What To Do

I was reminded of the theory of ‘six degrees of separation’ when I read:

As the LORD commanded Moses his servant, so did Moses command Joshua, and so did Joshua; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moses. (Joshua 11:15 KJV)

Why? Because it only took two generations for people to bend the Lord’s commandments. In the very next book after Joshua, we’re told:

In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes. (Judges 17:6 KJV)

Didn’t take but a few generations more for Solomon to understand:

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. (Proverbs 12:15 KJV)

I remember my teenaged son telling me, “Mom, I have to make my own mistakes!” Along with my response, “Do you have to make them all?” Yes, it was more than tinged with sarcasm.

The example I used for him was a map. Why not use a map based on experience rather than travel from one place to another without one? As usual, that was an imperfect analogy. Which map is correct?

The Pharisees were spiritual leaders in Jesus’ time. Experienced in studying and applying scriptures, they were to set the example for others. Yet in Matthew 23, Jesus pretty much tells them off:

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. (Matthew 23:23 KJV)

That is an outright denunciation of specific actions by religious people here on earth, whereas in Matthew 25:31-46 He speaks of:

When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: (Matthew 25:31 KJV)

There’s more than thinking we’re right – there is being and doing right. All of these examples are addressed in John’s words:

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. (James 2:17-18 KJV)

So, I’m back to “What to do?” There are so many divisions between the world’s religions. Each of them have divisions within themselves. How can anyone possibly know what to do? Follow one and we are condemned by another. Ignore them all and live in denial? That doesn’t seem productive at all.

I extend an invitation to spend time with a book that tells of the beginning where God created the heavens and the earth. The book tells of His interaction with mankind, providing a people to be spoke-persons for Him across the ages, examples of faith as shown in Hebrews 11, where He inspired:

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6 KJV)

Get to know Him through His word. Speak to Him in faith and diligently seek Him. Discover Him before considering His rewards.