3/The meek do not protest that they think their way is best, but seek to do the will of God on earth as it is in heaven.
Patience and long-suffering are buoyed by rejoicing in the cross of Christ, so that they do not faint by the way.
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."
Matthew 11:29 KJV
"Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done."
Luke 22:42 KJV
"For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds."
Hebrews 12:3 KJV
"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world."
Galatians 6:14 KJV
"And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name."
Acts 5:41 KJV
4/ "If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will [my] Father honour."
John 12:26 KJV
"For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth."
2 Corinthians 10:18 KJV
Patience and long-suffering are buoyed by rejoicing in the cross of Christ, so that they do not faint by the way.
"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls."
Matthew 11:29 KJV
"Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done."
Luke 22:42 KJV
"For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds."
Hebrews 12:3 KJV
"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world."
Galatians 6:14 KJV
"And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name."
Acts 5:41 KJV
4/ "If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will [my] Father honour."
John 12:26 KJV
"For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth."
2 Corinthians 10:18 KJV
The Nature of UNBELIEF
We do not believe God when He warns us, and when it happens, we do not believe that He can save us.
From arrogance to despair we go, without a thought for our All-Knowing and Almighty God.
Because if I can't handle it, then surely God can't handle it either, for I have perceived my God to be no bigger than myself.
God knows the effect of our actions, good or bad.
He knows when our hearts desire to do foolish things; and He warns us of the consequences.
But we, trusting in our "good intentions," wise in our own conceits, disregard His counsel.
And as surely as we disobey the God Who cannot lie, what He has foretold comes to pass.
And now we're stuck. We didn't believe God when things were going well, and now they're not.
If we only trust God when things go well, what is our trust in, our circumstances, ourselves?
"Oh for grace to trust Him more."
Tis’ So Sweet to Trust in Jesus
https://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Tis_So_Sweet_to_Trust_in_Jesus/
We do not believe God when He warns us, and when it happens, we do not believe that He can save us.
From arrogance to despair we go, without a thought for our All-Knowing and Almighty God.
Because if I can't handle it, then surely God can't handle it either, for I have perceived my God to be no bigger than myself.
God knows the effect of our actions, good or bad.
He knows when our hearts desire to do foolish things; and He warns us of the consequences.
But we, trusting in our "good intentions," wise in our own conceits, disregard His counsel.
And as surely as we disobey the God Who cannot lie, what He has foretold comes to pass.
And now we're stuck. We didn't believe God when things were going well, and now they're not.
If we only trust God when things go well, what is our trust in, our circumstances, ourselves?
"Oh for grace to trust Him more."
Tis’ So Sweet to Trust in Jesus
https://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Tis_So_Sweet_to_Trust_in_Jesus/
To the proud and unbelieving, beware:
What we sow in arrogance, we will reap in despair.
In our arrogance, we dismiss an all-knowing God's warnings.
When the direct result of our actions comes back to bite us, we need to consider outside counsel.
At some point, we will become disillusioned by our own devices (methods, life-hacks).
I submit that our Creator knows a lot more than we give Him credit for—a lot more than we do.
Before you despair, go to God in prayer. Read His Word. Submit to His Will. Sow and reap a better crop.
But this is more than just DIY morality motivation.
Just as God's ways are beyond our understanding, walking in His ways is beyond our power.
Unless we are born again, not only will we fall short of His standards, but that which we have done before is still on our record.
We need someone who can pay the penalty.
We need a Savior, the Son of God from Heaven.
Romans Road | GotQuestions.Org
https://www.gotquestions.org/Romans-road-salvation.html
__________ __________ __________
To believers tempted with Anti-Semitic ideas:
"For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: ...
Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
For if God spared not the natural branches, [take heed] lest he also spare not thee.
Romans 11:13, 18-21 KJV
As Gentiles, we forget our own unbelieving histories. Some will use the unbelief of Israel less as historical lessons encouraging humble repentance, and more as the proud "comparing themselves among themselves."
There was a time when Jews did not believe the Gentiles could be saved.
Today, there are Gentiles who do not believe the Jews can be saved.
Both are wrong.
