A Makeover For The Maker?

In the beginning, God made humans in His image (Genesis 1:26-27). Since then, man has been trying to reverse this and give God a makeover. Instead of becoming more like Christ and allowing God to change us (2 Corinthians 5:17) sinful man has been creating their own image of God. This, according to Scripture, is creating a false god or idol. Many want God to be “feel-good”, buddy-buddy, user-friendly, politically-correct god that fits best our selfish desires and needs. God’s Word, which accurately describes the nature of God, has been sidelined to compromising standards and popular beliefs. God has been given a makeover to make many feel better about their sin.

Statements about a reinvented God abound today. “God accepts me even if I don’t live up to the truths of His word. Jesus is my homeboy. God wants me to be happy. God doesn’t want me to feel guilty about my chosen lifestyle. How could a loving God send anyone to hell?”

When people lack a relationship with God they tend to recreate His nature, mostly because they do not know Him. When Moses went to meet with God on Mt. Sinai, the Israelites replaced God with an image of a golden calf. Moses was their first idol. When he was gone, they needed something else to worship. Instead of waiting on God’s instructions they invented their own god.

Making God more politically correct to promote perverted morals is idolatry. Not being comfortable with what God’s Word says used to be called conviction of the Holy Spirit. The intent is to remind people of the holiness of God and that we, too, are called to be holy (1 Peter 1:16). Conviction of sin requires repentance, not reinvention. Instead of submitting to the creator, we attempt to become the creator. The thought is if people can reinvent God or His standards then they can comfortably live any way they want and do anything they please.

Instead of being fed truth, those who choose their sin over God’s standards exchange it for a lukewarm diet of rotten doctrine bent on appealing the masses. It’s like picking and choosing which of God’s divine characteristics and standards you want and disregarding the others. God’s nature and Word are not a buffet to be picked over. You can’t just stroll up to them, pick what you want and disregard the rest. He is not an á la carte God. You either submit to all of His standards and nature or none of them. You cannot make amendments to God’s law.

A watered-down faith disables the work of the Holy Spirit. Self replaces conviction. Attempting to make yourself feel good about your sin is turning yourself into the idol to be worshipped. God is transformed into a non-judgmental, affirming best-bud. But Scripture says He doesn’t change. If this is true, then why are we trying to change Him? In Revelation 1:8, God says, “I am the Alpha and the Omega.” Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

A relationship with Jesus Christ by reading, understanding, and obeying His complete Word is the only way to keep from veering off the straight and narrow path. Only God can reveal to you the deceptions, manipulations, and lies from Satan. Believers must be able to discern a counterfeit faith from the truth. Satan desires you to be blind and delusional so you will be in bondage. I pray you will search the Scriptures and know the true God in a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Is Tolerance Biblical?

“…in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. - 2 Peter 3:3

Today more than ever tolerance has come to mean everyone must accept anything, especially sin. Sin the Bible speaks directly against such as adultery, abortion, divorce, fornication, homosexuality, sorcery, idolatry, lying, and many others are today considered morally good in certain circles. Satan convinces the world by manipulation, lies, and deception so it will tolerate what God does not. John 3:16 used to be the most quoted verse but it seems to be replaced by “judge not lest ye be judged", although most people have no idea where it is in the Bible or in what context it was written. Tolerance has been redefined. It is no longer treating people with respect and kindness even if we believe they are wrong. It now means no one can hold any absolute truths except that there are no absolutes.

Many people consider themselves to be “spiritual”. This usually means they are not into “organized religion” and pick and choose what they believe, creating their own belief system. G.K. Chesterton said, “Tolerance is the virtue of men who don’t believe in anything.” Today’s definition of tolerance puts the power to determine right or wrong in the hands of people rather than God. Once a local college professor told me, “All roads lead to God.” I agreed with him, and it shocked him. I said, “Yes, all roads lead to God, but not all roads lead to Heaven.” Scripture is clear that all will stand before God one day (Hebrews 9:27; Romans 2:16) but not everyone will enter (Matthew 7:13-14, 21; Revelation 21:8) because a relationship Jesus is the only way to get there (John 3:16; John 14:6).

Usually the most intolerant people are those who talk the most about tolerance. It seems that one cannot take a stand on anything today except tolerance. Christians are labeled intolerant but it is not true about those who truly follow Scripture and Jesus’ example. Jesus was tolerant of the Samaritan woman (whom the Jews had nothing to do with in that day) but lovingly exposed her sin and took time with her to explain eternal life (John 4:7-27). He did the same with Zacchaeus, the rich young ruler, and everyone He came in contact with. Christians shouldn’t try to force their beliefs on anyone but should lovingly attempt to persuade those in need of Christ through love and compassion in their talk and actions (Luke 6:27-28).

Tolerating sin is not a spiritual gift. It is relativism and pluralism. Can every man have an opinion? Sure. Is every man right? How can they be? Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way which seems right unto a man, but the end leads to death.” Absolute truth, while only 52% believe in it, is still truth. Just because you don’t believe in something doesn’t make it false and just because you believe in something doesn’t make it true. Truth is what it is. God’s Word is 100% true and it will set you free (John 8:32).

Absolute truth has become politically incorrect these days. Today’s culture has declared war on Biblical standards and God’s morality. Compromise to Scripture has become the virtue and those devoted to truth of Scripture are seen as offensive and irrelevant. Scripture is plain in areas some define as gray. Christians must embrace truth and morality in black and white terms as defined by Scripture in a loving yet unapologetic manner. God’s truth may not be what people want to hear but it is truth nonetheless.