Jesus' words in Matthew 23:29. In response to a catch question to the local religious leaders. But I think it's true for many, many people today. Which is why they have no time for God - they don't use the Bible to turn vague ideas into truths. Too much trouble! No incentive! But look at the trouble we'll take in selecting our friends, the things we buy, the jobs we go after... And the stories about Jesus' power over nature, to heal and raise the dead remain? Well, they're just that - stories. Nice to hear but to really take on board? Probably not.
The Power of God
If the man next door could calm a storm, that would catch your attention wouldn't? More than that, I'm sure, like me, you'd be pretty scared. Just as Jesus disciples were...
39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
41 They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”
Matthew 4 39:41
Here's a sermon dealing with the challenge to us all to acknowledge the power of Jesus.
Knowing the three persons of God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Jesus' other point in Matthew 23 was lack of knowledge.
Here's a good post which deals with this. 8 Misconceptions About God...
When you don’t truly know what scripture says about God, you can justify just about anything in the name of Christianity.
But there’s an answer to this: a close, educated, and careful reading of scripture will begin to reveal what has been obscured. Reading each verse with the context in mind—who is speaking, who is being spoken to, and what historical environment they’re in—will go a long way toward helping you find the truth of God’s character.
Here are the misconceptions he discusses...
- “I can’t believe in both science and God.”
- Because all truth belongs to God, the findings of science are not a threat to Christianity, but an ally—science simply reveals more and more of God’s creation.
- John Lennox, Professor of Mathematics at Oxford has a number of videos showing that Science supports the existence of God (e.g. The REASON We Exist & Scientific PROOF Of God )
- “God is like us.”
- Realize just how different God really is, though, and you’ll find faith far easier to come by.
- “God wants to ruin my fun.”
- God created us and is all-knowing, and so He knows what behaviors are good and bad for us in the long run. Scripture helps us to home in on behaviors which are good for us, and avoid those which are bad. Otherwise, God wants us to enjoy life!
- “God will solve all of my problems.”
- The truth is this: God gives us no promise of happiness, health, or financial security in this life. Our treasures, rather, lie in heaven, as Christ proclaimed in His famous Sermon on the Mount.
- “God is male.”
- But he loves you like the best mother your could ever imagine.
- “I know exactly what God wants.”
- Of all the misconceptions about God, this may very well be the most harmful. A sense of pathological certainty regarding His Will can give us license to do whatever we want in His name—no matter how selfish or hurtful... Stay teachable, and God will speak to you.
- “God supports my political party.”
- It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking God backs one political party or another, but this type of thinking is in error... God is God.... God supports no political parties—He supports righteousness and love. Vote accordingly.
- “There’s no way God exists in a world full of suffering.”
This is the question that eats at the heart of many Christians, holding them back from a close relationship with God. Fortunately, there’s an answer to be had, and it lies in two words.
Free will.
God didn’t allow the temptation of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil in the Garden of Eden just so that the first humans could bring about the fall of creation. In the tree, He gave them a gift: choice.
Adam and Eve were free to choose God’s rule or their own. And despite the consequences, they chose their own rule.
CS Lewis puts his explanation like this...
“God loves us, so He makes us the gift of suffering. Through suffering, we release our hold on the toys of this world, and know our true good lies in another world. We’re like blocks of stone, out of which the sculptor carves the forms of men.
The blows of his chisel, which hurt us so much, are what make us perfect. The suffering in this world is not the failure of God’s love for us; it is that love in action."
Final words...
Knowing God takes time, humility, and a teachable spirit. But as you grow closer to Him through your studies, you’ll find that the Fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, and self-control—will manifest in your life and personality.
That’s one of the major ways in which God touches the world—through you, and His Church. Get to know God properly so that you can truly represent Him on earth.
These words certainly apply for my life. But I know I've still got a long way to go!
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