life is a test

I saw a Charlie Brown cartoon where Charlie Brown says that he stayed up at night wondering if life was a true or false test or a multiple choice until one night a voice came and said, We hate to tell you this but life is really a 1,000 word essay.  Those were demonic voices that Charlie Brown heard and they lied.  The Bible tells us that life is not a 1,000 word essay but rather a true or false test. A test to see who we choose to believe is telling the truth.. 

Do we believe  the words of the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY... the GOD of truth or do we believe the persuasive, tantalizing, pleasure seeking voice of the devil who is the father of lies?  One way to know whose voice we are hearing,  is the content of the message. For instance does it allure (remember lures are to catch fish), entice, tempt, accuse, mock, cause division, demand my rights or contradict the WORD of GOD?  Those are ways of the devil not of GOD.  Although the devil  might use scripture in his message, he will twist it to deceive and turn us from the truth. Remember, he turns himself into an angel of light 2 Corinthians 11:14  pretending to offer truth but puts GOD's revealed way as lacking/ incomplete.

On the other hand what GOD says HE will do, HE tells the truth.  In Proverbs 3:5-7, John 7:17, James 1:5-8 we are told that if we go to HIM and humbly ask, willing to follow HIS instructions, HE will lead us in what to do. That does not mean we will understand the way HE is leading us (for HIS ways and thoughts are as high as the heavens above ours Isaiah 55:8-11 but always achieve what HE wants done.); but HE will lead us and keep us from being deceived by the lies of the devil in that situation.

NOTE: it is a daily, sometimes moment by moment coming to GOD for answers… it is not once for all.

The only thing that once for all is what JESUS accomplished for us on the Cross. Hebrews 10:10,12,14 NASB …We are sanctified  through the offering of the body of JESUS once for all….   But when HE had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, JESUS sat down at the right hand of GOD… because with one sacrifice HE has perfected for all time those who are being made holy. 

I have said some things that help us recognize the devil, now I want to mention 3 basic things true about GOD (of many) that you will find as you read through the Bible.

Truth is that which corresponds to reality.  Yahwey, the Maker of heaven and earth is the GOD of truth and cannot lie. Psalm 31:5, Titus 1:2  Therefore anything and everything HE says is true. HE is faithful to HIS word;  if HE wasn't we couldn't trust HIM.  GOD gives promises and then says over and over and over again.. I will not break nor alter the thing that is gone out of MY lips.  Ps 89::34, Numbers 23:19 Ezekiel 20:14b, 24:14, 36:36b  If it seems like HE has lied,  look deeper and ask the Holy SPIRIT.  For if it looks like GOD lied,  it is because we don't have all the facts. Somewhere in the Scriptures there is a fact that explains what HE has done. For when GOD says something HE will do it.

#2 is something difficult for us to comprehend, but nonetheless true of GOD. GOD knows all things past, present and future.  HE knows the end from the beginning and everything in between.  That means HE even knows what we are going to say and do before we say and do it. And HE knew all the things HE would ever do (that includes answers to prayer) from the beginning of the world Acts 15:18.  That is how HE could rest on that 1^st 7^th day from all HE had made. Genesis 1:2  HE had already decided what HE was going to do.  This is seen over and over in the history book of the Bible as GOD interacts with man.  I saw it again this morning as I read in Genesis. This  instance is seen with Abraham Genesis 18:19 when GOD says that HE knows how Abraham will teach his children therefore GOD acts in a certain way.  It is also seen in how GOD invites us to co-labor with HIM to reveal HIS nature to the principalities and powers (angels) Ephesians 3:10, Genesis 18:19-33  by placing HIS desires in our hearts Philippians 2:13, Deuteronomy 30: 11-14  That does NOT make us puppets for just knowing that someone will say or do something, does not make us responsible for their choice to say or do it.  GOD doesn’t take away our choices; what HE does do is plan according to them.  NOTE: if GOD did not know all things, something could come up to unsettle HIS plans. If that was the case we could not trust HIS promises.

The 3^rd and last thing true about GOD I want to mention today is HIS total power.  GOD who created all things and has set up the standards and the laws of nature.  HE is Judge of all.  Yet, HE cannot be judged by any for all created beings are limited in knowledge and power. 

Yahwey… the Great I AM is the source of everything.  HE is the source of all power.  HE gives power to whom HE chooses and takes it away from whom HE chooses. Psalms 75:6,7, Daniel 4:17 No one has an ounce of power without GOD delegating limited power to him.  Never does one with limited delegated power have any power over the source of power-GOD.Romans 13:1 …HE (the Creator of heaven and earth) does according to HIS will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth and no one can ward off HIS hand or say to HIM, “What have YOU done.” Daniel 4:35  If anyone could keep HIM from doing something, that one is stronger than GOD

 

The LORD could not guarantee the end result if HE is wasn't in control.  If something we do can keep HIM for doing what HE says HE will do...HE cannot guarantee the end result.....  If HE cannot guarantee the end result,   we cannot trust that HE will come for us or give us eternal life free from sin and troubles.   (because if something we could do could stop HIM from achieving what HE wants done,  the battle was not won on the cross and  it waits to be seen who will win the war.)  To say of think that is blaspheme for that is calling GOD a liar!      

There are many questions  in this life and the grade point (rewards we earn) is determined in who we choose to follow in certain instances.  But the pass or fail is determined on just one question… Do you believe JESUS CHRIST is the Son of GOD and  died for your sins?  For you see, he who believes on the SON has everlasting life; but whoever rejects the SON will not see life, for GOD’s wrath remains on him John 3:36. (because he is still in his sins only faith in JESUS removes sin.)

Do you have the SON?