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Do you know what I have come to learn over the years? I have come to learn that we are a nation of justifications. We are as perpetual children, who grow in size, but rarely ever in spirit and spiritual maturity.

In spirit, we remain as children, so spoiled and prone to tantrums when things are not the way we want them to be. We don’t kick and scream [in most cases] as the toddlers may do, but we still have our ways of expressing the [brat] in ourselves.

If we decide we do not like someone for a particular reason, be it their skin tone, language, religion, etc., then we create reasons as to why we do not like this person simply to justify things and make it not seem too bad. We never care if we’re simply lying to ourselves and should instead face up to the real truths as to why we feel the way we feel for this individual – but the truth is too real and so we push it aside and bask in the comfort of our justifications.

Our justifications give us permission to hate, wage wars, Twist Scripture and the truths within its pages to fit into our own understanding and preference, and before we know it we have a world that is built on lies, half-truths, confusion, chaos, hatred, and disobedience on the highest level.

Look at Hollywood and the world of ‘reality’ it has created. This is a make-believe world that has been extremely successful in pulling so many into its way of thinking and perceiving.

We who live in the real world and know how it truly is have no qualms with leaving what we know to be true and adapt a world of make believe.

We have left our reality and have moved into the unreality of Hollywood and its concept of beauty, body image, loving, intimacy, friendship, parenting, Scriptural understanding, and treatment of one to another. This is how powerful a medium it is. Now we know what ‘HOT’ is once we are told what it is; what ‘gorgeous, sexy, thin, fat, young and old’ is once it has been revealed to us on screen and through the magazines – and after a while we lose sight, our sight of what is actually true. Truth is changed into lies and lies become truth.

But once again… we justify everything and tell ourselves that it’s all right because we’re comfortable in how things are, most of the populous feel the same way, and to meddle with the status quo would not be wise or popular. What an irony that is, ha? How on earth can wisdom and lies ever come together and make sense? They cannot.

I really think it’s time that we as human beings begin to look deeper, use our eyes and hearts to truly see all that is hidden from us due to the deceptions of this world, and start coming out of all the thoughts, lifestyles, and actions we discover to be wrong. If we discover that there is hatred or prejudice in our hearts after taking an honest look into ourselves… then we owe it to ourselves and our neighbour to make a change. If we discover that our spiritual walk with the Creator of all things has not been based on truth but on the popular view of what spirituality is, then this is the time to take a stand, make a stand, and stand up for what you know to be right. On the side of right there will always be a narrow group and a narrow road… but be strong enough to stand there all the same and be counted.

Why do you do what you do? Why do you believe as you believe? Why do you live as you live? What are the origins of the practises of your life that you hand down to your children from one generation to another? Are these practises based on truth or popular lies and justifications? Have you ever thought about this and wondered why you do the things you do? Have you ever taken the time to seek answers and truth surrounding these actions so you may be sure before doing them?

A man has a beautiful family to come home to. One day he decides to cheat on his wife with someone else. Once he is caught all the justifications in the world will be used to mask the real truth behind why he cheated. His wife did not understand him. His wife did not want to be intimate enough. The pressures of work made him do it. There is a list of justifications that may be used… when the truth of the matter is that this individual did what he did because he wanted to. He wanted to have his cake and eat it twice. This is the reality of the situation. He thought of himself and his pleasures and in his selfishness completely pushed aside his family and the consequences of what his actions would do to it. He did not count the cost but revelled in a few moments of so-called passion and excitement at the expense of his home and family.

We do the same scripturally. We are to PROVE ALL THINGS and HOLD STEADFAST ON WHAT IS GOOD… literally meaning to behave honourably, virtuously, and fairly… [1 Thessalonians 5:21], but instead we selfishly satisfy ourselves by cutting corners, making compromises, living how we want to live as opposed to how we are instructed to live… and we have done it for so long now that this is our reality and the only reality that makes sense to us. If truth is told to us at this point, we shy away from it, look for reasons to dispute it, become angry and defiant upon hearing it, and then as sheep we remain where we have always been – on the side of the in-crowd – and that narrow road remains there with fewer and fewer standing in its lane.

Aren’t we instructed to be separate from this world and its trappings and ways of thinking and living? (II Corinthians 6:17). Aren’t we instructed to renew our minds and not allow them to be contaminated by the ways of this world? (Romans 12:2). So why won’t be? Why aren’t we doing this? Why do we find it easier to conform to the world that to be transformed by the renewing of our minds so that we may truly grow into the human beings we were created to become?

We each, as individuals, have a duty to perform. No one else can do it for us. It is a responsibility that cannot be transferred to someone else acting on our behalf. Only you and I, as individuals, may fulfil this duty – and with the best of heart and mind.

To make things easier for us, we were given an example – a perfect example of how we are to live and think. Are you following this perfect example? Have you taken a closer look at the way this perfect example lived and behaved? Are your actions and thoughts living up to this level of excellence? Are you as obedient, or someone who is obedient only when it suits you? Are you changing with the times or standing firm on true Scriptural principles that cannot be altered no matter how much we justify things to bring them down to our level of thinking and being – to our comfort zones?

Are you doing as the Bereans? These were a group of truth seekers who “received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” (Acts 17:11). These people knew that whatever was taught to them had to be checked out and supported by Scripture before being considered truth. And when what they were told did not line up with Scripture… such information was pushed aside and discarded. These people were wise enough to know the rules of the LAW and that mankind do not have the authority to invent its own teachings about Scripture or to re-define what is already proven to be TRUTH.

So please… do this for me now. Look at all the things you are doing in terms of the way you are living your life and worshipping and then search the Scriptures just to be sure that everything is lining up correctly and that you are not replacing justifications with truth. And pray about things and ask for wisdom, understanding, strength, and courage to do what is good for you and your life as opposed to what may harm you and your loved ones and neighbours in the end.

We are all in this thing together. But as much as we are to come together in love and human-hood, still, we are to always remain individuals in terms of thoughts and deeds. We cannot afford to get caught up in a situation where the blind is leading the blind. Someone has to be the first to open his or her eyes and see, truly see. And we cannot do this without studying daily, having a yearning for truth and knowledge, and adapting a whole new sense of obedience. Spiritual laziness is not an option – not for you or for me.

WOW! I never meant to say this much, but I started writing and the rest just flowed from my heart. Whatever you believe in, all I ask is that you be sure. What we think or believe means nothing… what we actually KNOW is the key to truth and wisdom. So love yourselves and your neighbours. Be kind, helpful, humble, and forgiving. See yourself as above no one. We are all worthy and deserving. Walk alone if you are walking the narrow path of truth and doing what is right, because you are never alone… THOSE FOOTPRINTS are carrying you. Your right actions will set an example for others and they will join you with time. Be patient. Be understanding. Be obedient. Be happy, safe, and healthy.

All blessings to you and your loved ones,
Jackie