We ended our last study with the question " who or what is our greatest enemy?" we will return to this question later but for now let us direct or attention to how God is popularly viewed. While many sincere christians admit that God is a God of love, truth and mercy there seems to be a dynamic inconsistency in relation to their view of God.
For example, most Christians attest to the fact that Jesus Christ died for our sins, but on the other hand they claim that God would strike down all opponents of His ways. Immediately we must ask the question. If God sent His son to redeem us or buy us back why would He now kill us if we don't obey? Why not not offer His Son if He knew that we would sin?
Furthermore, some well meaning individuals attribute to God acts of violent destruction that cause extensive loss of life. They claim that since God is all powerful He could have prevented these occurrances but chose not to. This false reasoning has made many individuals unbelivers and athesists. It has added ammunition on the side of unbelief for opponents of the Gospel.
This view and popular tradition has taught us that retaliation is the only normal response to agression. Some parents, peers and adults encourage this type of behaviour but what does the bible say? "for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires." (James 1:20, NIV) Anger and retaliation are opposite to God's ways. Additionally, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9, NIV)
God's ways are opposite to mans ways and his thoughts are infinitely beyond ours. Therefore, our finite minds cannot understand God apart from the aid of the Holy Spirit. We must resist the urge to attribute to God the ways of man and humbly seek Him through his word with the promise "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon." (Isaiah 55:6-7, NIV)
God's ways are opposite to mans ways and his thoughts are infinitely beyond ours. Therefore, our finite minds cannot understand God apart from the aid of the Holy Spirit. We must resist the urge to attribute to God the ways of man and humbly seek Him through his word with the promise "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon." (Isaiah 55:6-7, NIV)
Our greatest enemy then, is our own understanding of God that keeps us from a fuller and sweeter relationship with Him.
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