The ‘world’ (the powers and people of God’s creation that attempt to discredit, reject and ignore His truth and love) is rebelling against the sovereign rule of God. Genuine Biblical Christianity is not only unpopular in the world today, it is being ferociously and openly attacked. Why! Because it stands in direct opposition to the lies and lusts of the world. This rebellion, and the associated attacks against God and His Church, are primarily focused on the Bible – the Word of God.
Christians look outside of themselves and into the Word of God for His truth.
- Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.
Those opposed to the Word of God look inside themselves for self-justification.
- Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.
The world is out to destroy faith in the Bible.
The world believes that:
Discrediting the Word of God Makes the Bible a Book of Lies!
Science, philosophy, religion – the intellectual pursuits of man are used to invalidate the truth of God’s Word. The depraved heart of man turns God’s truth into lies and man’s lies into truth.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.
- The Bible teaches us that the Word of God is absolute truth. The Bible was written by men that were inspired and directed by God. His Word is a wonderful gift to us. To discredit the Word of God is to set a trap of deception. The Bible correctly answers the fundamental questions of life. Where did I come from? Why am I here? What happens when I die?
The world believes that:
Rejecting the Word of God Makes Christianity a Joke!
Go ahead and make fun of me behind my back – or even to my face. Call me stupid or foolish for my faith in Jesus. But don’t make the Word of God the target of your irreverent humor.
- John 12:48 He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.
- The Bible teaches us that the very Words the world laughingly discards will be the standard by which everyone will be judged. Rejecting truth is no laughing matter.
The world believes that:
Ignoring the Word of God Makes Forgiveness of Sins Unnecessary!
‘If it makes me happy, it must be OK.’ ‘I am who I am, don’t try to change me.’ ‘Live and let live.’ ‘I’m a good person, just look at all the nice things I do.’ ‘I am certainly better than him. Did you know that he ________?’ Setting our own standards is a great way to feel good about ourselves. We can easily obey our own rules – and if not, we can just change them. Who needs forgiveness if they never do anything wrong?
- Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
- The Bible teaches us that every single person falls short of God’s standards, requirements and restrictions – His Law shows us our sin. God is a righteous Judge. To avoid the eternal condemnation that results from breaking His Laws, our sin debt must be paid in full. Forgiveness of sin is absolutely necessary.
The Bible often uses light as an analogy for life, truth and righteousness. Likewise, darkness often represents death, lies and wickedness.
- John 3:19-20 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
Jesus Christ is the light that has come into the world. He gave His life to bring eternal life to all who follow Him.
- John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”
As His ambassadors, those who follow Jesus shine His light into the world. Christians live for Jesus to bring glory to God.
- Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
If you are rebelling against God’s truth and love, why not go straight to the source – talk directly to Him through prayer about your questions, complaints, concerns, frustrations, disappointments, etc. If you truly and deeply want to know the truth, He will reveal it and Himself to you.
- Matthew 7:7-8 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
When God reveals Himself to you,
Prepare yourself to be humbled!
The rebellion will be over!!
Prayer
Dear Father, there are so many that try to discredit, reject and ignore You. I pray that you will open their minds and hearts to Your truth and love. For those who are genuinely seeking truth, I pray that you will reveal Yourself to them. Please do what only you can do – turn a hater of God into a lover of God. I humbly ask this in the name above every name, Jesus Christ. Amen.
