THINKING STRAIGHT

Thinking Straight

"Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown." Rev 3:10-11

"The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God. They have all turned aside, They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one. Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge, Who eat up my people as they eat bread, And do not call on the Lord?" Psalms 14:2-4

"Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." 1 Cor 6:11 (NLT)

Idolatry. Few of us know anyone who worships birds or snakes. Forms of idolatry may have changed, but human hearts have not. Some claim science has driven a stake into the heart of the "god delusion." But blindness to the knowledge of God leaves mankind in the dark about himself.

Foolishness. Without the light of God, we could not answer the basic questions of life. Where have I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going? How can I find happiness? Is there life after death?

He made them male and female. Eve was a companion- counterpart of Adam. The male/female principle extends throughout Creation. Having suppressed the truth of God revealed in Creation, man now suppresses the truth about himself. Male and female is meant to be fruitful and life-giving team of a man and a woman.

Approving of sin. "The rejection of God is not the end result of a clear, logical, innocent, pursuit of truth or the end result of human progress, It is a decision of the human will; it is voluntary blindness." Herbeck

Wake! "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light." Eph 5:14

Man is free to choose God or to reject Him. Man is free to "create" his own worldview and way of life. But, man is not free to avoid the consequences of his own decisions.

The Mind of Christ! In the face of Jesus, Paul saw for the first time, the truth about his own life. In the "washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:5) Paul came to see the "secret and hidden wisdom of God" (1 Cor. 2:6-7). God's mercy was a gift (Eph. 3:1-7)!

New beginnings.

"I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself." Eph 1:19-23 (NLT)

Honor and praise.

When the church is being the church, we will find a spirit among people that honors and praises the Christ of the Gospel. If honor and praise is not present, something is wrong. Also, we should find character that is Christ-like.

"If you want a happy life and good days,

keep your tongue from speaking evil,

and keep your lips from telling lies.

Turn away from evil and do good.

Work hard at living in peace with others.

The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right,

and His ears are open to their prayers.

But the Lord turns His face

against those who do evil."

1 Peter 3:10-12 (NLT)