Saturday, August 25, 2007

# 215: Obedience

# 215: Obedience Exposing false teachings is what this blog is about. And one of the most disturbing travesties of all, which has been mentioned dozens of times herein, is omitting the importance of obedience as an intricate part of God’s plan of Salvation. Some of the arguments that make light of obedience are the following: obedience only gives a person rewards; who is totally obedient to all that is commanded in Scripture?; lack of obedience cannot do away with Christ’s work on the cross; if Christianity depended on obedience, what happened to grace?; if Christianity depended on obedience, there would be no one who qualified, since all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God; when we don’t obey, Christ’s blood covers that sin; how can we not sin, since all humans are flawed? I am certain there are dozens upon dozens more illegitimate excuses that negate obedience as a primary condition in verifying we are God’s holy children.

The reason obedience is not preached or enforced to any degree by conventional churches—they are the ones who mostly are the culprits—is because the laity does not desire to hear about their personal failures and weaknesses; they would rather be told how blessed they are to have God’s favor, and for being members of such a dedicated and caring church.

Isn’t it funny that there is not one Biblical verse that says, "It is only human to disobey,” or “It is okay to disobey"? But there are about 45 verses that say the exact opposite. I will undertake the arduous task of listing the vast majority of verses that stress obedience.

This is the functional part that obedience plays in the lives of all born-again Christians: When we repent of our sins, we accept that Jesus Christ died for the sins of all who believe/have faith in His redemptive work on the cross; that belief is the initial action that gives us Salvation. Many people stop there by not living up to the remainder of Scripture which tells what the result of that life-saving belief. When that belief is real, love for God and for our fellow man/woman will be one result of our initial belief, along with our obedience to all that is taught (commanded) in the New Testament. That is the needed response, or better yet, the result of our love for God and neighbor. We cannot display our love without action, and obedience is the active part which confirms that love. Words of love alone don’t count for beans, except when they coincide with our obedience. Does that make sense to you? If it doesn’t, just continue reading to see all the upcoming hardcore, Biblical evidence.

We must know what Christ’s teachings are and what commands we have to obey before we can put our obedience into its proper prospective. The reason obedience is stressed as much as it is in Scripture is because God, Christ and the Bible writers knew in advance that disobedience could/would be the weak link and downfall of many. Without the knowledge of many, obedience is the most difficult and the most avoided segment, to say the least, in living the Christian life. Here are a few of the posts that tell what our obligation is along with, as already mentioned, how much obedience is emphasized: posts # 197, 142, 92, 76, 57, 31. There may be some redundancy in a few of those posts, but bear with me; most likely the majority of us need it.

This post is mainly for those who don’t know why or what to obey or believe. Then some may believe it is not necessary to obey except when it's convenient, since they already have been saved; to them, this post will be the most shocking of all that has been written thus far.

I will say no more, but just let the New Testament speak—since this is a Biblical blog—as it tells why continued obedience is an imperative (absolutely essential) part of the genuine Christian life.

1) Romans 1:5. ". . . to the obedience that comes from faith."

2) Romans 6:16 ". . .you are slaves to the one whom you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness."

3) 2nd Corinthians 9:13. ". . . men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ . . . ."

4) 2nd Corinthians 10:6. "And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete."

5) Hebrews 5:8-9. "Although he [Christ] was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and once made perfect, he became the source of eternal life for all who obey him." If we were to forget all others verses, we must keep this one in mind at all times.

6) 2nd John 6. "And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands."

7) 2nd Corinthians 2:9. "The reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything."

8) 2nd Corinthians 7:15. "And his affection for you is all the greater when he remembers you were all obedient, receiving him in fear and trembling."

9) 2nd Corinthians 10:5. ". . . and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

10) Titus 3:1. ". . . to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good . . . ."

11) 1st Peter 1:14. "As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance."

12) Matthew 28:20. "And teaching them to obey everything I [Jesus] have commanded you."

13) Luke 11:28. "He replied, ‘Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it.’"

14) John 14:15. "If you love me, you will obey what I command."

15) John 14:23-24. "Jesus replied, ‘If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching . . . He who does not love me will not obey my teaching.’"

16) John 15:10. "If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love."

17) John 15:20-21. "If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also."

18) Acts 5:19. "We must obey God rather than men [church leaders]."

19) Acts 5:32. "We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him." Do you and I possess God’s Holy Spirit? Answer: only if our lives are lived in holy obedience as commanded in the New Testament.