"For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Romans 10:12-13 KJV
__________ __________ __________
Pride and Unbelief:
Arrogance - We do not believe God when He warns us.
Despair - We do not believe He can deliver us.
Humility and Faith:
Recognizes and seeks the All-Knowing, Almighty God.
What we sow in arrogance, we will reap in despair.
In our arrogance, we dismiss an all-knowing God's warnings.
When the direct result of our actions comes back to bite us, we need to consider outside counsel.
At some point, we will become disillusioned by our own devices (methods, life-hacks).
I submit that our Creator knows a lot more than we give Him credit for—a lot more than we do.
Before you despair, go to God in prayer. Read His Word. Submit to His Will. Sow and reap a better crop.
But this is more than just DIY morality motivation.
Just as God's ways are beyond our understanding, walking in His ways is beyond our power.
Unless we are born again, not only will we fall short of His standards, but that which we have done before is still on our record.
We need someone who can pay the penalty.
We need a Savior, the Son of God from Heaven.
Romans Road | GotQuestions.Org
https://www.gotquestions.org/Romans-road-salvation.html
__________ __________ __________
To believers tempted with Anti-Semitic ideas:
"For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: ...
Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
For if God spared not the natural branches, [take heed] lest he also spare not thee.
Romans 11:13, 18-21 KJV
As Gentiles, we forget our own unbelieving histories. Some will use the unbelief of Israel less as historical lessons encouraging humble repentance, and more as the proud "comparing themselves among themselves."
There was a time when Jews did not believe the Gentiles could be saved.
Today, there are Gentiles who do not believe the Jews can be saved.
Both are wrong.
"For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Romans 10:12-13 KJV
__________ __________ __________
Pride and Unbelief:
Arrogance - We do not believe God when He warns us.
Despair - We do not believe He can deliver us.
Humility and Faith:
Recognizes and seeks the All-Knowing, Almighty God.
How would you say it? 👇
"Don't let the observation of a present fault become the excuse for a future failure."
(Leave a Comment on Social Media.)
😐 Don't let your parent's mistakes become your own.
😬 Don't make excuses that will harm others later.
🙂 Change is possible!
👑 Repent!
Longer quote:
Don't let the observation of a past or present fault—yours or someone else's—become the excuse, the justification, for a future failure.
#quote #quotes
"Don't let the observation of a present fault become the excuse for a future failure."
(Leave a Comment on Social Media.)
😐 Don't let your parent's mistakes become your own.
😬 Don't make excuses that will harm others later.
🙂 Change is possible!
👑 Repent!
Longer quote:
Don't let the observation of a past or present fault—yours or someone else's—become the excuse, the justification, for a future failure.
#quote #quotes
True justice is guided not only by a knowledge of what is good, but by a love of that which is good.
Otherwise, it is but ruthless legalism.
Justice also expresses hatred towards that which is proven to be evil.
Otherwise, it is prone to tolerance of cronyism—respected persons and protected interests.
Injustice is either compromised by a love of evil or corrupted by a hatred of that which is good.
One of the observations that I made regarding the original chart was with regard to justice and injustice.
(And this topic may well be extended into the area of what the end goals of a "correctional" facility ought to be.)
But for now, let’s look deeper at justice and injustice.
JUSTICE
In Micah 6:8, we are commanded to, "do justly, love, mercy, and to walk humbly with God."
As this applies in the general sense, we might do well to consider it with regard to justice. For instance, are we not to consider mercy?
Justice, ultimately, is in divine hands. As David pointed out in Psalm 51:4, all sin is ultimately an offense against God, Who is our ultimate judge.
"Do Justly" - God's Law
If we are too "do justly," our law needs to be of the same nature as God's law.
When we go astray from God's principles of justice, we do ourselves and others grave injustice.
"Love Mercy" - God's Love
If we are to "love mercy," then we must have the love of God in our hearts, and not simply some lawless tolerant streak.
"Walk Humbly" - God's Spirit
If we are to "walk humbly," we need to mind the spirit of God in our proceedings,
pulling the mote out of our own eye,
not proudly and malevolently pursuing personal vendetta,
but resting when there is a conflict of interest.
