Good Morning!
Man, am I seeing a wide variety of birds this year. I really enjoy the birdfeeder I have outside my office window. God sure makes some cool creatures!
Yesterday, we learned that Jesus is the only reconciler between God and man, and our job is to serve as ambassadors for Jesus so that others may, too, be reconciled to God our Father. The problem is that not everyone will be reconciled.
Why not? Because we choose to believe a lie.
Romans 1:21-22 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools.
It gets worse. Not only do we make a conscious choice to worship anything other than the one true and living God, something else comes in to play.
2 Corinthians 4:4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
Long story short, we do not see God for who God is. We completely miss the glory of God. We refuse to see it. We know it’s there because Paul is clear in Romans 1:20, “So they are without excuse.”
This brings to mind the whole idea of respect. It is commonly held that to be respected one must earn it. I disagree. Completely. Oh, sure, we all have the obligation to act in ways that are worthy of respect, but that cannot “earn” anything. Take politicians for example. Half the people “respect” our (any) President, the rest don’t. All this depends on our political affiliation. Generally, it is rare that someone will truly respect someone that thinks differently than they do. Furthermore, it is also clear that we turn a blind eye to “disrespectful” behavior of “our” candidate.
My position is that we “grant” respect. Whether or not someone is respectful is of no concern. Respect is a decision that can be acted on.
What does that have to do with my problem? Remember, my daughter feels I have expectations she cannot meet. While I feel, overall, that I do not give my approval based upon merit, it will do me little good to try explaining it. It will only be received as mere lip service. She is looking for action.
That puts me in a bad spot. It puts any of us in a bad spot. We don’t receive the benefit of doubt. We are fighting from a position of weakness. Furthermore, if we, as parents, are to be the example of our heavenly Father, then we have spiritual problems as well. Our children choose not to honor us – whether or not we are “honorable”. Furthermore, the god of this world blinds their eyes.
We’re still defining the problem by surveying the battlefield. More to come.
Father, keep working on me. Amen.
Copyright © 2018 Scott Powers
This is so true! And how we all struggle with the issue of respect! Of course, it all begins with respecting God first. We need to pray for people whom the enemy has blinded to God’s truth because God can draw even the most blinded to Himself. Look at the Apostle Paul and Zacchaeus who was a rich tax collector. Jesus says it is very hard for a rich man to enter God’s kingdom, but the Father gave him a hunger, When Zacchaeus climbed the tree, he was looking down at Jesus, but the Lord shepherded him to a lower position. Just by spending time with him, He brought him to repentance. It’s stories like that which inspire me with faith to pray for even the most stubborn, hard hearted people. Thanks so much for sharing this article.