As a believer and follower of our Lord Jesus, I am
confronted with what I call the world’s view every day. Indeed it would be hard
to say that an hour can go by without some person or authority proclaiming a
view point that is contrary to God’s word and therefore things which are at the
core of our beliefs. A study I did more than 10 years ago said the average
primary school student in Australia is bombarded with over 3,000 messages every
week. Messages which must be discerned and understood to determined there
intent.
Just a couple of months ago Sydney celebrated the gay Mardi
gras, an event that our PM and opposition leader chose to attend. Whilst I
intend not to make any dispersion upon any one group of people, it is blatantly
clear that society’s views have changed dramatically in recent years. It felt
only a short time ago that such behaviour was frowned upon in society instead
of being celebrated as we recently saw, so what has changed?
Though man’s opinions have changed, God’s word will never
change and with that the very nature of God himself as Hebrews 13:8 says “Jesus
Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever”. The question is what brings
about these changes in society? Is it some “big brother” determining our
thoughts and therefore opinions or is there a more subtle change that
influences society? I would say from experience that there is predominantly two
ways in which society’s views change, one is of the latter and therefore slowly
over time and the other is through dramatic circumstances such as recent ISIS
attacks that we have seen of late.
It is the more subtle and slower type that I wish to explore
and hopefully bring some understanding of the forces at work in society today.
When we think of philosophy we think mainly of those famous men and women who
through their reasoning have influenced or at least analysed man’s thoughts,
the likes of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle. There is no doubt these people have
brought about a greater understanding of the nature of men and the very concept
of thought which I find most intriguing. For in thought and reasoning we find
one of the most unique aspects of being human as opposed to being merely
animalistic or complex mammals as some might try to call us.
It is man being “made in God’s likeness” which enables
humans to reason in the first place. So philosophy in its purest form should
not be despised or frowned upon but celebrated. Yet despite this we also know
that not everything that comes from man is good. Isaiah 55:8-9 explains this in
a very straight forward way in saying “For My thoughts are
not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.9 “For as the heavens are higher than the
earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My
thoughts than your thoughts.”, Our
Lord Jesus goes on to say that it is not what goes into man that defiles but
that which comes out of him” referring to the corrupted nature of man through
sin. It is therefore that which lies beneath the outer shell of man or at least
the heart of a man that truly exposes his intentions whether for evil or good.
Scripture tells us that it is only God who knows the heart
and intentions of man, whether man’s motives are evil or good. It is therefore
imperative when understanding societal change that we know from what view point
this change has come, that is the angle that we view man’s motives whether they
are God pleasing or simply to please man or build man’s kingdom as opposed to
God’s.
Jesus in his own life continually set about asking the
“Father” of His plans and His desires rather than simply pursuing his own or
the status quo. Not content in examining and reasoning with his own thoughts,
though without blemish I would imagine, our Lord was determined to please only
one, His Father in heaven. This displays our Lord’s heart and desires, to bring
honour and glory to the Father rather than himself. Even in the garden of
Gethsemane we see this in his words “not my will but your will Father”.
We must therefore be able to compare our thoughts and
intentions to that of the Father in knowing whether the change we bring is for
the Glory of God or for ourselves. There must always be a measuring stick to
determine whether our ways are selfish or truly to see God’s will be done and
kingdom come on the earth.
Philosophy is described as a theory
or attitude that acts as a guiding principle for behaviour. It is therefore
imperative that at the heart of any philosophical reasoning is the desire to
please God over man, at least for those of us who are of the Family of God and
His precious Church. When we look at societal change today there is no doubt
that dramatic events can bring about great change in man’s views and thoughts
on many things, yet is the underlying belief and faith in our creator that can
be the guiding force that causes great change even in these last days.
Scripture says in 2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people,
which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my
face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will
forgive their sin, and will heal their land..” Indicating we the church of Jesus Christ, whom is the head and we the
body, have the ability and dare I say calling to bring about the change that
society truly needs. God pleasing change as opposed to man pleasing change.
The church today is in
continual change. Yet one thing must always remain, that is a determination to
see the fulfilment of God’s plans and purposes for all of mankind. Again,
scripture says in Matthew 28 “All authority in heaven and on earth
has been given to me.
19 Go
therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name
of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I
have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
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