Imagination

1 Corinthians 8:2 English Standard Version (ESV) If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know.

The KJV uses thinks rather than imagines but imagines gives a clearer understanding of what is going on here. Over the past two days I have been trying to listen to the Holy Spirit for direction with this series. I have listed the essential truths surrounding our primary salvation concern, eternal life. Those were things which we must believe to be true in order to have eternal salvation.

The next logical step would be to address beliefs that do not affect our eternal salvation but rather enhances our daily salvation and makes for a happier life in the here and now. Logic, the mystery of the imagination. Logic is what I calculate to be next. That is not listening to God.

What I discovered in myself is a propensity to overthink issues. My writing began to take on a meandering through a barren place, much like the Exodus experience. Only God was not leading, my imagination took over. I have been writing these blog devotionals for almost six years now. My hope has always been to present God’s good intentions towards the reader. I am not perfect and if I am not careful I will infect the conversation with human traits. Overthinking issues serves no value to the reader and will only lead to confusion. We know who the author of confusion is, the devil.

God has given us curious minds to seek out and discover Him. We should not do that apart from the bible. Within all that is written by learned men about a wide variety of subjects you will discover various opinions. Every effort to cover all the uses of words and translations places an enormous wealth of information at our disposal.

Disposal, a place to destroy what doesn’t taste good to you.

That is my imagination making something out of an innocent word. It may be funny or not. It might be relevant or not. Is it necessary to a teaching? No. It can hinder hearing the Holy Spirit.

Resurrection Results

New Testament (40)

Matthew (5)

Mark (2)

Luke (5)

John (3)

Acts (10)

Romans (2)

1 Corinthians (4)

Philippians (2)

2 Timothy (1)

Hebrews (2)

1 Peter (2)

Revelation (2)

Resurrection is repeated forty times in the New Testament. God repeats Himself and makes important matters plain so as to be understood.

I have written four devotionals dedicated to resurrection over the past four years. This is the last and perhaps most important issue for our eternal salvation. Study it well and understand that if there is no resurrection then there is no afterlife.

Even if there were not, and I know there is, then the grace, mercy and love that exists now for us in this life would still be needed by all.

Our salvation began the day we accepted Jesus into our hearts and continues each and every day until His return. Now I know that many hope to see that day but why wait on it if you do not believe in the resurrection? Are we so desperate to escape pain and suffering in our present condition that all we are concerned about is a way out?

Where is our compassion for others if all we care about is to be escape? Does our belief in a rapture save us? I would like to think not. This life is more important than an escape clause.

Eternal salvation is the finale. Go to the end of the book and read the ending. Does that satisfy you or are you interested in reading all the tales to be told in the book?

We are sojourners and we don’t get to stop and rest just because we know how the story ends.

Revelation 2:10 English Standard Version (ESV) Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Believe even if you do not like hearing it.