20) Romans 15:18. "I will not venture to speak except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done."

21) Romans 16:26. ". . . by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him."

22) 2nd Thessalonians 1:8-9. "He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will punish with everlasting destruction and shutout from the presence of the Lord . . . ."

23) 2nd Thessalonians 3:14. "If anyone does not obey our instructions in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed."

24) 1st Peter 4-18: "For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And if it is hard for the righteous to be save, what will become of the ungodly and sinner?"

25) 1st Peter 1:2. ". . . who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and the sprinkling of his blood."

26) 1st John 2:3 "We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands."

27) 1 John 3:22. ". . . and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him."

28) 1 John 3:24. "Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them."

29) 1st John 5:3-4. "This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome. For everyone born of God has overcome the world."

30) Revelation 3:3. "Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it and repent."

31) Revelation 12:17. "Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring—those who obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus."

32) Revelation 14:12. "This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commands and remain faithful to Jesus."

33) John 15:10. "If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love."

34) John 15:14. "You are my friends if you do what I command."

35) Romans 6:17. "But thanks be to God, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted."

36) Philippians 2:12. "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obey—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling." Salvation is something we must already have, in order to work it out.

37) 1st Peter 1:22. "Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart."

38) 1st John 2:5. "But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him."

39) John 14:21. "Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who love me." Those who do not obey Jesus do not love God, even though they may claim to love Him.

40) Hebrews 4:11 "Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, [eternity], so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience."

41) Ephesians 2:2. ". . . when you followed the ways of this world and the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient." Who are you and I working for? Our obedience will tell.

42) Ephesians 5:6. "Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient."

43) Ephesians 5:12. "For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret."

44) Titus 1:16. "They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good."

45) 1st Peter 2:8. "They stumbled because they disobeyed the message—which is also what they were destined for." It seems disobedience is the common denominator for doing evil in all aspects of the Christian life.

Saturday, August 18, 2007

# 214: Are We Having Any Fun Yet?

The question this bumper sticker is indirectly asking is: “What is fun?” Let’s start by giving Webster’s definition of fun. Webster says: “a fool, foolish, or fonnen, to be foolish. 1a) lively, joyful play or playfulness; amusement, sport, recreation, etc. b) enjoyment or pleasure; 2) a source or cause of amusement or merriment, as an amusing person or thing." The question I ask is this: Why do we as humans desire to be amused? I am certain there can be a variety of answers to that question. But is there a core reason why we like to have fun? Proverbs 17:22 says, "A cheerful heart is good medicine." That sounds like a good reason, if fun gives us a cheerful heart. I think a better reason is that it gives us a break from the serious side of life. And who doesn’t need an occasional respite from life?

But without knowing it, having fun, like most other activities, can easily become addicting. There is an old adage which is a warning to all peoples: “Do something once, a habit is started; do something twice, a habit is born,” and once a habit is formed, it is extremely difficult to break. Am I recommending we should stop having fun because it may be addicting? I will a give a short commentary on that question shortly.

One of the main reasons we engage in fun is because it usually is easy. Another reason: It seems life without fun would be incomplete. Why? Regardless what type of lifestyle we are living and how great it may seem, it could be lacking a primary component: a clue, a controlling purpose and a dominating reason for living. And I can guarantee that if one thinks drinking, smoking, wealth, even inordinate sex, etc. is difficult to stop, having fun is even more difficult to control.

The reason being, most will say, “It is not harmful or even sinful to have fun.” That is partially true. Another truth: Our subconscious mind is a sum total of everything we have ever said, done, thought and seen. With that fact in mind, our conscious mind can indicate to us the difference between actuality and make-believe, but our subconscious is not able to differentiate reality from fiction. Therefore, when we have to make a correct decision, we rely on our past experience as an indicator to tell us the course we should take. Another unknown most humans forget is that a majority of life’s experiences rely on our subconscious to direct us.

This principle is seen more so in the young when they get involved in bad behavior. Those who watch the most violent actions on TV, etc. are more inclined to act out what they saw. The older we get, the more blurred it becomes, as we are unknowingly acting out what we saw, did or thought. This old adage comes into play: “We become like those we gaze at.”

Therefore, the time we spend enjoying ourselves is shaping how and what we will desire to have and do tomorrow. Put another way, the more fun we have at the present, the more we will want and do in the future. It eventually will come to where doing fun-type activities that are relaxing, enjoyable, pleasant, and easy to handle, such as sports, vacations, eating out, movies on TV, DVDs, movie theaters, along with many other types of activities, will be the dominating desires in our lives. Some will say, “Isn’t that what we all are living for, to have life easy?”

