The Red Pill Awakening
Spirituality/Belief • Culture • Writing
The Divine Beginning:
Creation and Purpose
Michael A. Gentile
June 08, 2025
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The creation account in Genesis chapters 1–2 reveals God as the intentional and sovereign Creator who brings order, beauty, and purpose to the universe. He speaks light into darkness, separates the waters, forms the seasons, and crafts a world teeming with life. Humanity is the pinnacle of this creation, made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26–27) and given the sacred task of stewarding His creation (Genesis 2:15).
 
Genesis 1:1 sets the stage:
"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."
 
Each day of creation culminates in God’s declaration that it is “good". Genesis frames creation within God’s eternal plan, while Ecclesiastes 3:1–11 reflects on time’s seasons and humanity’s longing for eternity. This divine order imbues mankind with purpose: to live in communion with God, reflect His glory, and cultivate His world.
 
Humans are created with a capacity for transcendence, yearning for the Creator, and humankind are the creators of their history. Some are wicked and some are good.
 
Genesis shows God imposing His order and purpose on the chaos of the void (Genesis 1:2–3). And this is affirmed in Ecclesiastes 3:11
"He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart."
 
God's creation retains an inherent beauty and purpose, even if humans struggle to grasp it fully. The Preacher recognizes that God’s created order retains its inherent goodness, even as humans grapple with understanding it.
In Genesis, humanity’s purpose is rooted in communion with God and stewardship of His creation (Genesis 2:15–17). Ecclesiastes reaffirms this, concluding that true meaning lies in fearing God (Ecclesiastes 12:13). Both books suggest that life apart from God, whether through disobedience (The fall of mankind), or chasing worldly pursuits (vanity), all of these ungodly things leads to futility.
 
Mankind’s history takes a tragic turn in Genesis 3 with the Fall to sin. Disobedience to God’s command fractures the harmony of creation, introducing sin and death (Genesis 3:17–19). The communion with God is strained, and the stewardship of creation becomes toil. This disruption sets the stage for the human struggle that Ecclesiastes laments.
 
Ecclesiastes 1:2
"Vanity of vanities, all is vanity”
 
This captures the futility that permeates life "under the sun" when separated from God’s purpose. The chasing of worldly pursuits; pleasure, wealth, wisdom, chasing the wind mirrors the rebellion of Genesis 3, where mankind seeks autonomy apart from God, only to find emptiness. Yet, even in this brokenness, both Genesis and Ecclesiastes hint at hope through the promise of redemption as the enemies of God are crushed.
 
Genesis 3:15
"I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel."
 
Ecclesiastes 3:11
"He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end."
 
In time mankind began to invoke the name of the Lord. Genesis 4:26 marks a significant moment:
"At that time people began to call upon the name of the Lord."
 
After the Fall, amidst growing wickedness (Cain’s murder of Abel, Genesis 4:8), some turn back to God, seeking Him in worship. This act of invoking God’s name signifies a return to the Creator, a recognition of humanity’s dependence on Him.
 
But a pattern emerges as humanity’s history unfolds. By the time of the patriarchs and beyond, idolatry becomes prevalent, as seen in the nations surrounding Israel. Ecclesiastes reflects on this human tendency to chase after fleeting things, which can be seen as a form of idolatry. The Preacher critiques the pursuit of wealth, pleasure, or human wisdom as "vanity". Yet, Ecclesiastes 12:13 offers the antidote:
"Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man."
 
This call to true worship mirrors Genesis 4:26, urging humanity to invoke God’s name rather than turn to false gods. Mankind’s history, as seen through Genesis and Ecclesiastes, is a story of tension between worshiping the true God and building idols.
 
Abel’s acceptable offering (Genesis 4:4), Enoch’s walk with God (Genesis 5:24), and Noah’s obedience (Genesis 6:9) reflect hearts turned toward God. Cain’s violence, Lamech’s pride (Genesis 4:23–24), and the widespread wickedness before the Flood (Genesis 6:5) foreshadow humanity’s inclination to elevate self or created things above God.
The Preacher reflects that all human endeavors "under the sun" fall short without God (Ecclesiastes 1:14). Whether literal (statues) or figurative (wealth, and power), all idols are a misguided attempt at filling the "eternity" in our hearts by our own means.
 
Both Bible books teach us that true meaning lies in fearing God, invoking His name, and aligning with His eternal purpose. It seems as if there is a divine purpose in it all.
 