"With God" - God's Power
And if indeed, we want God’s blessing as we pursue what is good and right and just, we need to act soberly—clearly and honestly—in the sight of God.
For with whatever measure we use of others, it will be used on us at the last day.
If we are just, and if we are merciful,
we will obtain the reward of the just and the merciful,
but if we are unjust and ruthless, we will receive no mercy.
#justice #injustice #love #humility #good #evil #mercy #tolerance
Otherwise, it is but ruthless legalism.
Justice also expresses hatred towards that which is proven to be evil.
Otherwise, it is prone to tolerance of cronyism—respected persons and protected interests.
Injustice is either compromised by a love of evil or corrupted by a hatred of that which is good.
One of the observations that I made regarding the original chart was with regard to justice and injustice.
(And this topic may well be extended into the area of what the end goals of a "correctional" facility ought to be.)
But for now, let’s look deeper at justice and injustice.
JUSTICE
In Micah 6:8, we are commanded to, "do justly, love, mercy, and to walk humbly with God."
As this applies in the general sense, we might do well to consider it with regard to justice. For instance, are we not to consider mercy?
Justice, ultimately, is in divine hands. As David pointed out in Psalm 51:4, all sin is ultimately an offense against God, Who is our ultimate judge.
"Do Justly" - God's Law
If we are too "do justly," our law needs to be of the same nature as God's law.
When we go astray from God's principles of justice, we do ourselves and others grave injustice.
"Love Mercy" - God's Love
If we are to "love mercy," then we must have the love of God in our hearts, and not simply some lawless tolerant streak.
"Walk Humbly" - God's Spirit
If we are to "walk humbly," we need to mind the spirit of God in our proceedings,
pulling the mote out of our own eye,
not proudly and malevolently pursuing personal vendetta,
but resting when there is a conflict of interest.
"With God" - God's Power
And if indeed, we want God’s blessing as we pursue what is good and right and just, we need to act soberly—clearly and honestly—in the sight of God.
For with whatever measure we use of others, it will be used on us at the last day.
If we are just, and if we are merciful,
we will obtain the reward of the just and the merciful,
but if we are unjust and ruthless, we will receive no mercy.
#justice #injustice #love #humility #good #evil #mercy #tolerance
INJUSTICE
Lawless vs God's Law
As we consider what is unjust, we can draw many contrasts.
On one hand, you have God's law which extends mercy out of a heart of love for that which is good, humbly offered in God's name.
On the other hand, you have the lawless heart, which is tolerant of evil, hating what is good, particularly when it offends our pride and selfish ambition.
In the end of history, the consummation, we have the man of lawlessness who sets himself above God, and then declares himself to be God, much after the pattern of the proverbial fool. We are foolish to set or to raise a standard, as if it were above God's standard.
Tolerance vs Mercy
Tolerance is a lawless mercy.
(See previous posts.)
Pride vs Humility
Pride believes in my own "good intentions" as prosecutor, but
humility actually extends the benefit of “innocent until proven guilty" to the defense.
Hate-Fueled vs Love
Since God is love, love propels God's sense of justice, and it is love that extends that mercy to sinners that they may be reconciled to Him.
Injustice does harm to those who God loves, therefore this malice—this hate-filled motivation—must not corrupt our search for justice.
Self-Empowerment +/- God's Name
(Self-serving knockoffs of the Almighty's endeavors.)
At last, we step on the toes of the antihero. There are those who are very self-driven, self-empowered, and otherwise self-seeking, operating outside of God-ordained authority to seek and enforce "justice."
Some of these individuals may do so by invoking the name of God, while others may leave Him out of it.
Bonus: The lawless are like atheists; both will deny the authority or even the existence of that which they oppose.
The difference is, are you willing to personally suffer an injustice, though you dearly love justice, until the day you stand before the Lord, the Righteous Judge, and there find your vindication or condemnation?
Are you willing to deny self in the short run, suffering injustice, so that others may find justice in the long run?
And will you extend mercy as you have been shown mercy by God?
Or are you untouchable, unstoppable, unaccountable, and ungracious?