Let us analyze “fun” from a Biblical point of view. If the majority of people in the world were asked, “If you had a choice, what sort of life would you desire, bar none?” I am certain the vast majority would want a life that is free of stress, worry, physical effort, lack of hatred (where all people get along), and most of all, security from all harmful and distasteful uncertainties. Is that asking too much?

It is very unlikely that many, if any, could ever acquire that blissful type of life. I tell you a mystery: That is the type of lifestyle we subconsciously are seeking. That is why fun-type activities worm their way into our lives.

How many genuine Christians include the aforementioned premise in our lives? One thing is for sure: If a person only claims to be a Christian and attempts to exclude fun from one’s life, he/she will be an unhappy and unfilled person. I have met a few like that. I heard a story of a pastor on an airplane flight coming home from some missionary work; he was offered some ice cream at break time. His response was, “Oh, no; I can’t indulge in eating ice cream; it would be sinful.”

Repeating, how will a mature Christian respond to the fun question? Let me quote a verse from Philippians 4:7. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” There is the answer for Christians. It is the peace of God that makes our lives full of the presence of Jesus Christ. A full measure of that Godly peace will make worldly fun undesirable and unnecessary. Yes, that peace and joy will make the genuine Christian life overflowing with completeness.

Here is what that Godly peace consists of: living in certainty that all will go well, regardless of what happens, meaning we will live in the joy of the Lord in all circumstances. Let’s go one step further. Genesis 1:26. “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him, male and female he created them.”

Now here is the point: in all the thousands and thousands of years since we were originally created, through our God-guided evolution process, mankind has strayed, to say the least, from the Godly characteristics and attributes we were endowed with. But that doesn’t mean those innate instincts went away. No. The desire to live in a serene, utopian/heavenly environment is still with us all. That is the hidden reason we desire life to be easy, pleasant and carefree. But that is not even close to how life is, so we do the best we can to make it like the storybook Shangri-La. And having fun is the best way the lost (those who don’t obey Christ’s teachings) know how to acquire that heaven-like peace. Ephesians 5:6. “. . . God’s wrath comes on those we are disobedient.”

The only problem is that all fun-type activities will leave us empty as to meaning and purpose in life because the more we engage in them, the more we need them—I know; I have been there for years. They are not able to permanently fulfill our need for lasting tranquility, peace and joy, which only our connection with our Lord Jesus Christ can suffice.

Saturday, August 11, 2007

# 213: Waste, Laziness & Debts

This post contains strong words that may be offensive to some. Reader's discretion is advised. Again, this is not for the fainthearted. Most prudent writers don’t have the intestinal fortitude to indulge in such sensitive matters. Regardless of the dismay of many, I make it a point to write words as seen through the eyes of Jesus Christ, with no excuses or apologies.

The gospel of John 6:12. "Let nothing be wasted." Waste is a crime against Christ’s teachings, against the poor and unknowingly against ourselves. How so? Waste is a destruction of something valuable. Put another way, waste is contrary to the universal principle of conservation of anything which has value. When a person has an abundance, this little- known axiom can easily be compromised.

This principle applies to just about anyone who has too much of whatever, be it money, food or any other material commodities. On the surface, it may seem like a luxury not to have to scrimp and scrape. But if one excavates deeper, it mainly is a reflection of prosperity and little common sense. These are just two of the many reasons why, for a true disciple of Christ, wealth is frowned upon by New Testament Scripture.

Waste is also an indication that there is a deficiency of spiritual wealth concerning love for God and neighbor, etc. All that a genuine Christian has that is not consumed or needed (surplus) is a thoughtless theft from those without. When it comes to wasting food by eating more than necessary, that is also a sly and silent crime against self.

Being overweight and obese is one of the main consequences of eating more than the body needs, along with lack of sufficient exercise, which is the other cause that leads to a myriad of illnesses, diseases and an early death. Concerning lack of exercise, the invention of the automobile and other forms of fast transportation are also the main culprits for our poor physical condition. What happened to walking and bike-riding? Forget it; that will never come into vogue again. In general, for the 66% of Americans who are either overweight or obese, physical health may be gone forever. Those bad habits are difficult, if not impossible, to break.

Many times, and in many ways, waste has other insidious consequences. Just because one has extra today and that waste is the norm, it doesn’t mean there is a guarantee that it will be there tomorrow. The vicissitudes of life many times take strange turns when least expected.

