1Timothy 6:20 O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid irreverent, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of so-called “knowledge,” 21a, which some have professed and thus swerved away from the faith.
Niall Breslin, known as Bressie, said, “The sense that we are wearing a badly fitting suit in a life that doesn’t resemble who we are, is not a dysfunction. Perhaps that’s the cost of performing our life rather than living it.”
The depth of thought and resolution of heart that we need at this time of global dysfunction is going to take more than fridge magnet philosophy to come through the psychological depression many are experiencing. It’s going to take more than pithy sayings and memes to create the resolve that we need to rise and become healed of heart. We need the wisdom of God to be at the forefront of our minds and dwelling in our hearts more honestly and profoundly than I have seen in my half-century of walking with the Lord. The world has normalized chaos, removing the common-sense foundations that were once solid social stepping stones under our feet. We have been left feeling as if we are walking on unstable ground, with constant warnings of impending tremors. Every imaginary idea, whether good or evil, is prattled about and stated with self-righteous conviction as if what is being said is of the lost knowledge of the ancients, when in fact so much of the so-called knowledge is created by poorly programmed bots.
Is there anything left in this world that we can sink our inner beings’ existence into? What real soul food is out there that will not deceive us into becoming glowing members of a cult or become entangled in a spiritual Ponzi scheme, because there is no profound substance left to choose from? In this new world order, I’m supposed to believe that every person’s views are relevant and contain the answers to life. I’m sorry, but there are a lot of stupid people out there with views on everything they know nothing about. We have heard the saying, Great minds think alike, but fools seldom differ. The issue is that the fools who seldom differ are setting the standards in many parts of social structure, and for some reason, the wisdom needed to overcome the foolishness of the times seems to be in short supply. Psalm 14:1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; they have done abominable deeds; there is no one doing good.
We cannot heal what we refuse to accept and acknowledge needs healing. We are surrounded by a smorgasbord of religious persuasions and secular dogmatic ideologies to choose from that confuse those looking for help from a supreme being. Our philosophy and belief in Christ is not written like a Quranic or a Catechismic (if I can make up a word) book of rules on how to serve or die for a religion, but rather we die to self so that we may serve our living Saviour who already gave His life for us at the cross. Eph. 2:8 For by grace you⁺ are saved through faith, and this not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one may boast. Salvation does not come from our good works and ritualistic activities. Salvation is a holy gift that is for all of mankind who accept what God the Son did for them.
Man’s ways of salvation are many and mercurial in nature, because they are built upon whatever is trending at the time. From sacrificing chickens soaked in whisky to inviting an angelophany experience, man will try to make anything work rather than submit to the living God. Anything to escape the yoke that Jesus asks us to put on so that we may walk together with and in Him. Matt. 11:30 For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light. Manmade religion and sometimes the Christian faith can become rote and insipid when approached with the attitude of an automaton. If your heart is not in your belief in Christ, then what’s the point? We do not want to become debaters of right and wrong just for the sake of talking, because that is what the world does. The garrulous talk and talk, but resolve nothing of substance to trust in. 1Tim. 6:20 O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid irreverent, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of so-called “knowledge,” 21a, which some have professed and thus swerved away from the faith.
There is a difference between freedom of religion and freedom from religion, which is the mix-up taking place in the hearts of many. This has created a milquetoast effort at spiritual commitment and a lukewarm approach, which allows a person a way to avoid all religions. This pseudo philosophy gives people the excuse they need to believe in nothing. What this has done is create a new set of rules to avoid God’s set of rules. The issue that is not registering with these modern-day seekers is that the true and honest wisdom of the Lord can only be received from God the Holy Spirit. 1Cor. 2:14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
As the writer of Ecclesiastes says, “Let us consider the conclusion of it all.” Solomon was a king anointed with God’s wisdom, and he saw a lot of foolishness or dare I say it, he heard a lot of fridge magnet philosophy, and he called it what it was. He said that much of what man comes up with is foolishness and nonsense. Solomon brought the key issue out in these few sentences. Eccl 12:13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil. Throughout the Gospels of Jesus Christ, the Lord says in many places, “I say unto you!” If Jesus Himself is speaking to us, we would be wise to listen. Mary said to the stewards at the wedding at Cana, “Whatever He says to do, do it!” The Lord’s Word brings life, and if you want life, then walk in the spirit of His life-giving Word. This is the conclusion of the whole thing: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.
Priceless.