The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness. Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him? Ecclesiastes 10:13-14
For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, Romans 1:21-22
The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all of this and were scoffing at Jesus. So He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is prized among men is detestable before God. Luke 16:14
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so My ways are higher than your ways
and My thoughts than your thoughts.
For just as rain and snow fall from heaven
and do not return without watering the earth,
making it bud and sprout,
and providing seed to sow and food to eat,
so My word that proceeds from My mouth
will not return to Me empty,
but it will accomplish what I please,
and it will prosper where I send it. Isaiah 55:9-11
The Christian institutions of ‘higher learning’ are seemingly always coming up with a ‘new take’ on the interpretation of the scriptures. Those ‘ideas’ often spawn new movements that ripple through the halls like… Restorationism, Reformationism, “Word” only, Jesus’ Words only, Calvinism, Arminianism, Dispensationalism, etc., and then the adherents of these new ideas quickly begin judging anyone who doesn’t agree quickly with their ‘new’ understanding. Out of this thinking and prideful stances spawn sects, tribalism, and denominationalism. Within the protestant movement it just spawns a ‘new’ splinter. Within the Catholic tradition a new ‘order’ is just started. This is why now there are over 350 different sects of just Mennonites, and numerous Baptists, and every other “denomination” or “non-denominational churches”. Someone in their ‘pride’ always begins to think that they understand God better than most, or at least “them” (the people they disagree with), and the division happens. Or the truly evil sees this human weakness and exploits it by the prompting of ‘forces’ outside of our ‘realm’ and a completely new religion is formed. (Joseph Smith) Division, hatred, lies, greed, and pride all currently sit in these man-made institutions. So… what do we have? What did Jesus leave us? What really is at the core of being a ‘follower and disciple’ of Jesus? Is it being an adherent to the formulas, or traditions, or ideals of the New Testament or is it something even more foundational that has to happen?
What exactly did Jesus say to look for? What did He promise?
So when they came together, they asked Him, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”
Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:6-7
Can someone ask the same question when it comes to the future timing of everything? And I’m sure the answer would be the same. Here’s the question… when does omniscience bow to the acts of humans? If God knows all BEFORE everything happens – how do our actions change His plans? Granted the ‘free will’ question comes into play. I will say this – God’s ways and thoughts are DEFINITELY beyond my understanding! I’ve made SO many mistakes and have enough scars to understand I will never completely understand Him. I’ll I know – is I need to listen to the Holy Spirit who indwells me. That’s the important thing for my life. My pride and ‘intellectualism’ just lead me down the wrong path EVERY time. Humility and surrender and agreement with the Holy Spirit ALWAYS improves my life. I am much more careful now not to be adopting a ‘new’ “Christian” movement or ‘view’ or what things really are. I now have to bring EVERYTHING to the Holy Spirit with questions and seriously wait for His instruction to me personally. Usually, the answer isn’t what I want, but He wants me to deal with one of my own deeply flawed character issues. And His instruction to me on these ‘big’ issues is usually to pray ‘in HIS love’ for certain specific individuals. His ways ARE very different than … mine. What He sees as important is WAY different than what I see as important. My human ‘folly’ is still very evident in me.
Father YOU are first! Jesus YOU are my example! Holy Spirit YOU are my Teacher! I want to KNOW YOU more!