I am certain the vast majority of the American population, "christians" and atheists, would disagree with the principle of individual prohibition of waste. And the results are coming to fruition. The American government has been wasting our money since the beginning. And now it is almost time to pay the fiddler.

By the year 2008, our (yours and mine) national debt will reach nine trillion dollars. Much of it got there by the idiotic workings of the Bush administration, etc., by spending more than it takes in. That means every American man, woman and child is in debt and will owe China and the other nations we borrowed from almost $300,000 each. What did you and I do wrong to incur such a large individual debt? [correct my figures if they are in error]. Most of us now living will die without paying that debt in full; we may not even start to pay it back for years to come. That leaves the remainder to be paid for by our children and grandchildren, if the U.S. still is around. As I mentioned in a previous post, if something isn’t done to curb wasteful spending, along with everyone having to tighten their belts, this country will be belly-up (totally bankrupt) in as few as 10 to 20 years.

Most of us are concerned with Islamic terrorists, and that threat is real, but another threat just as ominous that functions in an insidious way is the threat that is within us: wealth, complacency, waste and our lovely laziness. This threat will not just strike in random places and kill a few thousand, but everyone will be affected. If one can read between the lines of what is happening according to today’s news, it becomes apparent that something in our affluent society is dramatically out of kilter. Of course, most will stick their heads in the sand and say, "That is not true; you are just a doomsday ghost." I very seldom make predictions, but one I am certain of is the downfall of our wonderful, powerful and wealthy country. The writing is on the wall.

No one wants to hear about this kind of stuff. They say, "Tell us how holy and well-off we are." Sure! Many have been mesmerized into thinking, "Nothing can happen to such a powerful and rich country like ours." Our doom will be the consequence of corruption, mismanagement, waste and self-centeredness in government, along with the complacency of the American people. No one can continually violate laws that are established in Scripture—even if they are atheists—as to how to live, and get away with it forever, as some Americans believe.

Probably, one of the biggest wastes in our country is the waste of time. Of course, we don’t call it “waste”; we use euphemisms such as leisure,” “relaxation,” “rest,” “recreation,” “vacation,” “spare time,” etc. to justify our pleasurable activities (laziness). We take time for granted, as if we have all the time in the world. Think about this: Once a minute has passed, whether it was used constructively or wasted, it can never appear again; it is gone forever in time and eternity. The consequences of wasted time are endless. Regardless, we make excuses such as "I just don’t have time to do this or that.” Then we have to hire out the things we don’t have time to do. That is just our lazy human nature kicking in. That laziness is neglect of responsibilities along with a waste of money, exercise, self-gratification, etc.

Then comes the waste of time by those who claim Jesus Christ as their Lord (boss). Why don’t the majority take time to share their faith? Some may say, "I just don’t have time,” or “I don’t know how to express myself." For those who don’t share their faith, the result is lack of understanding as to what our Christian duties are, along with a lack of understanding of many of the vital responsibilities which were handed down to us by Jesus Christ. How can genuine Christianity expand and become more loyal to Christ if we don’t spread the Word as to what we are experiencing (the vast benefits of being a disciple of Christ)? Then some will say, "That is not our duty." That is the grandiose lie of lies. Listen to what the apostle Paul has to say about sharing our faith: Philemon 1:6. "I pray that you [that means every Christian] may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ."

Most types of waste, especially waste of time, go hand-in-hand with laziness. Hebrews 6:12. "We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what was promised." “Waste” and “laziness” are two of the devil’s most deceptively hidden words; they get those who claim to be Christians to fall by the wayside. Waste and laziness are as addicting, if not more so, than many other destructive habits. These types of addictions are extremely difficult, if not impossible, to break.

To be an active Christian is excessively challenging, since our deceitful human nature—which we all love—is a tough nut to crack, because it has been with us from the beginning. There are not many aspects of the Christian life that are easy, because we must be obedient to all of Christ’s teachings, and there are many. Since most won’t hear that teaching from the world’s pulpits, as they take maximum effort to implement, how will anyone know what Christ’s teachings are if we don’t continually search the Scriptures? Unless we are extremely fortunate and blessed by God to belong to a church that is truthful in teaching our part of Christianity, I guarantee that we won’t hear it from the pulpits. To conform to that teaching is our part of Christianity, not for Salvation, but for confirmation of our faith and love, repeating, which is avoided by the majority of Christian denominations. The majority of their pleasant-sounding words do little more that butter us up for the kill.

