Although this above diagram is simplistic it is effective. Angles, biases, motives, and historical conditioning can blindside us into thinking our perspective is truth. Certainly, post-modern theory, cultural relativism, and most liberal arts proclaim themselves as the Holy Grail of truth. Most, in fact, are mere romanticized justifications making their personal struggles with sin permissable.
You know, ‘live and let live’ ideologies.
In the diagram the cylinder is a definite, universal object that despite attempts to call it a square or circle, it remains resolutely what it is.
GOD IS THE SAME!!!
We can philosophically cherry-pick but it has no bearing on God and who He says He is, AND His inevitable conclusion for the ‘age of man’- Matthew 24 vs 3-14.
For the Christian, experiencing God through His Holy Spirit is mindblowing. Mindblowing, because our finite mind cannot fully comprehend an infinitely eternal Being with dimensions beyond what we are allowed to know. Yet God exists, and we experience Him. It’s wild, to say the least.
We are so far gone down the rabbit hole of self-righteous deception that we even have an actual word dedicated to this era. To quote, “In 2016, “post-truth” was named ‘word of the year’ by the Oxford Dictionary, denoting a transition into a post-factual era where public opinion is shaped by personal belief and appeals to emotion rather than facts.”- Emily York, ‘French Journal For Media Research’
I mean, just this fact alone should give us pause to re-examine ourselves, not to mention the physical manifestation of humanist, populist ideologies giving birth to our factually, emotionally delinquent world. Right before our very eyes.
2 Chronicles 18 is an OUTSTANDING account of populism lying, as it does so eloquently.
Contextually, Judah and Israel are governed by two different kings. Jehoshaphat is trying hard to do things God’s Way upon God’s Leading, whereas Ahab has turned back to ideologies, emotional responses, and gross paganism. In his thirst for power, driven by insecurity because God is blessing Jehoshaphat, Ahab wants war to validate himself in the region.
Isn’t this so typical of human nature?
We want to belong, but we won’t remove the log out of our own eye FIRST, rather we bully, cancel, and take revenge to feed our endorphin rush which deceitfully makes us feel right in our dysfunction.
Jehoshaphat, decides to seek God’s Council, much to the disgust of Ahab, who impatiently wants war. Ahab’s so-called prophets advise favorably. Jehoshaphat teaches us a valuable lesson about measuring populist agreement, by seeking out potential disagreement with Ahab’s blood-lust.
2 Chronicles 18 vs 7 we see the inner-child-tantrum of Ahab. His insecurity shines so bright by fact of that Micaiah is not part of Ahab’s favored ‘yes-men’ advisers.
As we read the rest of 2 Chronicles 18, Ahab does die. But there is an incredible account of God saving Israel from the terrible reign of Ahab.
GOD WANTS TO BLESS US, GROW US, PROSPER US, AND SAVE US.
However, we need to not only accept Christ, we must grow through God’s Grace to learn to inquire His Will for us. Like the cylinder diagram, God has a complete perspective, whereas we see in part.
Populism looks at life blinkered, rationalizing that this life is about us. It self-serves.
GOD, OUR FATHER, HOWEVER BEING THEE CREATOR, AND SEEING BEYOND WHAT WE CAN, LIKE JEHOSHAPHAT TEACHES US, IS THE BEST AND ONLY SOURCE TO TURN TO FOR INQUIRY REGARDING OURSELVES, CONSIDERING WE ARE BIASED BEINGS LIVING IN THE POST-TRUTH ERA.
JESUS LOVES US.
Pray this:
God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, please forgive me where I have used my own understanding fuelled by my insecure ego to seem better than I am. I confess now that I am a sinner that seeks to shape the world around me to suite my advantage. Please fill me with Thee Holy Spirit to help me unlearn populism and relearn God’s Truth. Jesus be my Lord and Saviour shaping me to be who You say I am.
In Your Holy Name King Jesus
AMEN
#Hayibo 