Jan and I have visited London several times. On our first visit, we noticed something we had never seen before. It was a sign painted on the platform of the train station that read, “Mind the Gap.” The sign is a warning to train passengers to be careful when stepping across the gap between the train and the station platform. If the train is in the station not minding the gap could twist an ankle. If an incoming train was not stopping, failing to remain behind the gap line could get a person killed.
In all areas of life, we need to wisely mind the gap between what is true and what is false, between what is acceptable or not, and between what will honor the Lord or bring dishonor to His name. A life without these gaps is a tragic story of compromise and defeat that destroys one’s spiritual life, their most intimate relationships and becomes a sad witness that someone has yet to learn what it means to live under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
One chapter in Scripture addresses such gaps. We could call Ephesians chapter 5 “The Mind the Gap Chapter.” Here are some excerpts defining what minding the gap looks like in the life of a believer.
“Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God” (Ephesians 5: 3-4).
“Do not let anyone fool you by telling you things that are not true, because these things will bring God’s anger on those who do not obey him. So have nothing to do with them” (vs. 6-7).
“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret” (vs. 11-12).
Our character matters. Character is what carries our anointing long term. It keeps our marriages in the safe and holy union God intended. Character models for our children that we are submitted to God, not our flesh or the appeals of a culture descending deeper into darkness.
We need to constantly mind the gap because the trains of hell are always passing through the terminal of our lives. Stepping across the line can bring a premature end to a life and calling that had great potential in God’s Kingdom.
Can I be super honest here? That is hard to do…minding the gap. Im acutely aware of how much I fall short…continually. There is this huge laundry list of behaviors that lead to sin that need to be “minded” in order to “escape these things” in the end. What behaviors/sin stop the rain, what behaviors/sin halt the crops and bring murein on livestock.. How we treat each other, the widow, the orphan…our tithes. When the shaking starts in earnest what ever we don’t have in line with Gods word/heart will become evident/shook. Turn now. Repent. Get in line with God’s heart. It’s not as simple as saying forgive me for my sins…its turning your behavior. Changing. How you speak in private and public about others. How you complain and grumble about things. How you treat others…your enemies, those who have less than you, your family…your neighbor. I’m trying to teach my kids how to use their mouths wisely and not bring curses on themselves and others.. yes…curses. You reap what you sow with you mouth. Its either life or death, a blessing or a curse… I think this is what the final blessing of the tribes was about…Benjamin. The end time Christians. His altar burnt continually like a ravin wolf. There is an interesting word study behind those words (about a dowry)… but it is also symbolic the struggle with our emotions and our mouths we will face in the end that is continually offered up as a “burnt offering” to the Lord like a ravin wolf…morning and night. If that makes sense? *sigh* this is difficult. It takes serious commitment to reign in your thinking/your tongue. I’ve been thinking about this “gap” for several weeks now. Our local church started a series on it too…the Roads Church Norris City on youtube if anyone wants to watch it too. Thanks for the confirmation Garris. I appreciate you sharing your God given wisdom with everyone.