#injustice #good #evil #tolerance
Lawless vs God's Law
As we consider what is unjust, we can draw many contrasts.
On one hand, you have God's law which extends mercy out of a heart of love for that which is good, humbly offered in God's name.
On the other hand, you have the lawless heart, which is tolerant of evil, hating what is good, particularly when it offends our pride and selfish ambition.
In the end of history, the consummation, we have the man of lawlessness who sets himself above God, and then declares himself to be God, much after the pattern of the proverbial fool. We are foolish to set or to raise a standard, as if it were above God's standard.
Tolerance vs Mercy
Tolerance is a lawless mercy.
(See previous posts.)
Pride vs Humility
Pride believes in my own "good intentions" as prosecutor, but
humility actually extends the benefit of “innocent until proven guilty" to the defense.
Hate-Fueled vs Love
Since God is love, love propels God's sense of justice, and it is love that extends that mercy to sinners that they may be reconciled to Him.
Injustice does harm to those who God loves, therefore this malice—this hate-filled motivation—must not corrupt our search for justice.
Self-Empowerment +/- God's Name
(Self-serving knockoffs of the Almighty's endeavors.)
At last, we step on the toes of the antihero. There are those who are very self-driven, self-empowered, and otherwise self-seeking, operating outside of God-ordained authority to seek and enforce "justice."
Some of these individuals may do so by invoking the name of God, while others may leave Him out of it.
Bonus: The lawless are like atheists; both will deny the authority or even the existence of that which they oppose.
The difference is, are you willing to personally suffer an injustice, though you dearly love justice, until the day you stand before the Lord, the Righteous Judge, and there find your vindication or condemnation?
Are you willing to deny self in the short run, suffering injustice, so that others may find justice in the long run?
And will you extend mercy as you have been shown mercy by God?
Or are you untouchable, unstoppable, unaccountable, and ungracious?
#injustice #good #evil #tolerance
CHRIST
Consider the actions of Christ in this matter of justice and injustice:
"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:"
- 1 Peter 3:18 KJV
But this is not an article primarily about suffering.
It is about having the mind of Christ regarding justice and injustice.
See also: 1 Peter 2:19-20.
Let's deal with some counterfeits. In the king's English, we call this reproof.
Compromise vs Grace
Those who seek justice may well extend mercy. They seek the betterment of all persons involved.
They do not believe it is a zero-sum game.
They believe God‘s grace is sufficient, and
they extend that grace to raise others up.
But injustice seeks for compromise, which pulls people down, back into the ditch, back into the gutter, back into ways that are worse and worse.
Be an agent of justice and grace, not an agent of injustice and compromise.
Corruption vs Redemption
You are here to seek for people‘s redemption, not their corruption.
In Conclusion
Seek what God has to say about what is good.
Love what is good. Hate what is evil.
Wherever you are, and by whatever means God gives you,
do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly…
use that to call sinners to repentance.
#justice #injustice #love #humility #good #evil #mercy #tolerance
Consider the actions of Christ in this matter of justice and injustice:
"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:"
- 1 Peter 3:18 KJV
But this is not an article primarily about suffering.
It is about having the mind of Christ regarding justice and injustice.
See also: 1 Peter 2:19-20.
Let's deal with some counterfeits. In the king's English, we call this reproof.
Compromise vs Grace
Those who seek justice may well extend mercy. They seek the betterment of all persons involved.
They do not believe it is a zero-sum game.
They believe God‘s grace is sufficient, and
they extend that grace to raise others up.
But injustice seeks for compromise, which pulls people down, back into the ditch, back into the gutter, back into ways that are worse and worse.
Be an agent of justice and grace, not an agent of injustice and compromise.
Corruption vs Redemption
You are here to seek for people‘s redemption, not their corruption.
In Conclusion
Seek what God has to say about what is good.
Love what is good. Hate what is evil.
Wherever you are, and by whatever means God gives you,
do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly…
use that to call sinners to repentance.
