"These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 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." - 1 Corinthians 2:13-14
Sin blinds the natural man from understanding spiritual truth. The disparity between what is right and acceptable by the world's standards and our faith and Biblical truth has become increasingly obvious in these days. I say "obvious" because the disparity has always been there - just not so glaring. We live in an age of instant information, when someone can sneeze in China and a person in New York will say "Gesundheit" or "God Bless You". Christianity, in the U.S, in particular, has become politicized. It is not viewed so much as Theology, " the study of the nature of God and religious belief" - but as an Ideology, which is "a system of ideas and ideals, especially one which forms the basis of economic or political theory and policy".
Frankly that is the best the world can be expected do in understanding who Christians are. What we say we believe and the way we live (or should live) is considered to be foolishness to "natural" man - those who are not born again by the Spirit of God through faith in Jesus. That is assuming that the way we live is consistent with what we say we believe. When it is, we open ourselves to justifiable criticism from the world. Too often we live a Christian-like life that is an amalgamation of Biblical Truth and worldly wisdom.
"If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." - John 15:18-19
Our faith is offensive to those who hate God. So, what to do. It's simple really. Embrace the Truth. Live by Faith. Love God and love others. Resist the Devil. Put on the Full armor of God. Every day.
"You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light, who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation." - 1 Peter 2:9-12
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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