Intro
This is Dreamwalker1960. As a reminder you can read the transcripts of all my podcasts at dreamwalker1960.com. You can use most podcast platforms if you wish to listen. All you need to do is do a search for Dreamwalker1960.
Discussion
Since before the great flood humanity has sought after the here, the now. Part of the here and now is the collection of objects and possessions to worship and admire. This is spelled out in the first chapter of Romans:
Romans 1:18-23 NKJV – For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
Important phrases are within the verses. One of which is:
“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.”
We will return to the other element later. Because this one needs to be expanded upon. God makes it known to every single human that is alive or has ever lived that He does exist. In many ways it is subtle. In others it is right in their face. However, God wants them to know he does exist. He wants them to make a choice between Him or a temporal existence. All about us is the subtle. Most reject the blatant, simply because it is in their face at that moment and they respond in a retaliatory manner instead of an accepting one. It is something I see nearly daily. God is trying to get people’s attention. Most reject His advances.
Why? Because they like how they have things.
Part of this response has been handed down from one generation to the next for centuries. They have been sold a bill of goods which says they can live their lives as they desire. That seeking after worldly property and possessions is the norm and what all should seek after. Especially if they profess to being Christan.
The thing is. These are all lies. Yes, you heard that correctly: lies. Only one being gives earthly rewards and he does this to reward those that follow his lies.
Luke 4:6 NKJV – And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.
Most do not acknowledge this verse for to do so would mean they follow lies as I have just established. Yet Jesus knew this and made it very clear in one of His talks to the people of the tribes of Israel.
John 8:42-44 NKJV – Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
Now note how Jesus started this statement: “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God.”
How is it we are to show our love for Christ?
John 14:15 NKJV – “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”
Therefore, following the commandments not removed by Christ going to the cross will continue as He made very clear:
Matthew 5:17-19 NKJV – “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Now I wish to go back to John chapter eight once again.
“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him.”
“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do.”
Now in the next sentence the desires of the devil are detailed. He is a murderer and does not stand in the truth.
What is the Truth within the Bible.
Matthew 6:19-21 NKJV – “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
1 John 2:15-16 NLT – Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.
Most store treasures in this world which is not from the God our Father. However, most profess to being followers of God. Many through Jesus Christ. What does this turn them into?
James 4:4 NKJV – Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
This means they have not listened to the Truth and so they are the enemy of God no matter whom they profess to follow. Therefore, they are dead. Therefore, they have been murdered by father of all lies Satan. Who has rewarded those that follow him with earthly rewards. Masking their death not only to themselves, but the world as well. For they have chosen eternal death and damnation for a few temporal trinkets and bobbles. Like a fancy house or houses, fancy vehicles and earthly wealth. All of which was never given unto them by the Father as made clear in first John.
Let us move on to the next key element of the first chapter of Romans.
“Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
Within this statement we see humanities choice to make for themselves a “god” in their own image. One which allows them to seek after and covet temporal wealth. This in turn leads them to entering into sin, of their own free-will. Choices which leads to the sins described in the next part of Romans chapter one.
Romans 1:24-32 NKJV – Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
Many that profess to being “Christian” are confronted in chapter two of Romans, which again most do not want to hear or accept.
Romans 2:1-11 NLT – You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will judge everyone according to what they have done. He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness. There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.
Most Christians reject these words as not pertaining to them. But since most live in fancy houses and adornment it does make them qualify. But, by choice they reject it all for that would mean they would have to change their ways, which they refuse to do. Turning the Ture God into a god for their own making which is corrupt. A liar, who gleefully rewards them with earthly treasures which will rot away. Having no true value to anyone. Therefore, it leads them to damnation and eternal death and destruction.
But then that is their choice.
God Bless