There are times in life when your eyes deceive you. You will run into people who appear courteous and kind, yet fail to reveal their hidden agenda within. This visual paradox keeps you from seeing reality; the truth about what is happetning. These anomalies, conundrums and enigmas keep you in the dark. This mystery often goes unsolved until it’s too late or the answers remain with those who kept silent, now buried and gone.
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth, Psalm 145:18.
There is a new movement sweeping America that defies logic. While I am not sure of it’s origin, diversity is the energy driving this political ideology. When common sense pokes holes in this desire to embrace everyone, the media rises up to shut down opposing views. On the surface, this message sounds like something Jesus would have said, “to love your neighbor as yourself.” This mental paradox has placed many Christians in the middle, unsure if loving your neighbor includes terrorists who secretly want to kill you.
Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him, John 18:37-38.
In the first century, Jesus had his own set of enemies. Jealous religious leaders believed Jesus was trying to usurp their political and religious power. Subsequently, when Jesus didn’t conform to their worldview, plots to kill him began to surface. Today, liberal leaders feel so strongly about secularism that if you don’t accept, adhere and embrace progressive ideas, you are pressured to deny your previous held beliefs. At the college level, if you choose to exercise you first amendment rights by disagreeing, this visual paradox is exposed for what it is, an attempt to force a code of ethics upon individuals without conviction, faith or inspiration.
Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, Ephesians 6:14.
The only successful way to combat this visual paradox is with truth. If a roman soldier did not secure his belt, his armor would become vulnerable to a surprise attack. Likewise, if individuals do not wear a belt, you could be caught with your pants falling down. To avoid this fate, arm yourself with spiritual weapons by putting on the armor of God daily. This discipline takes time and practice to apply. Yet, if you are diligent, securing the belt of truth will prevent you from being deceived by similar visual paradoxes that emerge in the future.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 