Introduction:
You hear lots of talk about equal opportunities in our culture, but
Almighty God goes a step further and believes in Equality. How does this
equality work?
God has made it incredibly simplistic for someone to enter into
the kingdom
of God. Jesus said
“Anyone who will not receive the
kingdom
of God like a little
child will never enter it.” But this very simplicity actually makes it
more difficult for clever people to take hold of. Not impossible and
there are some greatly intellectual people including scientists who have
taken this very simple step. However it does offend lots of intelligent
people that it only takes simple childlike faith to walk with God. Lots
of people believe science is a much more acceptable way to explain the
way things work. Science however is only very slowly catching up with
God and science will never contradict the God who created it, even
though scientists’ interpretations often do.
So why does God’s way of faith cause offence? Maybe the thought of
humbly admitting we were wrong and saying sorry is alien to all of us.
Faith is not a thing that sits comfortably with man’s intelligence and
when pride is present, simple faith is not given much credence. It is a
shame that so many clever people will refuse God's way, because the Bible
can far outdo their intelligence and give them so much room to study,
explore and develop.
Wealth can also be a sticking point to seeking and finding “The
Kingdom of God”. It is harder for a rich man to enter. God definitely
does not promote poverty but realises that wealth tends to make people
more reliant on what they have rather than seek him for what they need.
We in our western culture don’t really need God to provide anything
material. The more we have the harder it is for us to see our spiritual
need and accept God's help. Often it takes a sickness or a disaster to
make us re-evaluate our lives giving us a chance to hear God's voice.
In this life, people with intelligence, wealth, health, beauty and
all their creature comforts have an advantage, even with equal
opportunities operating. God’s way however prevents those people from
using these things to their advantage when it comes to knowing
him. God’s equality means those who are not quite so bright, not quite
so rich, not quite so beautiful or successful, can find their way to
know and walk with him as easily as anyone else. Indeed even young
children can find it.
So you argue, “Are intelligence, wealth, health, beauty and possessions
bad?” Of course not. I sometimes wish I had a bit more of all of them.
But if they are the cause for anyone to miss out on their destiny with
God here on earth and later in eternity, then that person will curse
them for ever. |