Ecclesiastes 2:11
"Then I considered all that my hands had done…and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind."
 
The fall of mankind introduced a rival impulse: to build idols and placing our trust in fleeting things. Today, we face the same choice: will we invoke God’s name, living for His glory, or build idols that cannot satisfy?
The origins of idolatry can certainly be traced to as far back as the Fall of mankind, but there is much more going on here. Ecclesiastes reflects on this duality, observing that humanity’s pursuits often mirror idolatry.
 
Ecclesiastes 5:10
"He who loves money will not be satisfied with money"
 
And for that matter also pleasure, which becomes an idol when it replaces God as the source of our meaning.
Theologically speaking, idolatry originates in the misdirection of worship.
 
Romans 1:21-23
"For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him…and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things."
 
This exchange, rooted in the Fall, begins when humanity elevates self or creation above the Creator.
 
In Genesis, God created us to worship Him, reflecting His glory in a world declared "good." But the Fall turned our hearts toward idolatry, seeking meaning in self or created things. Ancient idolatry often involved tangible objects; statues, altars, or celestial bodies. These were worshiped for fertility, power, and security, reflecting a misplaced trust in the creation over the Creator. The Preacher of Ecclesiastes broadens idolatry to include intangible pursuits. The Preacher calls chasing pleasure, wealth, or wisdom a vanity, akin to worshiping false gods that promise meaning but deliver futility.
 
Modern idolatry involves physical statues but also manifests in intangible pursuits such as; obsession with wealth, possessions, fame, social approval, and clinging to political, social, or cultural ideologies as ultimate truth, replacing God’s authority. In our secular age, modern idols are often socially acceptable, even celebrated. And unlike ancient idols, which were overtly religious, modern idols are subtle, embedded into our lifestyles or institutionalized as our traditions and values.
 
Ancient people crafted idols of wood or stone; today, we chase wealth, status, or self-image, yet both lead to emptiness. Genesis 4:26 reminds us to call on God’s name, and Ecclesiastes 12:13 urges us to fear Him. In our world, idols are everywhere; screens, success, or approval. Let’s recognize these false gods, repent, and worship the Creator who placed eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11), finding our true purpose in Him.
What in your life; money, career, social media, competes with God?
Pray for clarity to identify these things.
 
Finding Our True Purpose
We live in a society today that has been conditioned to accept the fact that we are no longer a Christian people. And there is nothing new about that under the sun.
 
Acts 4:8-10
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by him this man is standing before you well."
 
Think about what Peter is doing. Peter didn't need to explain in these details. He didn't need to point out to the Sadducees that it was they who killed Jesus. But Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, held them to account for their evil deeds.
 
"Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified"
 
And this bold statement blew their minds.
 
These are just a bunch of backwater fishermen...
"[They] perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus."
 
How did these "educated" men recognize them as Christ followers?
 
Maybe it was this?
 
Peter shares the gospel:
Acts 4:11-12
"This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
 
One of the ways our culture marginalizes faithful Christians is to trot out marginal Christians as a form of a more "reasonable" representation of Christianity that isn't narrowminded and who aren't a bunch of backwater idiots spewing nonsense. The intelligentsia will mock faithful Christians who hold conservative views about challenges to cultural norms like genderqueer identities. They'll mock faithful Christians for following the belief that marriage is between a man and a woman. They'll marginalize and vilify conservative Christians for being bigoted and hateful because they aren't being like these "other Christians". And these enlightened rulers and authorities won't tolerate them and their supporters. These politicians and agents of the state will not accept neutrality.
 
And so, these authorities conspire to clamp down on the Christian community:
Acts 4:17-18
"in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name." So, they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.
 
So many moderate Christians are under the delusion that if we just keep to ourselves and act in ways that doesn't make others uncomfortable or feel threatened, they'll just leave us alone. Until that day when you're out amongst the masses and they're trotting out their perversions as normal and they begin to force you to call it good. They force you to name your pronouns and respect theirs. They force you to believe their evolution theory. They force you to accept marriage as defined by their secularism. They force you to accept their culture of death. And when you don't play along, you're an idiot.
 
Neutrality is not an option. They'll pump your children full with their ideology. They'll marginalize you even among them.
 
Why?
Why will they do these things?
It's because at the end of the day their worldview is atheistic, they don't believe there is a God.
 
"But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name."
 
