Just Exactly Where Does Deceit Come in?

What is man’s standing before God? None. Why? “The carnal mind is enmity against God,” that is, warring… railing against God with its far-ranging rationales… and intellectual defenses. Oh, and if the carnal mind doesn’t seal the deal, we’re told “… the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.” Thus, the mind is at war against God intellectually, as the heart is passionately lusting after the things of the flesh. As a result, minds and hearts are co-conspirators, leading sadly to the sinner’s ultimate ruin. Now, the flesh isn’t sinful – Jesus came in the flesh and was sinless – but to the sinner? It’s the Devil’s bait and bright, shiny lure. 

“Wait now!” Of course, I know someone will protest. They’ll say, “I’m a moral… ethical… decent person. I haven’t done anything… well… not cruel or heinous. I don’t hate God. How can you suggest I do when I don’t believe God exists?” Huh. What do I say to an argument like that? I sometimes want to simply say, “Okay,” and shrug my shoulders. I’ve shouldered enough concerns and tears. I’m not accountable for what a person does with what I have to say. I am accountable for speaking out in love, and truth. Of course, I shudder to think of the faces I will one day see standing before Jesus in judgment, and I didn’t say anything. God forgive me for the times I remained quiet when opportunity presented itself. All I know is there’s no wiggle room for not sharing Jesus with everyone we find sharing our space. Either way, my evangelism will ultimately prove how God is both just and justifier of what plays out in heaven. Of course, if I shrugged someone off – boy, oh, boy – would I hear it from the choir loft! Just to make things clear to anyone who may read this? I wouldn’t… not unless it was clear that it was time that I needed to take off my sandals… shake them off. Yeah, no wiggle room.