benighted (bi-NYT-id) adjective

1. Intellectually, morally, or socially ignorant; unenlightened.

2. Overtaken by night or darkness.

It is sad to me that by and large Christians are benighted about their own faith. Though listening to the “intellectuals” propound their theories and what not as Mel Gibson’s film opens, I can understand why. They rely far too much on their own thinking and not on God’s.

Once again history repeats itself. Christ himself condemned the religious leaders of his day because they got away from the scriptures and were teaching “the commands of men as doctrine.”

Man is still overly interested in his own thoughts, his own ideas of right and wrong, making up his mind as to what he should or should not do, instead of trusting in a Creator to help him. Which creates a vicious, vicious circle, because when man claims to follow God but acts under his own wisdom, and it is God who gets the bad rap when things turn out horribly. When God’s instructions are followed, they work for our good. I’m reminded of the fruitages of the spirit—love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness and self-control. Against these things there is no law. So every time we exercise these traits and someone tells us that we are mistaken or misguided because of doing so, who are we going to believe? God or man? On the other hand, the fruitages of the flesh include things like divisions, sects, drunken bouts, revelries, contentions—I don’t know these by heart, but I’m thinking that perhaps I should. Because maybe I’m not avoiding them enough if I don’t know what they are! These things are outlawed. But when a human says there are instances in which these things are to be exercised, who are we going to believe? God or man?

Given man’s track record I think I’m going to side with God here.

But at times that brings me under man’s criticism and condemnation. Yes, that’s true. But in the end, who can give me more? God or man? Whatever man may take from me, God can give back. After all, the contention as set forth in Job is that man will worship God—i.e. do things God’s way—as long as it is easy for him. But give him up a hearty helping of suffering along with this service, and the service will be abandoned. That was the contention. So all those who serve God in spite of ridicule or condemnation by man are proving the Slanderer to be the liar that he is. There are those who will do what God asks of them, even when it’s not popular. And they won’t take to the streets or seek vengeance for what’s done to them because of their integrity. They believe what God says when he assures them, “Vengeance is mine. I will repay.”

Not to mention the fact that I don’t want to be held accountable when God starts calling to account those who claim to represent him but who are really misrepresenting everything he stands for.

God is just. He balances his justice with wisdom (wisdom unlike any man can have), love, and power. He has the power to execute perfect justice—another thing that is beyond mankind’s ability. He exercises mercy to the degree that doesn’t infringe on what he has promised to those who love him—that is loyal love. When things rest in his hands they are done right.

So are we to sit back on our hands and do nothing in this time of turmoil and strife? Absolutely not. Our best course of action is to obey the example of Christ and tell others about what will finally bring an end to all suffering and pain in a permanent way, that being the kingdom that we are taught to pray for and to preach. But then we get into the realm of government, which in the end is really religion, isn’t it? Maybe that’s why we have such a hard time talking about either. The thing is when you start talking about a change in government, it makes those in power very, very nervous. Which again is history repeating itself, is it not? Interesting how this all falls back on itself, the past having set the example of what to expect in the present. God does a mighty educational work through his Word. It’s up to us to read it and learn what is really there, instead of relying on someone else to tell us what we should and shouldn’t believe in the name of God.