Certainly, it is noteworthy to teach how great God’s love and all His other attributes are, along with all else He continually bestows on us. Volumes have been written on the greatness of God and Christ, and rightfully so, but that easy-to-listen-to message isn’t worth a pot of beans (a love message that will lead us straight to hell) without continually being reminded of our obligation to Christ: obedience, which validates our love for God, along with our faith and Salvation (our entire Christian life). Something to remember: God is the vitiator of His promises to us, but only when obedience is continually violated/ignored.

In short, there is no Salvation without obedience to Christ’s teachings. Repeating just one more time: That is exactly what the majority of "christian" denominations will never preach for fear of losing members and loot, which “is”—in the singular—since they can’t have one without the other—their quest.

Notwithstanding, the biggest wastes of all are “wasted lives” concerning all who live/lived their entire lives without becoming aware of their spiritually genetic potential; by their new birth, which Christ gives us, they can live as He requires by becoming powerful gods in the flesh (clones-of-Christ-in-the-making). This can only happen when we actively desire to be the very best Christians possible. God’s grace, which gives us life, does not accept mediocrity. According to Webster, mediocre means: "Neither very good nor very bad; not good enough; inferior."

There are no greater and more satisfying heights to be reached than becoming what we were originally created to be. I personally attest to that truth; the evidence is my life. As disciples of Christ, we are to display—by our lives, words and power—exactly what Jesus is like. Where is the Christian power? When people see us, they should see Jesus; that tells them that Christ really lived/lives. That is exactly what the lost world does not see, and is the main reason they see us all as dumb-dumb fakes who willingly believe anything and use it as a needed crutch to get through life.

Regardless of whatever grandeur those who lived wasted lives may have achieved on the surface, their lives will/did never totally satisfy. They are nothing more than eternal fuel for the fires of hell.

Now concerning the harm debt does to real Christians. Let us examine the depth of what it is to be in debt. People want or need something, but we don’t have the money needed to fulfill our desires. Someone is making a good living with the money we give them, when we borrow money to buy whatever. If we had to save up the needed money to buy whatever, it seems like it would take forever to buy what we really can’t afford; whenever someone borrows money to buy something, they are attempting to live beyond their means, and they in reality do not deserve to have something they can’t afford. That principle is unscrupulously voided by paying the lender interest and small payments which they can afford until—hopefully not—hard times come along. There was a time before 1920 when only millionaires could live like millionaires; now, with a good line of credit, any poor fool could live like a millionaire.

Paying interest is like putting money on a racehorse each month that can never win (a dead horse). When buying a home on credit, 90-some percent of your monthly payment for the first year or so will be interest. After making your house payment for a year, except for a few hundred dollars, your principle will remain the same. I have to say, borrowing violates all common sense of wanting the best for oneself. If one buys a new motor vehicle, by the time it is paid for, it is worth pennies on the dollar one originally paid for it (literally worthless).

The reason debts are against the good of the gospel is because of the upkeep, responsibility, care and the possibilities of worries which come along with whatever is bought on credit. They may seem to make life easier, but in reality they complicate it and make us slaves to our easy-does-it-technology, and most likely, they are devastating and rob time which is needed to fulfill our Christian duties. 1st Corinthians 15:8. "Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you . Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor is not in vain."

Material possessions most often own the possessor, because now, in one way or another, one is dependent on his possessions. So, who owns whom? Mark 4:19 says, "but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful."

That may be the reason the apostle Paul in Romans 13:8 says, "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellow man has fulfilled the law." The only debt we should have is the obligation to love (help) our fellow man/woman.

In ending, it is a crying shame that such seemingly innocent things as waste, laziness and debt can put us in a position where we, without knowing it, can be robbed and cheated of our eternal destiny with God. And guess who gets all the glory? Satan, that beautiful deceiver, to whom little things mean a lot. The depth of this seemingly simple post deserves serious lifelong pondering. Find aspects herein that are contrary to the New Testament teaching and leave a comment.

Friday, August 03, 2007

# 212: Is God Fair?

This will be the most challenging subject I have ever attempted to write about. When one looks at all the inequalities on earth concerning “Is God fair?”—the answer would be no. When one looks at all the hell many are going through, I again would say no. When one hears of suffering of all sorts, one would have to say no.