#justice #injustice #love #humility #good #evil #mercy #tolerance
3. Justice vs Injustice
Justice
https://t.me/Edify_LIVE/74
Injustice
https://t.me/Edify_LIVE/76
Christ
https://t.me/Edify_LIVE/78
1. Love Good, Hate Evil
https://t.me/Edify_LIVE/7
2. Why Was Jesus Hated? Hate of Good
https://t.me/Edify_LIVE/9
Justice
https://t.me/Edify_LIVE/74
Injustice
https://t.me/Edify_LIVE/76
Christ
https://t.me/Edify_LIVE/78
1. Love Good, Hate Evil
https://t.me/Edify_LIVE/7
2. Why Was Jesus Hated? Hate of Good
https://t.me/Edify_LIVE/9
Getting a Bearing on Truth
Just as spinning in circles physically can be disorienting to people physically,
so chasing every wind of doctrine, twisting and turning about like a madman, can be disorienting to those seeking a bearing on truth.
You need to have knowledge of God’s Word, and by following it, gain experience in your relationship with God…there find your bearing, there find your peace, and clarity, and compass, your Friend and Guide.
Seek others who have this relationship with God and learn from them what you may have missed or misunderstood,
but always with God’s authority at the center, His Word the foundation of faith and practice.
Just as spinning in circles physically can be disorienting to people physically,
so chasing every wind of doctrine, twisting and turning about like a madman, can be disorienting to those seeking a bearing on truth.
You need to have knowledge of God’s Word, and by following it, gain experience in your relationship with God…there find your bearing, there find your peace, and clarity, and compass, your Friend and Guide.
Seek others who have this relationship with God and learn from them what you may have missed or misunderstood,
but always with God’s authority at the center, His Word the foundation of faith and practice.
Reversing this classic quote blew my mind.
It is a searing indictment of the spirit of lawlessness at work in the church today.
True:
A Christian who DEFENDS sin in any form has lost the FEAR of God.
False:
A Christian who OPPOSES sin in any form has lost the LOVE of God.
Choose:
Either call sinners to repentance
(like Jesus did),
or affirm their lawlessness
(like the Anti-Christian do).
Entire books have been written about less. Don't hold your breath on my account.
God's Word is sufficient. Read 1st John.
It is a searing indictment of the spirit of lawlessness at work in the church today.
True:
A Christian who DEFENDS sin in any form has lost the FEAR of God.
False:
A Christian who OPPOSES sin in any form has lost the LOVE of God.
Choose:
Either call sinners to repentance
(like Jesus did),
or affirm their lawlessness
(like the Anti-Christian do).
Entire books have been written about less. Don't hold your breath on my account.
God's Word is sufficient. Read 1st John.
"6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
8 For my thoughts [are] not your thoughts, neither [are] your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
9 For [as] the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."
- Isaiah 55:6-9 KJV
"3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil."
- Proverbs 3:3-7 KJV
"9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? 10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings."
- Jeremiah 17:9-10 KJV
More obscure passages to consider, as we learn from the history of God's chosen people:
'We know better than God...'
Ezekiel 33:17-20
Does this sound like us today?
Speak smoothly, prophesy deceits...
Isaiah 30:9-13
Trusting in lies, premeditated sin...
Jeremiah 7:8-10
7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
8 For my thoughts [are] not your thoughts, neither [are] your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
9 For [as] the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."
- Isaiah 55:6-9 KJV
"3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil."
- Proverbs 3:3-7 KJV
"9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? 10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings."
- Jeremiah 17:9-10 KJV
More obscure passages to consider, as we learn from the history of God's chosen people:
'We know better than God...'
Ezekiel 33:17-20
Does this sound like us today?
Speak smoothly, prophesy deceits...
Isaiah 30:9-13
Trusting in lies, premeditated sin...
Jeremiah 7:8-10
THE SLINGSHOT MANEUVER
What course are you on?
Spacecraft use a technique called the "slingshot maneuver" to boost speed. This can also result in a change of direction. Consider the many people and institutions we learn from throughout life and consider how they are influencing your trajectory.
On the other hand, how do you affect others? What direction do you pull those who are within your sphere of influence? Are you drawing them closer to God, or sending them off in the wrong direction?
