But the LORD hurled a powerful wind over the sea, causing a violent storm that threatened to break the ship apart. [Jonah 1.4]
Now, everyone knows God doesn't control the weather! Right?
Then the crew cast lots to see which of them had offended the gods and caused the terrible storm. When they did this, the lots identified Jonah as the culprit. [Jonah 1.7]
Now, everyone knows casting lots is merely random chance! Right?
“Throw me into the sea,” Jonah said, “and it will become calm again. I know that this terrible storm is all my fault.” [Jonah 1.12]
Now, everyone knows that Jonah being thrown into the sea wouldn't make the storm stop! Right?
Then the sailors picked Jonah up and threw him into the raging sea, and the storm stopped at once! [Jonah 1.15]
Now, everyone knows that it was purely coincidence that the storm stopped when they threw Jonah overboard! Right?
Everyone also knows that you can't pull money from a fish's mouth, walk on water, raise the dead, make the blind see or the deaf hear, speak to a tree and make it die, tell a storm to stop, or feed thousands with only a few morsels of food! Right?
As much as humanity wants to explain everything with science, math and reason, and, as much as the Church wants to say, "God doesn't work that way anymore," does anyone really believe in the supernatural today?
Secularized (educated) society believes in nothing but science, math and reason. In fact, the Church has become just as secularized. And yet, Jonah and the men on the boat genuinely believed God was in control. Otherwise, Jonah would never have suggested he be thrown overboard and the crew would never have done such a thing.
Jesus also believed something "fantastic." He believed that if He allowed Himself to be crucified, He would rise up from the grave. Everybody knows that's just not possible! Right?
And yet, so convinced were Jesus' followers that they too, who had also performed miracles themselves, submitted themselves to tortuous martyrdom in His name. Explain that!
God either controls everything, or, He controls nothing. What say you?
Regardless what the Church teaches and preaches today, in the end, when the storm seems it simply will not stop, the Church concedes that science is in control. This fact is evident when well-meaning people say,
"Well, you tried to believe God for your provision, protection, healing, or convenience... but we all know God gave us debt, insurance, medicine and technology, so, it's okay to rely on those things as long as you give God the credit." [Most Christians today]
For starters, such a statement is a slap in the face to Jonah, the men on the boat, to Jesus, and every Christ-follower who has ever been martyred, who put life on the line for what they believed - whether they received deliverance or died!
Don't believe me! Believe the Word:
How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. Women received their loved ones back again from death. But others were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection. Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground. All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. [Hebrews 11.32-39]
None of the passage above can be explained with science, math or reason.
The indictment upon the Church today is not so much that they turn to the idols of debt, insurance, medicine and technology, but that they ignore 'Who controls the storm' that requires the services of these idols. Consequently, repentance is all but non-existent in the Church and its message today.
If we truly believe God controls everything, then everything has a reason for us to understand. Nothing is by chance. Jonah's storm had a specific reason! Jesus' Cross had a very specific reason!. Every circumstance we face today also has a reason. But, the industries of debt, insurance, medicine and technology all tell us otherwise using highly advanced science, math and reason to explain circumstances - even the randomness of chance! But what does God's Word say?
Everything remedied by debt, insurance, medicine and technology can be found in Deuteronomy 28.15-68 as curses for disobedience (much akin to a storm overcoming Jonah for disobeying God). Repentance is the only remedy for disobedience. This applies in New Testament times as well, as faith in Christ can only follow repentance. Believing in Christ means turning away from the world and its ways and turning to follow Him (see the bold part of Hebrews 11.32-39 above). Repentance means to turn away.
But if we do not believe God controls everything, then repentance loses its importance. Consequently, people "of faith" today attach little effort to repentance and then wonder why faith is so unattainable.
Every circumstance should be viewed as it pertains to the presence or absence of God's blessing. Yes, God's Word and His Holy Spirit guide us to obedience, but circumstances confirm when He has been ignored. We must also understand that the presence or absence of blessings applies not only to individuals, but also to families, groups (like churches), cities, states, and nations. As a result, repentance is often necessary at a corporate level. To simply "thank God for debt, insurance, medicine and technology" to remedy individual or corporate woes is to miss a most critical opportunity to repent.
Yes, Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law (Galatians 3.13), but that benefit is reserved ONLY for those who in repentance and faith forsake all and follow Him (Matthew 16.24).
However, if we do not recognize curses for what they are (like Jonah's storm), there is no way we will respond correctly. God controls everything.
This is not an exhaustive discussion of this topic, but it is a start. We should each consider the whole of God's Word (which will be an increasing revelation) as we navigate the circumstances of our lives. But, we must start somewhere, and it starts with understanding that God (Who is good and only wants good for His people) is in control of everything! Everything is at His disposal to accomplish that!
God controls everything.
Father, I admit there is much I do not know. But, I know this: You are good and You only do good (Psalm 119.68). May I have the good sense to evaluate every circumstance in which I find myself and respond accordingly in thanksgiving for blessings and REPENTANCE AND FAITH IN CHRIST for curses. May I be found faithful to declare this truth when this applies to my family, church, city, state, or nation. I know You control everything! So be it.
No comments:
Post a Comment