06/18/2020
There is a difference between faith, and imagination. Both dwell in our minds, but faith springs from trusting the Word of God, and the gospel of Jesus Christ, whereas imagination is founded on fantasy, and the concoctions of our own mind. Some who say “I am a Christian“ are guilty of folding the two into one way of worshiping as they seek what is easy or pleasing to them in God’s will, while imagining the hardships and suffering to be useless, and not of the Lord.
“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”
Proverbs 19:21 ESV
Nothing has damaged the souls of men more completely than when we’ve interjected our own imagined thoughts into the Word of God, and thus fashioned for ourselves a new way of believing. When we see something as good, or bad, but there is no scriptural truth to found it on, and we accept it, we are walking with filthy shoes on Holy ground. When we tie our whims to God’s Word, and will for us, we are in danger of losing our souls, and the souls of others. Furthermore, placing stipulations for salvation on men based on our own imagined impression of right or wrong, and attempting to put our words in God’s mouth, could cause souls to be lost for eternity, and we will bear the responsibility for that on our shoulders at judgement.
“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.”
2 Peter 2:1 ESV
Sadly, we can Also imagine scenarios in which certain real sins that God speaks directly to us about in His Word, are no longer sinful. We can allow what is easy, pleasurable, or gratifying for us to overwrite God’s Word in our minds, and on our heart. We label these things with names such as white lies, socially acceptable, Robin Hood crimes, the evolution of faith, and so many other dark titles, but when seen through the lense of God’s Word they remain sin. There is no justification that man can make which overcomes the nature of truth presented by God.
““See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it.”
Deuteronomy 30:15-16 ESV
Thus, if we adhere to God’s Word, and open our hearts to the gospel of Jesus Christ, then we walk into a promised land, But I f we concoct imagined truths and call them the true Word of God, then what awaits us is altogether different...
“But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess.”
Deuteronomy 30:17-18 ESV
So beware of what we might imagine as we consider our faith, and also be fearful of the imagined fantasies, and convenient “Truths?” of others. Lean solely on the Holy Word of God, and let no one strike a word from it, or convince you that it is made to be debated. We are meant to be transformed by His Word, and to judge our lives, and faith, by It... we are not meant to judge God’s Word by our own whims, thoughts, and propensity to ignore sin.
“And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.”
Matthew 24:4-5 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your Holy Word that guides our lives, and faith. Thank you for your Son Jesus whose life presents your truth to us in flesh, and blood. Thank you for your Holy Spirit who helps us to understand, and obey, your will by applying your Word to our lives, and who increases our faith. Transform us by your Word, and through your Son Jesus, teaching us, and not allowing us to challenge a single Word as we face hardships in serving you. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God of steadfast truth. Glorious are you who is unchanging in nature, and whose plan for us is good, and forever perfect. We praise you in every joyful moment in our lives, and in the midst of every pain and suffering that leads us closer to you. Have mercy on us Father when our imagination attempts to make our paths straight, and our way easy, when you have made them to be curved, and hard. Forgive us our sins, and open our eyes to those we have committed through imagination, justification, and our human desire to remove all personal hardship, and sacrifice, from doing your will. Hear our prayers of contrition Father, and forgive us, intercede for us Jesus, and instruct us Holy Spirit, as we struggle against our own longings and imaginations. Help us to follow the Word of God, and obey His will for us in everything we do... now, and forevermore.
“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live,”
Deuteronomy 30:19 ESV
Rich Forbes