There are countless ways—planets and paths—you could draw in an illustration like this. I am highlighting only four. Starting at the bottom of the illustration, going from left to right, let me tell you about them.
The first rocket turns sharply left at the beginning. They might be born into a bad situation, or they are attracted by that yellow glow nearest their position. After that, they actually course-correct, and as straight as their trajectory may seem, they're actually dealing with a lot of peer pressure. But in the end, something doesn't sit well about the void on their left, so they choose to swing past the second blue planet and correct their course slightly towards God and truth at last.
The second rocket drifts off-course, and has a bit of a course-correction, but ultimately keeps going in the same direction. You could say they are lukewarm, but they are a bit more direct than that. Perhaps pride and self-conceit drive them. In the end, they fully commit to an idea that destroys them.
The third rocket seems to be headed in a good direction at first, but something about this world pulls them off-course.
The blue planet that follows could be anything, perhaps the internet, where they learn something that does set them on a better course.
But you know the internet, and soon they "learn" something else and end up getting sucked into a deadly "new" error.
In this illustration, you can see where the rocket is heading. They have not yet perished. You still have the chance to shine and draw them away from that darkness.
This variety of influences and opinions—choices—is part of the reason I chose the verse in the footer:
"…wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever."
- Jude 1:13b KJV
●
The more error we entertain, the longer and the farther we wander.
"Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."
- 2 Timothy 3:7 KJV
●
We could chart a course of moral relativism that would wander "for ever," as eternal as the heavens, until God calls our bluff, ending either the spacecraft or the stars themselves.
We need to seek and find and spread the absolute truth of God's Word, so that men might see the true light, Jesus Christ, and follow Him, the Way, before it is forever too late.
The fourth rocket takes a sharp right, spinning so quickly around the nearest destructive idea, that they bring destruction, not only to themselves, but to the world around them. They may be fixated on one celebrity or celebrated thought, but when they abandon or are boosted by that orbit, they crash and burn.
I did not apply specific labels to these rockets immediately, so that people are not so quick to brush it off, or rush off, and point fingers. But perhaps someone may relate and realize, and course-correct, before it is too late.
●
The first rocket might apply to an atheist who turns to God through trials.
●
The second rocket might be a proud person gradually seduced by humanism.
●
The third rocket might be a very practical, down-to-earth person, but very easily manipulated, nonetheless.
●
The fourth rocket may be a follower of a cult, or the occult.
What course are you on?
Spacecraft use a technique called the "slingshot maneuver" to boost speed. This can also result in a change of direction. Consider the many people and institutions we learn from throughout life and consider how they are influencing your trajectory.
On the other hand, how do you affect others? What direction do you pull those who are within your sphere of influence? Are you drawing them closer to God, or sending them off in the wrong direction?
There are countless ways—planets and paths—you could draw in an illustration like this. I am highlighting only four. Starting at the bottom of the illustration, going from left to right, let me tell you about them.
The first rocket turns sharply left at the beginning. They might be born into a bad situation, or they are attracted by that yellow glow nearest their position. After that, they actually course-correct, and as straight as their trajectory may seem, they're actually dealing with a lot of peer pressure. But in the end, something doesn't sit well about the void on their left, so they choose to swing past the second blue planet and correct their course slightly towards God and truth at last.
The second rocket drifts off-course, and has a bit of a course-correction, but ultimately keeps going in the same direction. You could say they are lukewarm, but they are a bit more direct than that. Perhaps pride and self-conceit drive them. In the end, they fully commit to an idea that destroys them.
The third rocket seems to be headed in a good direction at first, but something about this world pulls them off-course.
The blue planet that follows could be anything, perhaps the internet, where they learn something that does set them on a better course.
But you know the internet, and soon they "learn" something else and end up getting sucked into a deadly "new" error.
In this illustration, you can see where the rocket is heading. They have not yet perished. You still have the chance to shine and draw them away from that darkness.
This variety of influences and opinions—choices—is part of the reason I chose the verse in the footer:
"…wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever."
- Jude 1:13b KJV
●
The more error we entertain, the longer and the farther we wander.
"Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."
