'Woe unto them'... What does that saying really mean?

 Isaiah 5:20 keeps popping up in my mind lately in light of religious statements that have worked their way in to dominating the political arena:

20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Everybody seems to know what's right in God's eyes and, in doing so, are judging others by their own religiosity.  I feel like there is a lot of finger pointing and condemnation which has reached a ridiculous pitch and causing a lot of woe.

Does God cause woe?  Does he cause chaos and confusion? The answer to both questions is absolutely not!

Recently I read an article on synapses that are found between neurons in the human body. It is amazing how intricate the human body is and how well it is designed. Synapses are the spaces across which impulses in the human body flow along the nerves. The nerves form an amazing communication network throughout the body. It is quite humbling to even get a basic understanding of how it all works. God is not the author or designer of confusion. The design of the human body promotes well-being not woe!

God gave man the job of managing this world. He also gave man free-will choice to either accept or reject him. There are many many people who have helped humanity in science, medicine and research who have been inspired by God to steward what God originally designed. However, when money and profits become an issue, men have a tendency to screw things up. This is true in religion and education as well as politics. I include education because education has become a god in itself, the decider of what's good and evil. As a former teacher, it is quite alarming to me what is being taught and also what is not being taught in public schools today.

Parents are responsible to teach their children, not society or school board curriculums. As a parent and grandparent I take that responsibility seriously and refuse to stay silent on the dark things that creep into our society. Light always dispels darkness. In order for people to make the right decisions, they need to hear truth. I love my kids and I want the best for them, but I can't do that calling evil good and good evil.

 Religion is supposed to teach us how to believe and walk in a loving relationship with our heavenly Father and yet again when money, profits and power get involved, truth falls by the wayside.The Word of God is even more amazing than the human body. People who have not taken the time to look at it in depth probably don't agree. For me the deeper I dig into its treasures, the more I marvel at the incredible nature of God's love. There is no mistaking evil for good and good for evil. It is all quite simple. Confusion dissipates into thin air when the true God is around resulting in peace and miraculous living.  Who wouldn't choose that for themselves and their family.

There is a great verse in Psalms, 138:2

2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

God's name represents his authority. It is interesting to me that he exalts his word above his name.  Very simply, God wants us to know that he lives by his own rules. He does not default on his promises or his word.

Engaging With Others Part 3

9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;10 That ye may approve(judged by sunlight) things that are excellent (the good things that differ); that ye may be sincere and without offence (not stumbling) till the day of Christ.11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. Colossians 1:9-11 

 God expects us to think things through. Paul prays that our love may abound yet more and more. The word 'abound' is from the Greek word that means to 'over and above superabound'. Added to that is 'yet more and more'. This is a very pregnant thought. We are to over and above superabound yet more and more!

What are we to abound in more and more? Verse 9 says "knowledge and judgement". God wants us to have knowledge; that's an easy one. The word 'judgement' pertains to perception, either through the senses or mental perception. It is not God's desire that we be 'clueless' about what is going on around us and thankfully so.

Paul then goes on to talk about the things happening to him. He wanted them to understand that regardless of what it looked like, the good things about Christ and his effect on their lives could not  be hid. The gospel could not be put behind bars.

Paul was thankful for those who were emboldened to speak about what Christ had done for them. Despite the fact that Paul was in prison they delivered his message with love.  There were others who spoke up about Christ with other motives that weren't so great. Paul still rejoiced that Christ was being heralded! Loving the gospel of Jesus Christ takes all the fear and hurt out of being snubbed by anyone.

12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. Philippians 1:12-17

The foundation of Paul's heart and thinking was God. That is the high calling that enables us to have the knowledge and judgement in all situations. Sometimes even when our own motives may falter at times, God can help us to rise to level of abounding love.