WAY THAT SEEMETH RIGHT
Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Mankind alone, out of all of creation, has been given a free will. All of the beasts and creatures, plants and elements, function from instinct and the laws of nature. Man alone has the power of choice. God said in Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
As we read on in the book of Genesis, we see that all God created was GOOD. God gave man dominion over all creation, with one restriction. Genesis 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
We are all familiar with the account of how the serpent deceived Eve, and she and Adam ate of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. The method that the serpent used was deception.
In Genesis 3:4-5 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. Deception involves using TRUTH in a twisted way. God said if you eat of this tree you shall surely die. The serpent said, "you will not die, but will be as gods." Indeed, man did die... a spiritual death in that he was separated from God. He was cast out of Paradise for his disobedience. He was separated from the place God had given him; he was separated from all the benefits of a paradisiacal life. The very ground was also cursed, so that now man would have to struggle to make an existence all the days of his life. This is the result of the exercising of man's power of choice. This is the result of taking a Truth of god and adding a twist, or a different meaning than God intends. Removal from God's presence... becoming as dead to the life they were created for... instead of having dominion over the earth and all that it contains... to having to struggle just to survive.
From Genesis through Revelation, the entire Bible is a record of things that have been and things that are still to come. Of men's and women's experiences in life, and how God deals with man. God tells us what He desires to give us and bring us into. We have record after record of fallen man's rebellion and refusal to believe and obey. Today, we are no different than earliest man. We face the same struggles, we have the same opportunity offered us. And like everyone who has ever lived before us, we have freewill and the power of choice.
This power of choice is indeed, 'Godlike'... for we determine what we will accept and what we will reject. Ultimately, no one is responsible for the choices we make but ourselves. Adam said, "but the woman you gave to be with me gave me of the tree and I did eat." Each one of us have our own excuses and places to try and lay the blame for our disobedience. But just as Adam and Eve learned, there are unavoidable consequences and results for disobedience.
Sometimes those things which men most highly esteem as being advantageous are actually the most detrimental. We seek to cultivate great intellect, to accumulate knowledge and understanding in all areas that pertain to life and this world. We have sent men into outer space and landed on the moon. We have great universities and theological schools where we train our brightest young people to carry on the business of our government, educational systems, medicine, law, religion, etc.. We believe ourselves to be very enlightened and advanced beyond any who have gone before us. We have attained these accomplishments through the use of our reasoning mind.
We have social values... which can be altered and changed to suit society's whims. We often tend to be quite puffed up with our own great achievements. This is all carnal. These things are all limited to this physical world... all obtained by the efforts of the flesh. Today, mankind has reached the apex of passing the buck and shirking responsibility for their own actions. It is a rare thing today to find any one who is accountable for their own conduct.
Each age and generation has had their own struggles and hardships to overcome. We are all in a fallen condition, separated from God. The more we grow in the strength of our natural reasoning abilities, the further removed from God we become. Today, whatever you choose to believe, you can find a religion to fit with your belief choice. Man has chosen to make religion cater to his whims and imagination, just as he has established control and dominion in other realms. What does God have to do with all of this?
Absolutely nothing.
This has been the way of man from the beginning. It is contrary to everything in man to submit to a higher authority, especially one that is invisible. We are entirely separated and cut off from God. We cannot come near to or find God by any of our own efforts. God must initiate contact. He is the potter... we are the clay. "No man can come to the Father, except the Spirit draw him." We will never dictate to God what to do or how to do it, no matter how many people you hear trying to do just that.
What we have freely chosen to believe and how we act on our beliefs will be the determining factor in how we survive in the days ahead. We need to bear in mind, that when Jesus compared us to sheep, it was for good reason. It is much easier to be a follower than a leader. It is much easier to go with the flow, cave in to popular opinion, than to take a stand for what you believe. It is in the nature of fallen man to compromise, more than to stand apart. From our earliest childhood we are taught to "get along"... to be "nice"... to "behave properly."
We have all inherited the traditions passed down through our families and cultures. These are things that we seldom examine... they are just the way things are. They are 'normal' and accepted. They are all part of the way that seemeth right to us. Problem being, that what is normal and accepted in one culture does not necessarily transcend in the same way to other cultures. What is normal in one household may be totally unacceptable in another household. This applies to the natural world and social order, but it also applies to the spiritual world and the Household of God.
