There is no lasting hope in how much money is in your bank or in how many social or business connections you have. There is no permanent hope in human arts, sciences, religions, education, economics, philosophies, psychology, sociology, spirituality, rituals, secret societies, open societies, or any other conceivable endeavors that elevate the human ego. These all pass as the flowers of the field (Psalm 103: 15+16). The only lasting hope (with promise) is in God the Father through Jesus Christ. Hope that is seen is not hope (Romans 8:24). People without God hope in the things their eyes can see. People know the temporality of all things in this world, yet the relentless pursuit of them continues. How many times have you spent your money and it does not subtract from the balance of what you had in your bank? How many meals have you ever eaten that have satisfied and sustained you forever? The list goes on and on; sexual appetites, the pursuit of money, the acquisition of power, the attainment of high social status (and the control of those beneath it)! The things of this world are fleeting and cannot satisfy or sustain you forever. Human beings are not meant to stay human. That’s why we die, and our spirits are released. What useful purpose does the shell of seed have once the fruit of it is ready to start growing?
The broad goals of the rich, powerful, and educated falsely substantiate high aspirations towards human advancement. They are validated with lies by an illusion of control to be able to fulfill those aspirations and make them last forever. In some cases, men believe they are the saviors of the world by their high-level credentials and “know how.” Humanity’s pursuit of triumphing over the will has never left the darkened hearts of man or women since the first bite of the forbidden fruit. The goal is to collectively advance together to a higher evolution than what we are now. That by our great advancements in power and technology we will have attained to perfection in our human capacities and will. How foolish is the thought of human achievement apart from Almighty God! Time is not on their side. Time is against those who seek deep to hide their counsel far from the Lord, and their works are in the dark; They say, “Who sees us?” and, “Who knows us (Isaiah 29:15)?”
When we can accept God’s love and forgiveness as freely and comfortably as He gives it, then we will have confidence and not be bound by our unstable psychology that puts too much work in faith rather than an abundance of faith in our works. Our goal in the Christian faith is to be led by the Spirit of God into His Light so that there is exposure in the darkness, not concealment. God will expose the unfruitful works of darkness. There is no skirting the dark and sinful issues of our day. God does not skirt around anything! He confronts darkness with His light and brings immorality to the surface for all to see. There is no debating the issues of the sinful nature. We know very well what is right in the eyes of God. Those who are close to Him see that it has very little to do with going to church regularly or spending long times in prayer and study. These things may not be an option for the strongest in faith who are persecuted for righteousness and have to hide their worship. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble and to keep oneself unspotted from the world (James 1:27).
To stay unspotted from the world, one must keep themselves covered with the precious Blood of the Lamb. There is no other way, no matter how good you are. With His blood covering us, we can come before the Throne of Grace with a clear conscience before God — being continually cleansed from the dirtiness of the world when under the authority of Christ. We move on hand-in-hand with the risen Christ, who can do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20), and use us to the fullest in exposing the unfruitful works of darkness (Ephesians 5:11). By standing firm in our faith and conviction of what is wicked before God, we show His love without being restrained by our self-centered insecurities or reservations. We are worthy to represent God not because we are perfect but because He is perfect inside us. It is God Himself who works in us both to will and to do for His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13).
