Wrong Postulate; Wrong Conclusion
If a person has the wrong postulate, then they will draw the wrong conclusion. According to it's definition a postulate is defined as "a statement, also known as an axiom, which is taken to be true without proof." In all reality, the truths in God's word are the only true postulates. Where do the problems come in as far as interpretation go then? When filtered through our own biases, preferences and even prejudices, what once was a pure truth becomes muddled and contorted. And so the "postulate" is changed, and then so must the conclusion be.
Take for example the truth from Matt. 6:24-" No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." This Scripture seems very easy to understand. The postulate is what God has stated here, and the conclusion is that we must "choose one or the other"-either God or money, not both.
Because many people want to have (their bias) both God and money as the center of their lives ,without even realizing it, they can't believe God really means this, even though they may read it. They tell themselves they are not serving money, (because they couldn't face it if they were) even though much, if not most of their time is spent
involved with it, while carrying God in their back pocket. "The deceitfulness of riches" has blinded them. Naturally, they cannot hear the conclusion drawn from this verse which is that they must choose one over the other.
I'm reminded of a similar verse in the Old Testament which foreshadows this one. Joshua 24:15-"And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Ever since the beginning of time, God has told us we must choose between Him and any other god or thing. This is where the truth that He is a jealous God comes in. He wants all of us, or none, it seems. It's not a possessive thing in the negative, as some think of it, but it's a loving thing. He loves us so much, He knows if we have split allegiances, we will have preoccupations that will harm us ultimately.
The word "mammon" actually represents the self-life. When we are preoccupied with money, what it can buy, the prestige it brings, with the power, we really are just immersed in ourselves. And when that happens, (even though it is not in sight to us) our hearts drift from God and His will for our lives, and as He says we will begin to despise Him. It is an extreme word He uses, but nonetheless, true. He knows because He examines our hearts.
Woe unto us if we let that happen. It is a fight against the self-life and the world that is directed by the spirit of Mammon. If we don't acknowledge this battle, and be aware of the pull that is against us, we will become a victim as many are in America today. This seducing spirit creeps in unaware. Beware, fellow traveler.
Take for example the truth from Matt. 6:24-" No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." This Scripture seems very easy to understand. The postulate is what God has stated here, and the conclusion is that we must "choose one or the other"-either God or money, not both.
Because many people want to have (their bias) both God and money as the center of their lives ,without even realizing it, they can't believe God really means this, even though they may read it. They tell themselves they are not serving money, (because they couldn't face it if they were) even though much, if not most of their time is spent
involved with it, while carrying God in their back pocket. "The deceitfulness of riches" has blinded them. Naturally, they cannot hear the conclusion drawn from this verse which is that they must choose one over the other.
I'm reminded of a similar verse in the Old Testament which foreshadows this one. Joshua 24:15-"And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Ever since the beginning of time, God has told us we must choose between Him and any other god or thing. This is where the truth that He is a jealous God comes in. He wants all of us, or none, it seems. It's not a possessive thing in the negative, as some think of it, but it's a loving thing. He loves us so much, He knows if we have split allegiances, we will have preoccupations that will harm us ultimately.
The word "mammon" actually represents the self-life. When we are preoccupied with money, what it can buy, the prestige it brings, with the power, we really are just immersed in ourselves. And when that happens, (even though it is not in sight to us) our hearts drift from God and His will for our lives, and as He says we will begin to despise Him. It is an extreme word He uses, but nonetheless, true. He knows because He examines our hearts.
Woe unto us if we let that happen. It is a fight against the self-life and the world that is directed by the spirit of Mammon. If we don't acknowledge this battle, and be aware of the pull that is against us, we will become a victim as many are in America today. This seducing spirit creeps in unaware. Beware, fellow traveler.
posted by Patti Blount @ 8:53 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home