God is God, Deal With It (Or, How You Must Obey God No Matter What)

 Isaiah 55:8-9 (KJV)

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

I regularly get emails about Reddit's subreddit "r/exchristian", where former Christians talk about their experiences in the modern church, mostly in the fundamentalist camp (close to the truth, but usually aren't).  That, or they seriously read the Bible, and reject the faith because they see God as cruel by human standards.   Now, God being cruel by human standards is correct.  Yet, God doesn't operate on human standards, as the above Scripture text says.

Anyway, here's an example I wish to share with you.  This is from Reddit user rampskater:

I was similar. I specifically recall a section about the Ark of the Covenant, and if anyone touched it, they would die. While it was being transported, a man trips, falls against it, and dies. Paraphrasing the conversation that followed...

Me: "Mom, why would God allow that to happen? That guy is helping God and didn't do anything wrong."

Mom: "Well, it could have been to set an example for others that God was telling the truth when he said not to touch it."

Me: "...but they were already not touching it. They were doing everything he said, including killing other people, so why let this person die as an example when they were already doing things far worse than touching a box?"

Mom: "..."

The Scripture text rampskater is referencing is 2 Samuel 6:6-7, which reads:

2 Samuel 6:6-7 (KJV)

6 And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it.

7 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.

Uzzah's violation is found in Numbers 4:15, which reads:

Numbers 4:15 (KJV)

15 And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.

What rampskater failed to realize is the following:

1. You MUST obey God, no matter what. (Deuteronomy 13:4, for example)

2. The Israelites killing other people is not sinful, because God commanded it, and because it was not of murder.  If you're a soldier at war, it is no sin for you to kill the enemy, if your commanding officer commands it.

3. Uzzah was not helping God by disobeying Him.

4. God had every right to kill Uzzah, because God is God.  (Also see Deuteronomy 32:39)

So, back to what I previously said:  Is God cruel, by humanity's standards?  Yes.  But humanity's standards don't matter.  God, creator of humanity, is God.  His ways, and His thoughts, are higher than yours.  

Job 33:12-13 (KJV)

12 Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.

13 Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.

Deal with it.

Quick Exposure of Abeka

What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

(Rom 9:14-18)

I was going to do an examination of the christian organization "Acquire The Fire", but I couldn't find much about them.  However, what I did find was this snippet from the christian homeschooling organization "Abeka", which in their section "What We Believe", reads:

"We believe that salvation is a free gift of God for all mankind, and God does not pre-elect persons to heaven or hell."

This is a lie.  God does pre-destine all people to either Heaven or Hell.  In fact, let's continue the above Scripture:

Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,

(Rom 9:19-23)

If anyone needs clarity, let me show you the ESV:

What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills. You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory—

(Rom 9:14-23)

God can create any kind of destiny He wants for each and every human being.  God creates people "fitted" or "prepared" for "destruction" (Hell), and He creates "vessels of mercy" before prepared for "glory" (Heaven).  God predestines people for Heaven, and He predestines people for Hell.

Abeka is teaching heresy.

(Now, a disclaimer:  While I do believe in predestination of the saved and the damned, that does not make me a Calvinist like the Westboro Baptist Church.  Calvinism is heresy, because for one thing, they believe in the "limited atonement" lie, saying that Jesus only died for the elect.  Jesus died for ALL. (Hebrews 10:10) )

There are other things in their statement of faith that is suspicious:

Salvation is received only by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work.

Faith in the work of Christ is a part of faith in Christ Himself.  The above statement adds to the Word of God, for nowhere in Scripture does it tell you to have faith in "His finished work".  (Acts 16:31, Proverbs 30:6)

For the purposes of Abeka’s doctrine, practice, and policy, the Board of Directors is ultimately responsible for interpreting the meaning and application of Scripture.

If Abeka were truly Christian, the correct meaning of Scripture would be agreed upon by ALL BELIEVERS, for all true believers would have "one mind" (Romans 15:6, 2 Corinthians 13:11, Philippians 1:27, Philippians 2:2, I Peter 3:8).  As for the application of Scripture, correct me if I'm wrong, but that can vary based on circumstance.

    

What Are "The Affairs Of This Life"?

2 Timothy 2:4 (KJV)

4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 

This is another one of those Scripture verses I have been wrestling with for quite some time, and this teaching has come up again while I was at work.