Is it fair when children and babies are abused by their parents for no reason at all, or when they are abducted, abused sexually and used as porn stars possibly for the rest of their lives? Is it fair when people are born with disabilities they have to live with all their lives? Is it fair when some are born in countries where everyone is poor and uneducated? Is it fair when many are born in countries whose major religion is ungodly and satanic? Is it fair when many are in jail because their parents did not teach them the right way, or they live in cities where crime is the only way to survive? Is it fair when children are born with deficient brains and are mocked for their stupidity? Is it fair for those who are addicted to drugs, either legal or illegal, because of a deficiency of some sort? Is it fair for those who are hooked on pornography to satisfy an unfilled sex drive? Is it fair when people are born ugly or with some other deformity they will have to live with the rest of their lives?

This list is endless as to the unfair conditions the majority of humans must endure. I ask this question: Since God knew about all these horrible conditions that would come upon this earth and since He claims to be a God of love and goodness, what right did He have to allow this hell on earth? I see no love in all these deplorable conditions.

I have heard many say, “Why did God allow this horrible thing to happen?” I mean things like the holocaust. I am an extremely tender- hearted, empathic person. As I write this post, I am getting mad. It feels as if I personally am taking the pain of these people. Then some may wonder why I can’t wait to leave this world. Also, it isn’t fair to make people like myself who have to suffer for the pain of others. WHY? I am writing these words with many tears.

Then the question comes up: What right do the many cruel and selfish people born with a super brain (far superior to the general population) have? They are the ones who take advantage of all who fall into their greedy clutches. What right do many have to either be born rich or get rich by wheeling and dealing or legitimate thievery, e.g. doctors, lawyers, ministers of mega-churches, CEOs of large corporations, property owners of large complexes, etc.? It seems the wicked and greedy are the ones who are being blessed—not by Almighty God—so they can enjoy easy carefree lives. And what is more unfair is that most of the younger generations go to college with hopes of getting rich, so they too can live off the fat of the land at the expense of the less fortunate. Something in this world is screwy like my uncle Louie. It just isn’t fair.

Listen to what Jeremiah, the Old Testament prophet, says as he asks the Lord a few questions: Jeremiah 12:1. “Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do the faithless live at ease? . . . You are always on their lips but far from their hearts.” There are more than a few verses in the Old Testament that tell the same story. Along with that, the Old Testament is abundant in describing the plight of the poor.

It seems no matter where a person is in life, the vast majority are being treated unfairly in one way or another. And then some have the naiveté to sing, “It’s a big wide wonderful world we live in.” No doubt there are a few who do have it made in every way and feel the world is treating them in a fair way, and therefore sing a happy song. But how long will it last?

As I look at the unfair ways the majority of us are under, what is God’s perspective on the world’s situation? Yes, to Him, it also is unfair. Some may ask, “Why doesn’t He do something about it, since He is a God of love?” Answer: God knew beforehand about all this evil and injustice in the world. But because it was imperative to give all humans free will, His hands were tied, as it were, preventing Him from doing anything about it. Oh, He could have destroyed all the evil-doers, but who is without sin? For more info., click on post # 166: “If I were God.”

If God continually looked on all the unfair situations in the world, without keeping in mind the blessed joys of the coming age for the few who are His, the pain would have killed Him—if that were possible. You see, it is impossible for Him to use any form of coercion to get some to believe and live as He dictates. Therefore, He had to allow this unfair situation (allowing evil to thrive) so that others would not be intimidated into doing things His way. What good is it to scare people into doing what is right so they can get to heaven? God doesn’t work that way. They must make their choice because of the love and goodness they create and desire.

There is some good that comes out of all this unfair evil in the world: A very few will say to themselves, “Is there anything better?” Then, and only then, some will start to investigate the Spirit world of God and of His Son Jesus Christ. One can see why those who have it made as to material prosperity, etc. would have little or no incentive to delve into the reality of God, other than in a superficial way to make themselves look holy.

With that in mind, God is fair to a few of those who are hurting and being treated unfairly by the world. Without their pain, they would have little or no desire or incentive to seek all that God offers. But that does little to ease the pain of those like myself, who share the suffering of those who are being treating unfairly by the vicissitudes of life.

Consequently, for me, having to unwillingly share the pain of others motivates me even more to speak the truth as told in Scripture, regardless of how much it offends and infuriates the hierarchy along with the laity who have been indoctrinated to believe all the holy bull preached from the pulpit. Then, hopefully they will put me out of my pain, as they did to the prophets of old, along Christ and the apostles. That is my holy grail. Is it unfair and selfish for me to want to leave this self-centered world? Leave a comment.