We know that in trying to set the record straight, we probably created more controversy than we actually resolved and more questions than we were able answered. We wanted to correct a misrepresentation involving “the nature of God” as well as the misunderstanding and confusion surrounding “the sovereignty of God” and “the will of God.” We realized it would not be an easy task given the fact that the Church for has perpetrated the misrepresentation so long that it has become a natural part of the religious culture and given the limitations of the formats we were using. Social media is a great tool to reach the world with the good news of the gospel, but the limitations associated with many social media platforms limit the amount of information that can be conveyed at any single given instance.
There is so much information to tell, so much information to share, and still so much more information to find, so much so that unless you connect with all the information at one time, a lot of it gets lost in the interim. As we have stated in another commentary, we need to understand that the Bible is a mystery book with many secrets, hidden in plain sight just waiting to be found by God’s children. As one person put it, “The Bible is a coded book, written as a kind of jigsaw puzzle creating a series of smaller pictures within an overall picture that only becomes clear in meaning when one properly pieces together all passages on a subject.” It is only when we find the keys that we able to unlock the mysteries or put together the puzzle pieces that allow us to understand the true word of God contained in the Bible. Next, we need to trust that God has given instructions, that when followed, will allow us to find those keys that will help with our understanding of those divine revelations from God. God has told us to seek wisdom and know-how (Proverbs 4:5-7), to listen carefully to his words and to pay close attention to what is being said (Proverb 4:20-22), to meditate on them day and night (Joshua 1:8), and to study so that we can rightly divide the word of truth (II Timothy 2:15) as part of the things that we need to do.
We must open our mind and open our heart so that we may see and hear the truths that God is trying to reveal to us through his Spirit and his workers. We may have to do a little work in order to find truth and understanding, like stepping outside of or climbing over the walls of traditionalism or denominationalism that have keep many in bondage, but in doing so, we can remove any confusion, enabling us to grasp the meaning of all of the things of God. It has been said, “A closed mind can only grow within the limits of its enclosure; an open mind grows with endless possibilities.” Not long ago, we discussed “The Characteristics of God, his nature, his character, and his personality.” Among the many things mentioned in those commentaries, we were able to completely sum up God as a god of integrity,” which we discovered had absolutely nothing to do with the capabilities of God, the abilities of God, or the sovereignty of God.
In those commentaries, we mentioned the following passages, “there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts” (II Chronicles 19:7), that “God changes not” (Malachi 3:6), and that “it is impossible for God to lie” (Hebrews 6:18). We noted that these passages did not speak to or have anything to do with God’s capabilities, his abilities, or his sovereignty. One cannot argue the fact that the God who created all things that are, surely has the ability to be unfair, immoral, unrighteous, and to do evil and bad things. He also has the ability to change anything that he chooses to change, especially his mind, if he chooses to change it, as well as the ability to lie, if he wants or chooses to. God is fully capable of doing anything he so chooses, but the God that we serve, the sovereign God of all creation has chosen not to do any of the abovementioned things because he is “a god of integrity.”
As we asked before, imagine serving a god who was unfair, immoral, unrighteous, and did evil and bad things; or serving a god who had respect of person or whose favor could be brought for a price; or even serving a god who constantly changes his mind or one whose mind could be changed at all. No, it would be very difficult to serve a god who did any of these things, because you would not know what to do from day to day to have any kind of relationship with him. Yet, there are some who have attributed these very traits to the God they claim to serve using the redefined “sovereignty of God” definition. Regardless of his capabilities, his abilities, or his sovereignty, God has chosen not to do certain things that would bring into question his integrity. This is why our God has chosen to be “the One of integrity.” He wanted his children to be able to recognize him over all others purported by traditionalism, denominationalism, and the doctrines of man.
We forever give thanks to God for this avenue that he has given us to share his word. We also thank God for this inspirational message he has provided to us and pray that they are a blessing to you. We continually pray that the eyes of your understanding be enlightened so that you may know the hope to which God has called you. If you are blessed by any of our devotionals, please share so that others may be blessed as well. Amen.
Enjoy your blessings - KW
No comments:
Post a Comment