THE FAR-LEFT SIDE OF STUPID

“Thinking themselves to be wise they became fools.”

Just saying . . .

There are so many perplexing questions facing us in life. Such as, “Which came first the chicken or the egg?” GOD came first, creating the chicken with the ability to lay eggs.

When you think about all the “GOT YOU” QUESTIONS in life, it’s amazing what people come up with, especially concerning God.

“Since God is love, why would He send anyone to Hell?” HE DOESN’T!  Those who deny Christ will, by that decision alone, determine their eternal state. Free choice can either be a gift or a curse. Recall the Fall in the Garden and stay obedient to God’s Truth.

Here is a ridiculous question asked of me, “If God is so great, can He make a rock too heavy for Him to pick up?” WELL, YES, HE IS GOD. But then He could reduce the weight and toss the stone across the universe. Silly little “Got You” Questions that only comfort those who would debate and deny God anyway. God doesn’t play that game!

Many things in life are not worth the time invested, questions we entertain have no redeeming qualities, and our positions on earth are fleeting at best. Our eternal positions and crowns must have our complete and undivided attention.

For this reason, James tells us to “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” (James 4:10)

But I want to be greater than great (in fact) I am leaning toward being the greatest. Our pride is astounding at times.  So concerned with our self-image, what others have, and what we don’t. God is not impressed with how your self-esteem is feeling but how bright the Image of Christ reflects in your life.

FOCUS ON GOD; NOT THE ‘I GOT YOU QUESTIONS’

The Disciples themselves argued over which one of them would be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven, here is what Jesus said, “At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, who is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of heaven. Whosoever, therefore, shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the Kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receives me” (Matthew 18:1-5).

When David killed Goliath, was he great, his aim greater or the rock greatest? His faith was more significant than the men of war; however, the God he served was the greatest. The Lord’s strength was the greatest of David’s weapons. He humbled himself before God for such a time as this.

THE DANGERS OF CHERRY-PICKING SCRIPTURE

Christians miss many Promises and blessings from God due to their carnal mindset. They don’t go to church because all the people attending are hypocrites. As the saying goes, “If you find a perfect church, don’t join it, because it will no longer be perfect.” Some Christians can’t wait to get to heaven to validate their earthly concepts. God doesn’t play that game.

Having a position on various Scriptures that are not related to Doctrine, won’t interfere with our Salvation. For example, many debate the Rapture of the Church. When does Christ come for His Church? Pre-Tribulation, Mid-Tribulation, or Post-Tribulation? Our position doesn’t matter in God’s Plan of Salvation. God will take His Bride out in His time. It will happen when it happens; we only need to be ready. Not even Jesus knows the day or the hour.

Here is an effective way of thinking when contemplating the rapture:

• If it is Pre-Tribulation, then praise God and be ready.
• The Mid-Tribulation camp should be ok because they need not fear the mark of the beast during the first 3 ½ years.
• But WOE unto the Post-Tribulation believers because all hell is going to break out. Please remember that 666 is not your friend, no matter how bad it gets.

Where it’s right to hold an opinion, it is not right to let that opinion hold you. The pessimist sees the glass half empty, the optimist sees the glass half full, however, the Psalmist proclaims, “My cup runneth over…” (Psalm 23:5).

Our views on reality might be different from mind to mind, but our opinion doesn’t give us a pass on eternal matters. We must still have our Salvation worked out before the coming of the Lord. Remember, there are no do-overs once we leave this world.

SATAN’S GREATEST WEAPON IS MAN’S IGNORANCE OF GOD’S WORD!

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

The fool has said in his heart,
“There is no God.”
They are corrupt,
They have done abominable works,
There is none who does good.

(Psalm 14:1)

Half-truths, lies, the world, and our old nature, which includes pride and greed are some of the most common strategies Satan uses to tempt us to sin against God. His goal is to keep us from God and eternal life. Reflecting the Image of God by the renewing of our minds is our calling now.

We win the battle for control over our mind as we ‘put on the whole armor of God.”  The Apostle Paul writes, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).

A changed life will always be the result of a renewed mind; a renewed spirit always results in a transformed life.

The vanity of humanity with their vain imaginations are the strongholds that bind up the hearts of men — crafting arguments against God, holding on to every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.

We miss it entirely if we think the love of manipulation, the image of success, smooth words, the feeling of power, lording over authority, and human schemes and programs are just problems among unbelievers. Paul dealt with these types of hearts and minds in the church. We too can see this played out on the world stage and in the pulpit.

It’s in the imagination of men and in their thought life where Satan challenges God. We have heard it all before in Genesis and the Wilderness. “Hath God said? Does God know? Is there knowledge in the highest? Does God see?” And quite often, Satan deceives us into thinking God doesn’t see. Thus, the importance of the ‘Helmet of Salvation.’

When we start to think in this carnal way, we must stop our thoughts, take dominion over them in Jesus’ name. We can choose to prevent this kind of thinking by bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

If we have the mind of the flesh, then we’re going to reap corruption. But if we have the intention of the Spirit, then we’re going to obtain life, joy, and peace in the Holy Spirit.

These Strongholds are wrong thoughts and beliefs, arguments, contradicting God. They hold on to every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God.

At some point, even God will have had enough of all these foolish and prideful people. “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient” (Romans 1:28).

We know the end of the story because we have read the book and personally know the author. God will return with all the Saints to redeem the Title Deed of the Earth from Satan.

So, WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME? This question is for you and you alone to answer. If you are living for Christ, then the answer would be, ALL ETERNITY!

However, separation from God through sin has ramifications on the individual, their circle of family, and friends. Justly, we do reap what we sow. Sin has consequences that affect us momentarily, seasonally, generationally, and in some cases, eternally. Since we have free choice, we must choose our decisions in life wisely. We need faith in God to begin anything we try to do.

Hebrews 11:6 states, “But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Notice, we first believe in the existence of God, then we must believe that God is good and rewards those who diligently seek Him. Faith is critical to our new life in Christ. Faith saved us; therefore, we walk in faith; we live by faith, and we bring glory to God when we grow in faith.

“How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!”

(Proverbs 16:16)

If we are to count it all joy during the fiery trials of life, it’s critical to our understanding “What’s-In-It-For-Me,”; so, we know why we are pressing on. We must get it right here on earth, so to be right when we arrive in Heaven. Remember, there are no do-overs once we leave this life behind.

 “Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” (Proverbs 4:5, 7)

Written by, Brad Wyrick