- 2 Timothy 3:7 KJV
●
We could chart a course of moral relativism that would wander "for ever," as eternal as the heavens, until God calls our bluff, ending either the spacecraft or the stars themselves.
We need to seek and find and spread the absolute truth of God's Word, so that men might see the true light, Jesus Christ, and follow Him, the Way, before it is forever too late.
The fourth rocket takes a sharp right, spinning so quickly around the nearest destructive idea, that they bring destruction, not only to themselves, but to the world around them. They may be fixated on one celebrity or celebrated thought, but when they abandon or are boosted by that orbit, they crash and burn.
I did not apply specific labels to these rockets immediately, so that people are not so quick to brush it off, or rush off, and point fingers. But perhaps someone may relate and realize, and course-correct, before it is too late.
●
The first rocket might apply to an atheist who turns to God through trials.
●
The second rocket might be a proud person gradually seduced by humanism.
●
The third rocket might be a very practical, down-to-earth person, but very easily manipulated, nonetheless.
●
The fourth rocket may be a follower of a cult, or the occult.
Whatever you think of this chart, please note it is a fairly arbitrary map, which brings up an important point about charts in general.
Other charts we create may be better structured, which makes people take them more seriously.
But ultimately, how we choose to show the "data" might as well be a poll, a shifty squirmy statistic, in comparison with the Word of God.
Consider how many sources of "special knowledge" or "science" today are just polls—dodgy relativistic "data."
An illustration, printed or spoken, can lie just as quickly as it can tell the truth. And charts as poorly mapped out as this one can really make people scratch their heads.
Vagueness can be a tool of liars, masquerading as nuance and spiritual depth.
And it really gets dodgy when you "try the spirits," Biblically speaking (1 John 4:1).
Many false prophets are in the world…many.
So, in this universe of dodgy devils and wandering stars, how can a Christian set and stay the course? Study the Word of God, and pray without ceasing.
Other charts we create may be better structured, which makes people take them more seriously.
But ultimately, how we choose to show the "data" might as well be a poll, a shifty squirmy statistic, in comparison with the Word of God.
Consider how many sources of "special knowledge" or "science" today are just polls—dodgy relativistic "data."
An illustration, printed or spoken, can lie just as quickly as it can tell the truth. And charts as poorly mapped out as this one can really make people scratch their heads.
Vagueness can be a tool of liars, masquerading as nuance and spiritual depth.
And it really gets dodgy when you "try the spirits," Biblically speaking (1 John 4:1).
Many false prophets are in the world…many.
So, in this universe of dodgy devils and wandering stars, how can a Christian set and stay the course? Study the Word of God, and pray without ceasing.
In case you missed it, many churches are adrift, completely unmoored, dying a death of apathy, with novelty chaotically attempting to play defibrillator. And the Lord have mercy when those novelties are pagan.
How did we get there? How can we chart the drift of compromise?
In this illustration, I use 3 parallel number lines to illustrate the relativistic drift that occurs generation after generation in a lukewarm "moderate" church.
Keeping their eyes on men, when men move the goalposts further and further away from God, the "middle of the road" will shift relative to that.
"0" represents the origin, the absolute, from which man goes astray.
I have included 2 variants, one which is in English reading order, left-to-right, which frankly represents the positive spin put on progressivism, forever forward, the eternal march of the indomitable and defiant, proud, devilish and doomed will.
The second variant shows the "progression" in its true direction, negative, in pursuit of Utopian Babel, away from God.
How did we get there? How can we chart the drift of compromise?
In this illustration, I use 3 parallel number lines to illustrate the relativistic drift that occurs generation after generation in a lukewarm "moderate" church.
Keeping their eyes on men, when men move the goalposts further and further away from God, the "middle of the road" will shift relative to that.
"0" represents the origin, the absolute, from which man goes astray.
I have included 2 variants, one which is in English reading order, left-to-right, which frankly represents the positive spin put on progressivism, forever forward, the eternal march of the indomitable and defiant, proud, devilish and doomed will.
The second variant shows the "progression" in its true direction, negative, in pursuit of Utopian Babel, away from God.