Fact or Fiction

2 Chronicles 9:29 English Standard Version (ESV) Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, from first to last, are they not written in the history of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer concerning Jeroboam the son of Nebat?

This is a followup from a comment yesterday that needs some explanation. That being “history, fact or fiction”. This verse is the only time the word history is used in the ESV but serves as a good example of the issues of truth. We who are in Christ, believe the Word to be true. The bible does not address everything in history, only those relevant parts meant to help us.

My point, which was not made yesterday, is not about world history but rather personal history. We all have a past and for many of us there have been some significant events that hold deep personal meaning. It is important that we get the facts right about those events.

Memory is not a reliable tool for events that happened many years ago. What does not change is our feelings. If our feelings change then perhaps those moments were not that significant.

Not so long ago I related my first encounter with God which I have at times called “God revealing Himself.” My feelings about that moment have not changed. My understanding of that moment has changed. Maturity clarifies misconceptions and those things we learn on this path of faith brings clarity in accepting God’s will.

A word I had not yet learned when I was sixteen was sovereignty. Sovereignty is an attribute of God’s identity and makes up just one aspect of who God is in His entirety. If I had learned that lesson back then I might have identified sovereignty as His most important identity. Today sixty years later my answer to His most important quality is love.

God does not change His mind but thank God we can. Mankind can be muleheaded but thanks be to God that His sovereignty is not diminished by our stubbornness. What we were serves a purpose for a time and when that purpose has been fulfilled the sovereignty of God changes us to serve His purpose.

1 Corinthians 8:2

And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

What I think on my own is fiction.

Daniel 2:47

The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.

Only God can reveal truth and His name is Jesus Christ.

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