Saturday, July 29, 2017
Building People of Substance for Works of Power
Open their eyes, Friend.
Sometimes I get really frustrated with people who can’t seem to see what is obvious to me. A few weeks ago, I was praying about some people with whom I was particularly irritated, when the Lord spoke to my heart the words “strong delusion.” I knew that was in the New Testament somewhere, so I went and found it in 2 Thessalonians. Paul said that when the Antichrist comes many would believe him because God gave them “strong delusion.” According to Paul, they believe the lie because they have rejected the truth. As I thought about this, I realized I had allowed myself to get angry at folks instead of feeling pity toward them. They can’t see because they can’t see. They’re deluded. If they knew they were deluded, they wouldn’t be deluded.
We live in a world full of self-inflicted blindness. Think about it:
1. Babies in the womb are human. Why is that so hard to see? Blindness.
2. Men and women are different. Why do we try to treat them the same? Blindness.
3. Islam is committed to the conversion or death of us all. Why do we insist on pretending it is a “religion of peace?” Blindness.
4. Gender is genetically determined. Why do we pretend a man is a woman is a man? Blindness.
We could go on ad nauseum. Here’s the point: People who are ignorant are not blind. They just don’t know. People who have been repeatedly exposed to truth but, for whatever reason, have rejected truth, may be blinded. They can no longer see. Indeed, they now believe their darkness to be light. Getting mad at them doesn’t help. Only God can open their eyes. Prayer and compassion are our responses, not anger and argument.
Somebody Said: A blind man will not thank you for a looking-glass. — Thomas Fuller
Scripture Reading: The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, (2 Thessalonians 2:9-11 NKJV)
It doesn’t help to berate the deluded for rejecting truth and hardening their heart. It’s already done, and they can’t see it. Now what? As we accelerate toward the return of the Lord, the delusion will increase. We needn’t be shocked, nor angry, nor discouraged, we must be ready. We must be ready to pray, ready to love, and ready to persevere in proclamation of the truth which frees the receiver and blinds the rejecter.
Pastor Virgil L. Stokes
Faith Christian Fellowship of Tucson
3141 W. Ironwood Hill Dr.
Tucson, AZ 85745
www.fcftucson.org
Office: 520-792-3238
Visit us online at www.fcftucson.org at our You Tube channel.
pastorvirgil.com 