“Words taught by the Spirit” (1Cor.2:13)
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The fool has said in his heart, “there is no god”. . .
“The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none who does good” (Ps.14:1 and 53:1)
The fool’s atheism or polytheism
We are all witnesses, nowadays, that atheism is spreading rapidly within the so-called “Christian” States of Europe. Everyone that gives his testimony, that believes in God and that is a Christian ‘collects’ usually ironic smiles, if not mockeries! Is it not worth noting that in the European Constitution, there is no reference to God and to the Christian roots and principles of the European States? In addition, what should we say about the aggressive movement, which saw the light of the day a few years ago and which tries to re-institute the cult of the twelve gods of Olympus? This movement in Greece does not limit itself to making its own advertisement, but it attacks fiercely Jesus Christ, Christianity in general and all other religions. In other countries, there are some atheists, among which are some famous homosexuals, who propose the complete abolition of religions – even though there are some wonderful things about them – accusing them as dangerous to world peace and cultural tolerance! It seems that they ignore both the number of people that have been killed or slaughtered by the Communists, by the Muslims, etc. and how Christianity has changed the world from all points of view! Beyond that, there are many who, seduced by their “wisdom” or their “knowledge”, instead of believing God, believe in magic or in whatever an astrologer or a medium or a sorcerer tells them or prophesizes! (Isa.47:10, 13). We can see, therefore, the veracity of the word of the Bible: “The fool has said in his heart, ‘there is no God.’ They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none who does good” (Ps.14:1 and 53:1)
When man sees and observes the nature around him, even through a documentary, he is seized with admiration! It is not necessary for him to travel all over the world in order to see all creation and see how wonderful the world is in which he lives and moves! Unfortunately, you hear atheists or non-believers say that there is no God; others say in a spirit of condescendence – because they are ashamed to declare that there is no God – that even if God exists, He exists in the form of an infinite, impersonal “power”; He does not care about men and men are not going to give an account to Him! Moreover, without any delay, they begin in a spirit of complacency to speak to you about the Big Bang, about the evolution theory that all the living creatures were created through the evolution process from a unicellular organism! They do not explain, however, who created this unicellular organism… And they neither explain nor prove to us how that microbe has developed into a tree, a tomato plant, a hydrangea, ivy, a potato plant… They do not explain to us how that microbe became an elephant, a cat, a kangaroo, a horse, a fish, a lion, a bird, a whale, a giraffe, a dolphin, etc. with all their specific features… Certain people’s foolishness goes so far as to say that ‘they have become by themselves’ or that “nature” has created them, as if nature is self-existent and possesses supernatural powers! Yes, up to the point in saying that even we men, white, black etc. owe our beginning to a monkey or even to the mutation of a unicellular organism, without again explaining to us who created that monkey or that microbe! Theories upon theories… Nor do they explain to us, above all, the universal characteristic of all the peoples of the world, from the most backward to the most developed, that is, that there an innate fear of God or of some divinity and the continuity of life after death in some form!!! If you challenge them, ‘asserting’ that the chair on which they are sitting was made by itself, they laugh at you and say that you are crazy! However, who is crazy? The Word of God calls the crazy men of this kind “foolish”, that is, men without wisdom, even if they are successful scientists, businessmen or politicians. And the Word of God is accomplished: “whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.” (2Cor.4:4).
Characteristics and consequences of the “fool”
The characteristics of such “fools” are, in the first place, that they despise God’s wisdom (Pr.1:7) and they have in abomination those who walk honestly (Pr.13:19) or ‘with the cross in hand’! The only thing that interests them is to get rich, to possess goods and be glorified by men… “… Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die! … Surely for this iniquity there will be no atonement for you, even to your death…” (Isa.22:13-14). Because of their self-importance, they do not seek God, and all their thoughts are that there is no God (Ps.10:4). In reality, there is no greater foolishness than ignore God! They behave as if they were the only wise people and all the others fool. They love evil more than what is good and myths and lies more than justice and truth (Ps.52:3). The words and the transgression of the fool prove that there is no fear of God in him. They flatter themselves that their iniquity or his foolishness will not be revealed. The words of the mouth of many of them are wickedness and deceit. They have ceased to be wise, they are on a slippery ground and do not abhor evil (Ps.36:1-4). They think that God does not see and does not understand what they do (Ps.94:7; Isa.47:10) and that He does not care about them and that we are not going to give an account to Him. The truth, however, is that God sees them and observes them all and He sends rain on the just and the unjust (Mat.5:45). They will be judged and will be condemned because the light has come into the world, but they have loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. “… For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” (Joh.3:19-21). Some of them profess to know God, but in works, they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient and disqualified for every good work (Tit.1:16). They swear by the name of the Lord, but not in truth or in righteousness! (Isa.48:1). Gagarin, the very first Russian astronaut, when he came back from the space – which he described in deep admiration – declared that he had not seen God anywhere! And because he had not seen Him, he concluded that He did not exist! He simply revealed the wickedness of folly! (Ecc.7:25)
How true is the word of the Bible! “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” (Rom.1:19-21). Exactly for this reason is included, in the verse that I referred to at the beginning, the phrase: “They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none who does good.”