When we are genuinely born-again, we have been born into God's household and just as a child must grow up within a family unit, we must also grow up spiritually. We must learn how to function in God's family... what are the rules of the House? What is acceptable behavior? Our parents placed requirements on us as we were growing up. We placed requirements on our children as they were growing up. What do we know about God's requirements of us... now that we are members of His family? What will bring reward and what will bring rebuke?
Man's attempt to answer these questions has been to formulate all of the many religions we see in the world today. In the broad scope of things, men have interpreted the Holy Scriptures, they have made rules and regulations, they have created rituals and ordinances to govern and control the followers. In many instances they have created their own gods, their own concepts of spirituality and eternity, heaven and hell. Today, spirituality is a virtual smorgasbord of beliefs. Modern man can and does pick and choose according to his own desires, what religion he will follow, and what level of commitment will be involved. Modern religious institutions likewise, are adaptable and alter their beliefs and requirements to conform to social changes and keep their memberships happy.
Some time ago, I heard a man who is prominent in the media declare on national television that he found it incredibly arrogant to say that out of all the religions in the world, believing in Jesus Christ was the only way to heaven. His sentiments are widely embraced by the majority of the world today. He and many like him would be greatly offended by the words of Christ, as in Matthew 11:27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
No exceptions...
No special considerations...
One Way.
Is it any wonder that so many are offended?
We here in America like to call ourselves a Christian nation, based on Christian ideals. As a nation, we are anything but Christian... we hold much more resemblance to Sodom and Gomorrah.
As a nation we have single-handedly fulfilled this passage in 2 Timothy 3:1-7 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
If you found this assessment offensive, then I suggest you read "An Apology To The Nations" by Bryan Hupperts. We would do well to discover how we appear to others. It is not enough to be satisfied with our own 'goodness,' but is beneficial to be able to see how others perceive us, both as a people and individually. And most importantly, we should be extremely concerned with how God sees us. Are we pleasing in HIS sight? Consider if you will what Jesus said in Luke 6:26 "Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets."
Many today are firmly entrenched in their denominational enclosures, firmly convinced that they have the answers and hold the truth, while all outside are in error. We have all been born into the 'great falling away.' We have all been indoctrinated (brainwashed if you will) to believe that our leaders are correct, and those with other points of view are misled. When we recognize that there are literally hundreds if not thousands of denominational groups, with sects and divisions within each group, it is mind-boggling the number of people who are all convinced of the same thing, that what they hold as light and truth is correct, and all those of a different persuasion are in error. I highly recommend that you read "Coming Up From The Religious Wilderness" by Cheryl McGrath.
It is obvious that we cannot all be right, and highly probable that we all are full of mixture. This is offensive to say the least, and we should be offended. My earliest memories consist of sitting on a Church pew. I fully believed that I was being taught to believe exactly the same way as the Apostle's. Finding out that what I was taught was full of mixture, although temporarily devastating, was nothing short of God's redeeming grace to this child. I pray that we can come to the realization that regardless of how we feel or what we think... our physical age has absolutely nothing to do with our spiritual maturity. Churches are full of people who have faithfully attended and supported their Church for their entire lifetime, and yet are still spiritual infants.
They may be revered as saints by their peers, but they have never grown up in Christ. They may hold Church offices as Deacons or Elders, but have no knowledge or understanding of how to walk with God. This is a sad state of affairs. That we can spend our entire lives following the teachings of men, and yet never go to the source. We never learn firsthand, what it really means to be a disciple of Christ. We never know what it means to take up our cross and follow HIM. We can talk about Jesus all the time, we can sing songs and teach lessons, but all we ever actually give to God is a tiny portion of our time and attention. We settle for the form without ever demanding the substance of a relationship. There is a "way that seemeth right unto man"... it is fully approved and widely employed, yet it falls far short of God's desire and intent.
In this hour, there is a separating work going on. Many feel and see it, but few understand its implications. We all come to God with our own baggage. We all have life's experiences, things we have learned that have shaped and molded us into who we are today. All along the way we have made choices. Seldom do we comprehend the significance of some of these choices we make.
