And my righteous ones will live by faith. But I will take no pleasure in anyone who turns away.” [Hebrews 10.38]
Faith in God is contrasted here to turning away.
The fact is, Christians today don't really turn away from anything. Instead, they simply say, "God gave it" (as if that makes it okay) making no distinction between what is God alone and what is the work of man's hands or ingenuity (man's way). Consequently, the idols of mankind, debt, insurance, medicine and technology, have become the largest industries in the world with full support from God's people. Instead of turning away from the idolatrous sources of numerous sins, "Christians" categorize those sources as "gifts from God" futilely trying to overcome sins woven into the very fabric of the idols from which they refuse to turn away. It's like trying to dry off in the shower with the water still running.
THINK: If everything man has made is indeed a gift from God as so many "Christians" purport (debt, insurance, medicine and technology), and the opposite of faith is turning away from God, what is it then that Christians actually turn away from today in order to turn to God?
Should not the fact that the industries of debt, insurance, medicine and technology all present their benefits through advertisements that depict alternate lifestyles (and other less than holy circumstances) alert us of their idolatrous ulterior motives? Only slight understanding of the Bible reveals that idolatry, more often than not, involves sexual deviation. Idolatry is turning away from God.
Should not the fact that the industries of debt, insurance, medicine and technology all present their benefits at a price - binding people to interest, premiums, prescriptions and their own covetousness (keeping up with the 'latest and greatest' gadgetry) alert us of their idolatrous ulterior motives? How can one effectively turn to God when they are bound to something else?
For the record, nowhere in the Bible does it say, "God helps those who help themselves." Instead, Jesus clearly refutes the very idea of helping our own selves:
“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)]
Any reliance we have upon ourselves ("our own way" including our ingenious inventions and systems) is effectively turning away from God. God takes no pleasure in anyone who turns away.
How far do we take this?
If we intend to be a "follower of Christ" walking in the distinguishable power of the Holy Spirit that Jesus promises and commissions to those who actually "believe" (in contrast to abstract, powerless faith) then we will do whatever is necessary: we will take it, as Jesus said, "to the cross." The miraculous resurrection power of the Holy Spirit is simply not available to anyone who has not given up their own way, taken up their cross, and followed Jesus. Could this explain the often emotional but overwhelmingly powerless Church today? There is only one way we will ever know...
The point is, everything in today's One Year Chronological Bible reading about Jesus being our High Priest, is of no consequence to any person who has turned away from God and remains turned to themselves, their ways, and the idols of this world.
Father, You have always required a conscious decision of people to turn away from themselves and the world in order to turn to You. You are requiring a conscious decision of us today... May we look at the facts for what they are and consciously decide to trust You - distinguishably turning away from ourselves and our ways, and thus, distinguishably turning to You. May we genuinely live by faith in You alone. So be it.
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