Saturday, May 27, 2017

May 28, 2017

Have you ever noticed that the Bible doesn't spend any time arguing for the existence of God?

From the first sentence of Genesis to the last words of Revelation, God's existence is assumed.

So, why then would anyone doubt that God exists or that if He exists He is Who the Bible says He is?

I want to suggest two primary reasons: the desire to be in control and the desire to sin without consequences. If there is no God I can be in control of my life and not have to answer to anyone for what I do. That is a powerful delusion. That delusion (nice euphemism for a lie) is the main culprit for the mess we presently find ourselves mired in.

This deception actually predates mankind. Lucifer was the first to fall prey to its lure:

"All your pomp has been brought down to the grave, along with the noise of your harps; maggots are spread out beneath you and worms cover you. How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the "stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High." But you are brought down to the grave, to the depths of the pit."

According to Revelation 12, one-third of the angels bought into his lie and were cast out of heaven with him. If the delusion of control and sin with no consequences can deceive the very angels of heaven, you can understand how powerful it is.

In Genesis 3, we see this deception spread to mankind when the serpent pitched it to Adam and Eve and they bit. This is a powerful delusion.

In Romans 1, we see the spirit of atheism and spiritual independence has become widespread and we see its destructive effects.

"The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen."

It is crucial that you understand the power of this deception and the chaos it has created in our world. Here are several reasons why:

1) You need to flee to God's truth and cling to it lest you be deceived. Are you hiding God's Word in your heart?

2) You need to understand how we got into this mess and why it is not likely to get better until God's people stand against it in truth and holiness. Have you surrendered your control issues to the Holy Spirit?

3) You need to know how to pray for those who are slaves to this deception. Have you prayed for God to send the Spirit of truth to deal with your deceived friends and loved ones?