Some people are heavily indoctrinated with religious beliefs, while others are worldly wise but have no real religious exposure in their past. I sometimes wonder if the latter don't have an easier time when they come to Christ, as they do not have as much to let go of (unlearn if you will). Our greatest enemy is not the devil, as is widely assumed; our greatest opponent is our own SELF. Our flesh in all its glory... our own reasoning mind, is where the real battleground lies. Logic and carnal reasoning will never comprehend spiritual things. Romans 8:7-8 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
We "think" that we know so much. We "think" that we have the answers to life's problems. If others would just listen to us, we could tell them how to turn their lives around. We have some understanding, and some knowledge, but we never fail but to see ourselves as being farther along than we really are...
1 Corinthians 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
God is doing a separating work. This is that He might have a HOLY people... A people whose loyalties are undivided. Do you recognize that if you are following a man, your loyalty is divided? Does that sound too harsh for you to accept? Act 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. If we would learn the rules of God's household, meeting the conditions that must be met, then we will be accepted. Nineteen times in the New Testament, Jesus said "Follow Me." Not once did He say, follow any man... no matter how wise or anointed or charismatic he might be. We have no shortage of men and women today who would be teachers... 1 Timothy 1:5-7 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
And the people listen to them... because they do not know the Word of God for themselves. They have not been told that there is a price to pay, that they must take up their own cross, that they must die to their flesh and live by the power of the Spirit of God. They are like sheep without a shepherd. And the wolves are "not sparing the flock."
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
It is all about a personal relationship people. It has nothing to do with all the religious trappings devised by man. In Church... out of Church... in any nation around the world, the same invitation is offered. What will we do with God's precious gift? Will we believe God... or man?
John 5:43 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
There is no other way that we may be saved. Only the Holy Spirit can teach us. We can all greatly benefit from insights shared by anointed men and women God has used through the centuries, but we still have to "press in" and know Him for ourselves.
Ephesians 1:18-19 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power
We need to have our spiritual eyes opened, and our spiritual understanding must be enlightened.
Eph 4:17-19 ...that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
We have a choice in this life, ignorance is not going to be an excuse.
Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
If we would know the truth, it will cost us dearly. Yes, salvation is a free gift from God, but walking in it will bring death to self. In our own strength we can do nothing. We cannot keep even the least of Christ's commandments in our own strength. Our flesh will raise its ugly head every time. Anyone who has tried to "turn the other cheek" knows this to be true. In the same measure, anyone who has picked up their cross, and submitted to the crucifying of their flesh, can tell you that the cost is insignificant compared to the knowledge of Christ that they receive in return, and can say with Paul...
Philippians 3:10-16 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
He goes on to warn of those who are imposters...
Vs.17-21 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an example. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
For us to gain the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, our carnal life is a small price to pay. To be granted entrance to the household of God, is something that we could never merit or deserve, it is all God's grace and mercy.
I see the infighting over doctrinal differences taking place among believers today, and believe that it grieves the Spirit. We all see through a glass darkly... we all have our understanding colored by the traditional interpretations we have inherited. Man has never rightly anticipated anything that God has done. May we remember, that knowledge puffeth up (makes one proud, haughty), but love edifyeth (builds up, confirms) [1 Cor.8:1].
1 Corinthians 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? We all have our own level of understanding, we all hold our own interpretations of Biblical prophecies concerning the unfolding of end-time events, but let us be very careful before we throw disparaging remarks on a brother or sister in the Lord because their viewpoint is different than ours. If you have grown in the Lord at all, you will have to acknowledge that your own viewpoint has had to make some adjustments already, and there may well be more coming your way, to bring you into full agreement with God's viewpoint. And let's face it, HIS is the only point of view that matters after all is said and done.
In the 24th chapter of Luke, we read the account of the Risen Christ as He appeared to certain ones following His resurrection. In Luke 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures. This is what we need from our LORD in this dark hour. We desperately need to have our understanding opened.
None of us have arrived as yet at a perfect man... we all still have room to grow. Jesus could just as easily turn to some of us in our walk and say what He said to Peter... "Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offense unto me: for thou savorest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men"...and wouldn't we be shocked? We are striving to press in, but we may be guilty of the sin of 'presumption'... thinking that we are in possession of more than we really are. Before we bash another's beliefs, let us make sure that we are also guilty of walking in love toward one another...
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another" John 13:34.
"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" John 13:35.
There is a "way that seemeth right"... and there is the way of the Cross.
What way will you choose?
Amen & Amen
Cathy Morris
2/19/2008
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