In the world we hear such things as “Don’t get mad, get even,” or “If you don’t look after number one, nobody will.” And if there is no God to whom we must eventually give an account (Hebrews 13:17), and if there is not a day in which every wrong will be righted (Isaiah 40:4), and if there is no-one who loved us and gave Himself for us, then this makes perfect sense. But theses things are true and God does exist, and there is a wisdom that is greater than the wisdom of the world, but it is spiritually encoded. I am thinking of the verse “the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14).
The Pharisees “believed” in God, but when they did their good deeds and their prayers before men to be seen of men (Matthew 25:5-7), they in reality exhibited a practical atheism. What I mean is that when they did this, then for all practical purposes they operated as if God is not a rewarder of those who diligently seek and serve Him (Hebrews 11:6). And of course they have already received their reward (the praise of men Matthew 6:2). And when we conform to the world in similar ways, we too are exhibiting practical atheism, and we must not think for a moment, that that does not affect the way we think, and the way we are able to receive spiritual wisdom and revelation. If we think that, then we are fooling ourselves in the same way the Pharisees fooled themselves. The point is, that we suppress the truth (and wisdom and knowledge) in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18).
Even in the world there is a wisdom (but it's not widespread), that tell that it is good to endure short term pain if it produces long term gain (getting a degree for example)! And in terms of eternity, and if the dead are raised, then it makes sense that Paul would fight with beasts at Ephesus (1 Corinthians 15:32), and that some of the heroes of the faith would not accept deliverance “that they might obtain a better resurrection” (Hebrews 11:35). What I am suggesting this morning, is that if we do not live our lives in the reality that we must all give an account of the deeds done in the body, or like the Pharisees if we do them with wrong motives, then our Father who sees in secret, will not reward us openly, we will not advance the Kingdom, and we will not unlock the spiritual encoding of the Spirit that enables us to understand the deeper truths of God (1 Corinthians 2:10).
Father, we are trinity body, soul and spirit, so that what we do in the body, and why and how we do what we do, all this affects every aspect of our being and of our knowing. And I am guessing that this is why You command us to love You with all our hearts, minds, souls and strength. Because only as we seek to do this, and do it this way will You unlock all the treasures of and wisdom and knowledge that are hidden in You (Colossians 2:3). So search us again this morning Lord, to see if there be any wicked way in us, and lead us in the everlasting way in Jesus Name Amen
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