OUR GREATEST THREAT
INTRODUCTION
Our greatest threat (among others) lies in serving self interests rather than adherence to God's Word; with an attempt to eliminate God to allow the evilness of man to accomplish what His Word condemns. Walking away from God creates havoc, mistrust, and many other ungodly factors that dominate the world in which we live.
When one breaches the wall of faith in God; allowing the ungodly to dictate policy, it opens Pandora's box of evils. In Greek mythology a story is told of a box sent by the gods to Pandora, which she was forbidden to open. She opened the box out of curiosity that loosened a swarm of evil upon mankind: a prolific source of troubles.
Our Greatest Threat
Attempt to Erase God
The Prophet Isaiah in speaking the words of the Lord, said: My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9).
It was noted that God's sovereignty is highlighted by the statement that His thoughts (purposes or intentions) and ways (directions) are higher than ours. He directs the affairs of earth's history in accordance with His wise and holy purpose.
Our greatest threat (among others) is when man attempts to ease God out of the picture and take control of his own destiny. Apostle Paul wrote: Be no deceived: God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap (Galatians 6:7).
Sweeping God Aside
Our greatest threat (among others) is attempting to eliminate God; as in the case of the Jewish exiles, taken captive and led to Babylon. It was noted that of all influences brought to bear on the Jewish exiles in Babylon, none was more devastating than the attempt to make Jewish children to forget God, and godly values, teaching them the ways of their captors.
This is still a real threat today; in an increasingly socialistic society, with an agenda to alleviate God from the scene, in a world that is opening the door to the influence of Marxism and Socialism, cousins to Communism, declaring there is no God; with our greatest threat (among others) is in seeing an effort to erase what was previously taught to the youth, and exchange it for a Socialist agenda that has become so prevalent.
Truths of the Past
It was noted that if freedom and civil liberties burn low in other lands, they must be made brighter in our own. If in other lands, the press and books and literature of all kinds are censored, we must redouble our effort to keep them free. If in other lands the truths of the past are threatened by intolerance, we must provide a safe place for their continuation (Franklin D. Roosevelt).
It is unfortunate that truth is often buried in the past; no longer deemed suitable; even if it would help prevent what is taking place. There are those who seek to whitewash evil; as the influx of ungodliness, part of our greatest threat, makes entry into many nations of the world.
It was noted that where there is no fear of God, no reverence for God, every evil can and will abound. The idea that humans will be good without God is a deceptive fallacy. When people are devoid of the truths of God's Word, they become morally corrupt, exceedingly evil, violent and destructive.
Christian Biblical Values
or Secular Values
It was asked: Which will it be Christian Biblical values or totally secular values? It was noted that eventually kingdoms crumble because they ascended to dominance on the shaky foundation of human ingenuity, political intrigue, and selfish interests. The time is coming when all powers and principalities will collapse under the weight of God's Judgment.
God, having power and authority to create, also has power and authority to destroy that which He creates. This was shown by the Flood (pre-Flood days of Noah); when humans become so evil (a threat that is prevalent today and part of our greatest threat), that every thought and imagination of the human mind and heart was only evil continually, then God destroyed the humans He had created (with the exception of Noah and his family).
Need for Repentance
There is a dire need to follow the example of a return to God, through repentance, as that of Nineveh. Scripture reveals: The word of the Lord came to Jonah (a prophet of God), saying: Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come before me (Jonah 1:2).
As Jonah began to enter into the city, a day's journey (on the first day), he cried (cried out), and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown (destroyed) (Jonah 3:4). The people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth (a sign of repentance), from the greatest of them, even to the least of them (Jonah 3:5). God saw their work, that they turned away from their evil way; and God repented (relented) of the evil, that he had said that he would do to them, and he did it not (Jonah 3:10).
It was noted that God did not change in His ultimate intention toward the Ninevites rather they changed in their attitude towards Him. On the basis of that change, God could deal with them in grace, rather than in judgment as their failure to repent would have necessitated. Our greatest threat (among others) is allowing evilness to reign; to forego repentance, failing to renew a relationship with God; all of which Nineveh accomplished.
Government Becoming
the Savior
Part of our greatest threat is allowing government to becoming the Savior in times of need. There are those who accept the handouts of government as their hope and salvation; such makes one dependent on government which equates to control rather than independence.
Faith in God, as one's provider and protector, is greatly diminished when the government acts as one's big brother. The goal of Marxism and Socialism is total dependence; with control of the masses being its target. Part of our greatest threat is by not realizing this is happening until the web of deceit completely captures its intended victims.
Attempt to Wipe Out
Christianity
Many forces of evil are attempting to wipe out Christianity (part of our greatest threat); to erase any trace of its existence. Jesus reaffirmed His commitment to the church, saying: You are Peter (representative of the Church), and upon this rock (the foundation of Christianity) I will build my church: and the gates of hell (opposing forces of evil) shall not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18).
Christianity is in a warfare; with Apostle Paul identifying its opposition: We wrestle not against flesh and blood (man), but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12).
Whole Armor of God
Apostle Paul encouraged one to take (take up) the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand (Ephesians 6:13). The armor of God consists of: Truth, Righteousness, Peace, Faith, Salvation, and the Word of God.
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit (Spirit of God), and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints (Ephesians 6:18). In the Spirit signifies that with the Spirit's help prayer for divine aid is to be made.
Apostle Paul further noted: The weapons of our warfare are not carnal (of the flesh), but mighty through God to the pulling (tearing) down of strongholds; casting down every imagination (argument), and every high thing (evilness of man) that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought (doubt) to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
Light in the Midst
of Darkness
Jesus said: Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glory your Father which is in heaven (Matthew 5:16). It was noted that you are the light of the world describes the essential mission of the Christian to the world; to clearly shine forth into the darkness of human depravity. The smallest light can dispel the greatest darkness.
Part of our greatest threat to humanity is failure, as a Christian, to allow God to manifest Himself through us, as light in the midst of darkness (sinfulness and ungodliness) of this world; not to keep silent but to promote the truths of God's Word.
Apostle Paul noted how this is accomplished: The servant of the Lord must not strive (quarrel), but be gentle to all men, apt (able) to teach, patient; in meekness instructing (correcting) those that oppose themselves, if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth (2 Timothy 2:24-25).
True Source of Strength
In Apostle Paul's last testament, just prior to his death, he reflected who his source of strength was: At my first answer (defense) no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. Notwithstanding (despite it all) the Lord stood with me, strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory forever and ever (2 Timothy 4:16-18).
The Psalmist revealed where one's real security lies: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). It was noted that the 46th Psalm assures us that God is our place of security in an insecure world; God protects through giving His people assurance and comfort.
In times of chaos, devastation, destruction, terrorism, disease, and all types of abnormal behavior, is one looking to God or man? If in man, one is looking to the wrong source; which is part of our greatest threat in the world in which we live.
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