A few days ago, I did a foolish thing.  I applied to many game shows.  My excuse was that I wanted another adventure, with the added possible benefit of winning enough in prize money to cover the trip (which in game show terms isn't much, probably around $1,200).

Today, I received an email from one of the casting companies behind a show, encouraging me to apply when the contestant application was online (prior to this, all it had was an e-mail, casting told me that they were doing maintenance on the site).

I wrestled with the idea of trying out.  You see, the show was to be a spin-off of the show "Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?"  This was really tempting since I am a school custodian, seemingly a perfect fit!  

Yet, part of me felt that this was wrong.  Now, in and of itself, appearing on a television program and winning prizes is not wrong (I won a sizeable prize at a trade show last summer).  But honestly, why are you doing it?  Game shows have the egregious appearance of greed (indeed, that was the very name of one such program!), and can easily fit this verse in Scripture:

1 Timothy 6:10 (KJV)

10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Even game shows themselves admit to this.  On the very first episode of Jeopardy in 1984, in the category THE BIBLE, the clue read "According to I Timothy, it is the root of all evil."  The contestant correctly responded, "What is the love of money?" to which Alex Trebek concurred with Greg Hopkins on the emphasis of "the LOVE of money".

But, back to Fifth Grader:  There were other obstacles in the way, which in retrospect, I made excuses in my mind for:  Despite me being the only custodian in the building, I still had personal days, which are specifically used for personal business "which can be most properly conducted during school hours", says the district handbook.  Also, despite me looking very unprofessional by going on some fun thing, Fifth Grader might make the school district look good!  (Such a foolish excuse was similarly portrayed in the film Quiz Show, when the producers convinced Charles Van Doren (and Herbert Stempel) that participating in the quiz show fix would be good for the cause of education.)

One thing I haven't yet done:  Prayed.  I made a quick prayer in the office, and an amazing thing happened:  I felt a sense of calm and relief!  I interpreted this as God showing me the outcome of deciding not to participate in this program.  Again, this was my interpretation, but it was consistent with other times I have been involved in life's affairs.  Once they were over, I was similarly relieved.

Later that evening, out of curiosity, I went back to 2 Timothy 2:4.  I looked at the Commentary section of e-Sword which contained the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.  The TSK is simply a resource where you can find linked verses that speak of the same topics.  So I followed the TSK of that verse, under the word "entangleth".  Here are the Scripture texts that were listed (I'm using the ESV here for clarity):

2 Timothy 4:10 (ESV)

10 For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.'

Luke 8:14 (ESV)

14 And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.

1 Corinthians 9:25-26 (ESV)

25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.

1 Timothy 6:9-12 (ESV)

9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.

10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.

12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

2 Peter 2:20 (ESV)

20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.

With all this, it has become crystal clear.  Typically, Christians have no business going on game shows, or being involved with any kind of worldly affairs (that are not mandated by Christ that is, good works, letting our light shine in the world, etc. are always mandated).   Worldliness chokes the Word of God, which leads to unfruitfulness, which leads to Hell.

Now, the title of this piece is called "What Are "The Affairs Of This Life"?" As in, how are such affairs defined?  

Honestly, I don't know.  In my personal experience, any worldly enterprise that requires a long-term investment of time, energy, and resources is certainly an affair of this life.  Say I wanted to start a fantasy football league.  Why would I want to do this?  Does this advance the kingdom of God?  Or is this just for me?  In my opinion, such pursuits, if they are for yourself, are a waste of time that I would have to answer for on the Day of Judgment.  Correct me if I'm wrong.

Let's see, another example...worldly business ventures, perhaps?  One example I can recall:  There is this movie company called Legion M where fans can invest money in exchange for shares in their company.  The company, lauded by luminaries such as William Shatner, seeks to give fans more power and control over the studio.  Again, what does all this have to do with following Christ?

I guess the key word here is "entangleth".  Indeed the Greek word for the KJV phrase "entangleth himself with" is literally defined as "entwine".  So, to watch television would not be an entwining.  Attending a folk dance would not be an entwining.  These are one and done events, not requiring further investment.

(Some may say, what about getting married?  I Corinthians 7 covers that concept well.  It is no sin, but can be distracting in your walk with Christ.)

All this fits with the concept of not being attached to the world.  In fact, I Corinthians 7:29-31 says it well:

1 Corinthians 7:29-31 (ESV)

29 This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none,

30 and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods,

31 and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.