“Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters….” [Isaiah 55:1-2]
I have long since come to the conclusion that [for the most part] it is impossible to carry on genuine communication with certain individuals. I learned from family upbringing; personal experience and through various academic endeavors, that communication is a two-way street. I can converse [talk] or correspond [write] but no matter how clear and concise that communication may be, there are often the pitfalls of disconnect.
I may be genuine in my desire to communicate something as the "Sender," but the person on the "Receiving" end, may either be too busy to listen or, when attempting to comprehend my sent message, may be entertaining a whole different worldview. Even in the best of family relationships, proper (sent and understood) communication, often goes awry. I suppose, that in itself, is a very good reason to keep on conversing and continuing to listen. Serious and successful listening takes time, and one's attention. What often kills good listening skills are umpteen distractions, which, at times, are legion.
As a parent I taught my young children the little "dittie," -- "Learn to listen so that you can listen; so that you can learn." [I even put this short sentence to a tune and would sing it to them]
A major root reason why non Christians cannot "hear" and understand what is being communicated, by some Christians and the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures:
Christ had one world view. And that view all revolved around himself. [John 18:36-37 ; Colossians 1:13-20] Christ stated this certain reality when he told the crowd:
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." [Gospel of Matthew 7:13-29]
In the Gospel of John, Chapter 10, Christ offered a clear and concise explanation of what that "gate" [door] was all about. In fact that "Door" was clearly explained by Christ, to be Himself. [John 10:7 ; John 14:6] He is the very entrance (door) to life eternal as opposed, to death eternal. [Luke 16:19-31 ; Matthew 25:31-46]
The soul that follows the Christ of history will naturally, be misunderstood and persecuted:
Present day culture is rife with political correctness and expressions of multiculturalism that war against not only common sense, traditional morality, but that which is, of, Christ. [Romans 12:1-2] The God of all human history allowed Himself to be born; to live a perfect life; suffer; die and rise from the dead for His creation. [Philippians 2:5-11 ; Romans 14:9] He never was, nor is, confined by the perimeters of sinful culture. Christ did not offer rose colored eyeglasses to His followers. Although He promised them heaven for their belief and commitment, [John 3: 14-21 ; Matthew 7:13-29] they were warned that they would suffer and be persecuted because of Him. [John 15:18-25 ; 2 Timothy 3:12]
Those who are Christ's are under the influence of His Divine Revelation:
Those who are genuinely Christ's disciples, will have no qualms as to His role in human history. [Colossians 1:13-20] Neither will they be swayed by the culture that attempts to make them less than rational. With the global proliferation of news "on the spot," I witness sinful culture's inbreeding. In a desperate attempt to make "man the measure of all things," the masses are being beguiled with the embrace of pseudo science. "Evolution" is their false god of process. Their reception of this wild belief [partially] justifies for them an unproven flawed and false system of persuasion in which they think they can escape the Triune God of human history. Why be beholden to Creator God and His Ten
Commandments when one is the product of primeval chance? [http://www.icr.org/] They will go out of their way to avoid the Triune God, at all costs. [Romans 1:18-32]
Friend, if some of the above describes you -- and if you cannot begin to conceive what I have communicated -- I can, as a Christian, understand. The Scriptures talk about the blindness of unbelief. [2 Corinthians 4:3-4] They also describe the inability on your part to clearly see and understand Divine Revelation. [1 Corinthians 2:14] But, by all means, don't let that discourage you. Do whatever you can to listen to this true God of which I have been describing. [Romans 10:17] Your soul is too much of priceless worth for you to turn a deaf ear.
Amen.
Note: The above message and related Scriptures (below) may be utilized in: "A Suggested Format for Home Worship"
This Sunday’s Message, Related Scriptures:
Old Testament:
Psalm 2 -- Those who put their trust in the true God will be blessed by Him inspite of an unbelieving and vile world
Isaiah 53 -- The various prophecies of Divine Revelation, concerning Jesus Christ, hundreds of years before his birth. The Gospels are the fulfillment of those prophecies.
New Testament:
1 Corinthians 2 -- The wisdom of God revealed to those who are able to spiritually receive, as opposed to the inability of the "Natural man." [Verse, 14]
2 Timothy 3:14-17 -- The purpose of Divine Revelation
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"Of Whom Does the Prophet Speak" by By Victor Buksbazen -- an in-depth view of Isaiah 53 and the prophecy of Christ, hundred of years before his birth. Isaiah 53 underscores the truthfulness of Divine Revelation as exemplified in the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures.
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Note for further reference and understanding:
The Christian Faith -- Parts 1-3:
1) What is meant by “Believing” and / or, being, “Saved?”
2) How the saving (believing) process of the Christian Faith takes place
3) What are the tell-tale signs that a person has been “saved” [is a Christian believer]?
Complete list: Links to all the "Words in Season" topical messages __________________________________________________________
Please note: http://christianhomeworship.blogspot.com/ is not intended to discourage Christian worship at another place and, or, particular [formal] denominational churches of worship. As its author, it is my prayer and hope, that many souls will find it, a useful and valuable Christian resource.
Rev. Nathan Bickel
