Deep Deception
To the editor:
The extremely opposing views in this Opinion section is representative of the volatile polarization we have across our nation. The root cause of this is a Biblical worldview versus a non-Biblical worldview.
The Biblical worldview group is composed of those who genuinely see the Word of God as our foundation for determining right and wrong, and good and evil. This group knows the Bible teaches that true followers of Jesus will be hated by the world, just as Jesus was. John 15:1819, Matthew 10:22, 1 John 3:13. They know that following him is the secret to a truly happy, secure, purposeful life, but requires sacrifice and self-denial. The Bible says this is a relatively small group. See Matthew 7:13-14, and 7:21-23.
The non-Biblical worldview group is actually made of two groups – those who openly admit they do not see the Word of God as a foundation for making decisions, and those who say they do, but are just fans of Jesus, and not actual followers. The latter of those two groups is the largest and most dangerously deceiving one. It is found in both of our major political parties. It is at least partially a result of deep deception in religious congregations today. Congregations led by deceived leaders who desire to grow their membership by catering to the desires of a sick society, and conform to the world.
I did not say church congregations because the church is the universal body of God’s true children. The church is composed of repentant Jesus followers, not world-friendly, comfortseeking, Christianitymade- easy fans. Sin is our problem, and true children of God will not dilute or ignore the Word or use clever rationalizations so that people can feel more comfortable in their sin.
If deception was easy to see, it would not be deception. Think about those who said “Lord, Lord…” in Matthew 7:21-23. All along they were thinking that because they went to church, attended Bible studies, gave generously, went on mission trips, prayed, etc., they were saved. But they had never actually surrendered their life, fully repented of all sin, and followed Jesus at all costs. They were still the center of their own life, not Jesus, therefore, they did not know Him, and He did not know them.
For those who write letters in this section, with the intent to defend the gospel, I have something to share with you. It took the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit to open our blinded, sinful eyes to Gods word and transform our hearts and minds away from the ways of this world. That same power is the only thing that is going to change the minds of those who are still in darkness. While letters written with the genuine guidance of the Holy Spirit, can point people to Christ, they can have the exact opposite affect if they are written out of hasty reactions or human logic and emotions with the futile intent to somehow win a perpetual argument.
If there are any doubts about this futility, consider the hundreds of letters written over the past five years. Are any of the non-Biblically-based authors of five years ago now writing Biblically- based letters? Were any minds transformed by argumentative rebuttals?When Christians write letters for this section, rebuttal or other, they should only be written after much prayer and study of God’s word, and contemplation of what Jesus himself would write. Our sincere prayers can unleash a much greater power than any letter.