:15-17)
Notice the connection between “the holy scriptures” and “good works.” The scriptures are what leads us to become heavenly minded, and that is what equips us to do good works.
No Christian should ever be too heavenly minded that they are no earthly good. This is foreign to scripture.
Being heavenly minded brings pleasure to divine persons – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Shouldn’t that be what we aspire to – pleasing God?
1 Corinthians 2:16 tells us “we have the mind of Christ.” However, his mind is made known to us as we read and meditate on the scriptures, allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal it to us.
The Lord Jesus is referred to as he “who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.” (Titus 2:14)
Our Lord Jesus Christ was God manifest in the flesh. Has there ever been anyone more “heavenly minded” than him? Was He “so heavenly minded to be no earthly good?” Certainly not, when we examine his life.
He spoke what was communicated to him of his father and sought to do the father’s will, as the following verses in John tell us –
“For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.” (John 12:49)
“Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.” (John 5:19)
“I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” (John 5:30)
“For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.” (John 6:38)
We read in Acts 10:38, “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”
And what about all the good that he did? “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.” (John 21:25)
As disciples, the Lord Jesus Christ is our great Example. He was not “so heavenly minded that He was no earthly good.” Should we not “follow his steps?” (1 Peter 2:21)