Wednesday, July 22, 2015

July 23, 2015

"Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth." I Corinthians 13:6

Truth defines what's right and it also defines what's real.

You and I were born into this world with a warped sense of reality. We arrived upon planet earth believing it was all about us. 

That reality worked for awhile until you ran into others operating under a similar reality. Then you discovered the reality of conflict. 

The tendency of the sinful human nature is to construct it's own reality, a world where I am in charge and answer to no one. Ask Lucifer or Adam and Eve about that.

Knowing what is right is a major first step toward knowing what is real but it doesn't guarantee you will get there. Lucifer lived in the glorious presence of God and still lost his grip on reality. Adam walked with God and talked to Him face to face and yet he lost touch with reality.

When being right doesn't keep you in touch with reality sometimes getting it wrong can clarify so things for you. Just ask the foolish son in the parable of the Prodigal about it. I imagine Lucifer and Adam each got a quick reality check as well.

Eventually, everyone will have a clear and simultaneous moment of reality when "every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord". Unfortunately, that will be a moment too late for many.

So how do you stay connected to truth, centered in what's right and certain of what's real?

The answer is at the end of this Chapter:

"Now remain these three, faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." I Corinthians 13:13

Faith keeps you in touch with reality because, "Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe He is and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." Hebrews 11:6

Reality is eternity. What you see, hear, touch, taste or smell is NOT real it is only temporary. What is more real, something that lasts for a moment or something that lasts forever?Eternity trumps the momentary every time! Faith understands that! Faith connects with the eternal God!

Hope facilitates faith in your life because "Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

Hope is the will to believe! Hope is the desire to believe beyond the limits of your comprehension. Hope is elevating the spiritual part of your being above the rational part because you are focused on eternity.

Love is the greatest reality because it is the one thing that will endure forever since it is at the very essence of God's nature! Faith is a powerful thing but there is a day when it will be rendered unnecessary. Hope gives strength to endure difficult days but when you enter into you eternal home you will not longer need to hope! 

Love is right and love is real and that's the truth!