At Odds with God by Tim Parkinson
Many people give God or their church a few hours per week to placate themselves into feeling God is pleased with them and the life they lead. “After all, I did take the time and trouble to get up and go to church and I even gave something in the offering…”
The way we please God has more to do with doing what He wants us to do, than what we want to do for Him. If a father asks his son to take out the trash, but the son cleans up his room instead, is the father pleased?
Love & Pleasure
A father’s love has nothing to do with what his child does or doesn’t. A father’s pleasure with His child has more to do with his following His directions, so his child will learn how to be successful in life, by listening his guidance. A child on his or her own, seldom realizes he or she is making a mistake, until it’s too late.
Learning by Mistakes
Some might say a child will learn a good lesson by making their own mistakes, that’s true, but a mature person learns by seeking and applying advice (guidance), which is far better than learning through mistakes.
At Odds with God
Jas 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
echthra – ekh’-thrah
Feminine of G2190; hostility; by implication a reason for opposition: – enmity, hatred.
Jas 4:5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
Jas 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Jas 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Jas 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
The Right Direction
God gives us direction through His word, the Bible. If we choose to take His fatherly advice, He is pleased. If we don’t understand His direction, He will reveal it as we pray and patiently wait on His guidance. If we are impatient and take the world’s advice, we run the risk of getting away from providence. We’re choosing to guide ourselves with confidence in our own resources.
People are called “adulterers and adulteresses”, because they are leaving the One committed to them, for whoever they choose to be enamored with. It might be something or someone they can use to be better looking, more appealing, or gaining more status. These people will soon learn that they are, in fact, the ones being used.
In choosing the world, they become opposed to (or adversaries of) God, in fact, they have listened to and followed the guidance of Satan. God’s adversary.
By deciding what you’re going to do, whether it’s God’s will or not, removes God from His position and makes you a type of God. This didn’t work for Satan and it won’t work for you.
Isa 14:12 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
Isa 14:13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
Isa 14:14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
Isa 14:15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
Where’s God?
If you’ve chosen to follow your own devices, God is then under no obligation to rescue you or anyone from the devil’s schemes, no matter if you go to church or not.
If you get into trouble, God will help you get out. First, you must humble yourself and resist the devil, but sins do have wages (hopefully there hasn’t been much damage done). You can be assured, the devil will make you pay for the time you spend in His kingdom.
This world and the systems that run it is Satan’s kingdom. Satan rules on this planet and not in heaven.
2Co 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
2Co 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
If you have been blinded and have chosen to follow the god of this world, rather than the God of heaven, repent as quickly as possible and turn back to Him. Jesus will not turn His back on you.
The book of James continues with this advice in verse 4:7.
- Draw near to God.
- Cleanse your hands and purify your heart.
This bad situation happened, because you were double minded. You doubted God. You turned away. Turn back around and draw near to God.
Doubt and do Without
If and when we perceive any doubt in our minds, regarding the will of God, we must be diligent to settle each matter. This is your enemy’s way of testing you and if you resist, he will leave you. If you agree with his suggestions, rather than resist, you will soon be visited again to be tested, tried and tempted.
Satan’s Devices
Few people commit sin knowingly. First, they are enticed and then flattered. Then they receive suggestions and then urgings. The next point they become double minded, not knowing right from wrong, good from bad, God from Satan.
The Prodigal Luke 15:11-32
In this parable, Jesus tells us about the prodigal son, who just wanted to have a good time. He heard about the things that happened in the city. He chose to follow his desires, which didn’t include staying close to his father and his provision. When his money was gone, so we’re his “friends” and admirers. Then he needed to go to work, but there was then a famine in the land. The only place we’re he could stay was a pigsty and he was so hungry, he wanted the pig’s food.
Even at this point, He still was opposed to God. He was in a bad situation until he realized that the bad situation was in him.
Someone might say, “Well, God taught him a lesson”. God wasn’t involved in any of it, until the son got him involved.
He Turned Around
Jesus continued His story to tell us that the son came to his senses and realized that he’d sinned against heaven (God) and his father. He repented from the childish and foolish actions he chose and returned to those who loved him. When he had everything, he rebelled and then later, when he had nothing, he surrendered. He was better off having repented, but he had to lose all his substance and those precious days he’ll never get back. He wasted that part of his life and only had regret to show for it.
In Appreciation
It’s a wise thing when we affirm those who have and do help us in our lives. Whether it be God or man, credit is due to those who support us. Unlike the ungrateful prodigal, when we express appreciation, we remind ourselves who and what is truly important in lives. We remember who has actually done something and is deserving of thanks.
When we fail to recognize what God has done for us, we are soon going down the same road the Prodigal Son took on his way to the city.
Choosing Sides
Looking to the world for our fulfillment or our futures put us opposing God, whether we try to mentally justify ourselves or not. God’s word is always true and right. We can find ourselves an enemy or adversary to God by following others suggestions.
The Jewish leaders were advised of this very thing by Gamaliel.
Act 5:34 Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space;
Act 5:35 And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men.
Act 5:38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
Act 5:39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
Act 5:40 And to him they agreed:
We must be wary not to only use human logic to guide us, but to pray to hear where His peaceful Spirit’s leading us. Whatever we do, we need to be careful as we make life choice, to be sure that we’re on God’s side, not at odds with Him.
Wise words
When a pious minister told President Abraham Lincoln he “hoped the Lord is on our side”, the president was quoted as responding , “I am not at all concerned about that…. But it is my constant anxiety and prayer that I and this nation should be on the Lord’s side.”
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