
For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths. – 2 Tim. 4:3-4
In some way, we have all been in a situation where we really don’t want to hear or accept the truth. So, we look around for someone who agrees with us, will minimize like us, justify our behavior, or allow us to feel good about ignoring reality.
Our culture does an amazing job at blurring the lines that God has drawn; these lines, created to bring us life and freedom, the world calls limiting, ignorant, bigoted, unreasonable, impractical, or just plain wrong. So, with the hope of being able to do what we want, when we want, with whom we want, whenever we want, our culture says to ignore any outside counsel or source of wisdom, and just “go with your gut,” “follow your heart,” “if it feels good, do it,” and on and on and on. But the more we embrace the philosophy of this world, the more blurred the lines get, and the more the truth is so much harder to find, and listen to.
This societal blurring of the lines is nothing new. This is why Paul had to remind the believers in Rome not to conform, imitate, and take on the attitudes, customs, and behavior of the society around them, but to seek God’s perspective, and allow Him to change their thinking. Political correctness and the desire to not have our culture, social media, and relationships think we are any of the critical and negative things listed above, make it so tempting to allow the lines of truth to be blurred in so many areas. Some of these areas are things like drinking, drugs, attitude, sexual behaviors, absolute truth, gossip, lying, and more. All are things that a culture not seeking true life from God believes will bring them freedom.
Recently there have been shark sightings and encounters at our local beaches in California. The lifeguards have been on watch, letting people know when and where it is safe and when people need to get out of the water. The limits, boundaries, and restrictions are meant to bring life; to keep people from harm. But the limits, boundaries, and restrictions are also meant to bring freedom! When I go to the beach and am in an area that has been deemed safe, I can enjoy the water and have a good time without having to look over my shoulder, questioning whether I should really be there and be nervous about what could happen to me. Alternatively, as I decide to go with my gut, trust my feelings or not allow anyone to restrict what I want to do, I venture out into water that is dangerous and I am actually less free to live as I want to live because now I do have to worry about what is around me, what could harm me, and I end up living less free than I ever wanted.
But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” I want that veil that blurs the lines of truth to be removed. I want to see how God sees, and be where He calls me to be. It will mean denying myself, and daily taking up my cross to follow Him, but I can live in the assurance of LIFE that He has promised, and the freedom to find joy, not based on my own attempts, but as I allow Christ to be my strength and my guide. – 2 Corinthians 3:16-18
I want the veil that blurs the lines of truth to be removed. I want to see how God sees and be where He calls me to be. It will mean denying myself, and daily taking up my cross to follow Him, but I can live in the assurance of real life that He has promised, and the freedom to find joy, not based on my own attempts, but as I allow Christ to be my strength and my guide.
