When we resist the challenge to be like everyone else, when we desire to develop and grow spiritually and emotionally we will be excluded and rejected for daring to be different.
Most people want to be accepted and will change their thinking to fit into the world. If they have a rational thought that differs from the world they will set aside the rational to embrace the irrational merely to be accepted by the culture around them.
Notice too that the religious leaders hated Christ, they feared loss of their power over the people. People have a tendency to follow a hierarchy system so they don't have to think for themselves. This is the reason the religious leaders could intimidate others into following them instead of an unseen God. It is a weak faith that follows men instead of the Holy Spirit they cannot see.
Those who follow a system or men depend on those things to do their spirituality for them. Little do they realize that no one and nothing else can be a relationship with God on our behalf.
We will stand before God all by ourselves. If we obey the culture, a husband, parents, or the culture in disobedience to God then we alone will be held accountable for our sin of idolatry.
Whenever a person attaches more authority to a person or thing than they do to God, they have an idol in their heart.
Isaiah 44:6
"Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god."
1 Timothy 2:5
"For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,"
When a husband, a priest, or a preacher becomes the first person we go to for counsel, then we have a false mediator between us and God.
1 Timothy 2:4-5 "…4 who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, "
Jesus Christ Who lives in us is the only mediator we need and hates that we turn to anyone else first. It is not a problem to listen to good counsel based on the word of God, but ultimately our search for truth must be toward the Holy Spirit.
Many "Christians" almost never pray unless they are in deep trouble they cannot get themselves out of, often these people do not pray because they do not have the Holy Spirit.
When we love God we talk to Him all day long and desire to hear from Him for His will, not our own. Those who have a laundry list of things for God to grant, do not understand a relationship with Christ Who lives in believers.
Sadly some people treat their friends the way they treat God. They only call on their friends when they want or need something. In their minds friends are to be used and things and events are to be loved more than people. In fact, many people who refuse to hear from God except when they are getting their own way, are people who use friends and love things.
Psalm 7:17
“I will give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High.”
Psalm 9:11
“Sing praises to the Lord, who sits enthroned in Zion! Tell among the peoples his deeds!”
Psalm 18:3
“I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.”
Psalm 21:13
“Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength! We will sing and praise your power.”
Spend a day just praising and thanking God without any requests or any self-focus, you will be amazed at the peace and joy that returns.
No comments:
Post a Comment