They are corrupt! Why? Because, while they see very clearly the wonderful creation of God, and while they understand that behind all this creation, there is an invisible, eternal power of God, they neither honor nor thank Him. They are, therefore, without excuse!!! That is why God – unwillingly and with pain in His heart – gives them up to their unwise heart and to their arrogance and lusts and evil choices! Their minds have been blinded and with their sinful acts, they have become abominable; in addition, they corrupt their fellow men… He who has eyes and he who has ears can see, can listen, and can find out the truth of these divine statements…
God’s love offers them the way of salvation
God’s work has not been and is not limited to give up man to his foolishness and to his sinful life. God does not want man’s eternal death, but to come back from his evil ways and to be delivered from his foolishness and live! When the fool/sinner turns away from his foolishness and his sinfulness and does what is right, he will preserve his soul because he examined his life and turned away from all his foolishness and sins. May all of us turn back to reason, to understand, to righteousness and hence avoid the consequences of our foolish and sinful life (Eze.18:23, 27-28, 32). God has provided that whoever becomes conscious of his situation one day, should be, by calling on His Name, to get rid of his situation: To be saved! He has provided the means of their salvation: Faith in His words, trust in His character and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross for poor sinners. He has established one rule: The rule of faith: Whoever believes in God, honors Him with his confidence, relies on His Word, the Bible, and admits that Jesus Christ accepted to die on the cross in his stead, so that he may not suffer the consequences of his foolishness and his sins, will be saved: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (Joh.3:16)
I believe that if a man does not make an act of justice by condemning himself and admitting that what he deserved was but death and hell, God cannot forgive him, justify him and render him really just. When someone admits, confesses and accepts his sins as well as the punishment of his sins (Lev.26:40-42) but ALSO rejects his sins (Pr.28:13), then and only then will he receive the forgiveness of his sins, that is mercy, life, justice and glory (Pr.21:21). A man makes an act of justice when, without complaining or excusing himself or accusing others for his own responsibilities or taking the place of a victim – while the proof of his guilt cries out against him – accepts his guilt and the punishment of his sins (Lam.3:39-41 and Lev.26.40:42).
Repentance and faith
There is no better example of repentance from that of the one of the two criminals who were crucified together with Jesus, who did not try to justify himself, but told the truth in his heart and publicly and reproved the other criminal who was on the cross: “But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong. Then he said to Jesus, Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom. And Jesus said to him, Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Lu.23:40-43). What a lesson for all of us! May God open our eyes and our ears to listen to the message that comes out of this wonderful story! Then we will receive the same blessing that the “sincere and repentant” or “honest” criminal received… to be with Christ in Paradise. Many of us assert that we are innocent and that is why we are not in danger (Jer.2:35). However, the Word of God says: “Only acknowledge your iniquity, that you have transgressed against the LORD your God………” (Jer.3:13).
Blessings for those who are “honest”
It must be noted, at this point, that while for the Jews and the Romans, Jesus was but a common person deserving death, in the eyes of that “honest” criminal, Jesus was more than an innocent person: A divine heavenly King! How did he manage to understand such a thing? God, because of his sincerity and the fact that he assumed his responsibilities, opened his spiritual ears and eyes! He understood that Jesus, Who was hanging on the Cross and at the point of dying, was the divine, heavenly King and that He could take him with Him in His Heavenly Kingdom! Incredible but true! He was saved just because he repented, believed sincerely and called upon the name of the Lord! In this way, Joel’s prophecy concerning the way of being saved was accomplished: “For whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” (Rom.10:13). The same blessings of spiritual insight and heavenly inheritance are also for you and for me if we are «honest», telling the truth both in our heart and publicly, that is, when we accept our responsibilities and our guilt and give our heart to Him! Let us pay attention to the following wonderful verse: “Turn at my rebuke; surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you” (Pr.1:23). Jesus saves by His grace all those who call upon Him in ‘sincerity and in truth’. It is good to remember that life is short; it is like a vapor, which appears for a while and then disappears; and that it is decided for us all to die and stand before God to be judged and that there is no other way of being saved but by taking refuge in Christ.
What is our response to Him Who is the light of the world, to Him Who gave Himself up for us all and Who is ready to give to all of us graciously all things? (Rom.3:32).
John BALTATZIS
http://wordstaughtbythespirit.com