They weren't complaining that Peter and company were healing people. They weren't even complaining that they were meanspirited or violent. They wanted "this name" to be silenced.
 
"So, they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus."
 
There is no neutrality allowed for Christians who are faithful to God's teachings and purpose. Oh sure, they'll tolerate Christian's who don't preach "this name". They'll even elect as their representative's, people who quote the bible, but they won't preach that name.
 
Why? What is it about that name?
 
Because if Jesus is who he says he is, there's no way to avoid worshipping and listening to him. We can't avoid obeying his word. We won't be able to mingle with the secular systems anymore. You can't avoid the truth when the name is invoked. And it's this age-old tension that has been marginalizing people since the beginning.
What did Peter and the others do? What was their response?
 
Did they say among themselves, "It’s okay, we'll just witness in our lifestyles", or "preach the gospel, and when necessary, use words"?
 
No, they said:
Acts 4:19-20
But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard."
 
They acknowledged and respected the authority of the Sadducees, but they could not and would not deny what they knew to be true.
 
Many Christian people try to oblige the Sadducees of their times. They keep their religion to themselves, marginalized to their buildings and to whatever jewelry they're wearing around their necks. And there's no gospel getting out. They'll borrow Christian principles and viewpoints when it helps them, but always leaving the gospel behind. It's for them, and for any who will come and fit into that marginalized community circles.
 
Acts 4:21
"And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened."
 
They let them go their way. They didn't approve of the message or it's founder. But for now, it's expedient to keep the peace.
 
Even so, they won't allow for neutrality. They'll keep threatening you. They'll continue to come at you. They'll take your things. They'll cancel your lives. They'll murder you. Eventually you'll end up dead. They will make you dead for deadnaming them. And that's what this is really about. Jesus' name calls them out and they hate that. They hate Him and they hate you because of Him.
 
What do they want from you?
 
We already know, they want you to stop speaking His name [Jesus].
 
And the enemy of the truth is a slick dude. He'll even get you to come around to his thinking by being welcoming to you. He'll try and make you comfortable. They'll give you positions of authority. They'll make you one of them. They'll put you at ease. No persecution. Instead of killing you they'll make you feel like you're in Christ when you're into their secularism. Just don't teach or preach that name and you'll get the robes and mantles decked out in rainbow colors. Just mingle Jesus' name with Buddha and Mohammed and you'll get the honor of giving the blessing at the dinners. Just stand up and wave their Pride flag from the pulpits and you'll be fine.
 
From the beginning it's been like this. Today the authorities are offering acceptance, comfort, or even authority to Christians who compromise by blending Jesus’ name with secular or pluralistic ideologies. This tactic echoes the idolatry warned against in Ecclesiastes, where pursuits like wealth, pleasure, or human approval (Ecclesiastes 5:10) become modern idols that promise fulfillment but deliver vanity. The apostles’ response in Acts 4:19–20 rejects this compromise, prioritizing obedience to God over human approval, even under threat.
 
Today we face too many challenges to our faith, too many competing ideas. Modern idols like money, career, and social media often compete with God by demanding our time, identity, and allegiance. And the enemy is using all of it to get what he wants. He's breeding discontent while promoting security. He's redefining your purpose in Christ by redefining your faith. He's injecting ambition into your heart redefining your purpose and he's making success into a false god. He's playing on the pursuit of likes, followers, or influence, echoing Romans 1:23’s exchange of God’s glory for fleeting images.
 
These idols are being subtly embedded into our lifestyles and celebrated by the culture.
 
So, what can we do?
 
Dedicate time to worship or pray, re-centering on God’s name. Speak Jesus’ name in a small act of courage. Take one intentional step to proclaim Jesus’ name, perhaps sharing a biblical truth with a friend or colleague, even if it risks discomfort, as Peter and John did. This could be as simple as explaining why you prioritize faith or gently standing firm on a biblical conviction when pressured to conform. This act aligns with Genesis 4:26’s call to invoke God’s name and Ecclesiastes 12:13’s exhortation to fear Him, countering the cultural push to silence Jesus’ name. And believe me, there are marginalized Christians out there that are frightened and wishing you would speak up. Be strong, be bold, be the example.
 
Prioritize faith over ambition. The creation account in Genesis 1–2 establishes that humanity’s purpose is to live in communion with God, reflect His glory, and steward His creation. This purpose is inherently relational, rooted in worship and obedience to the Creator. Ambition, when it seeks personal glory over God’s, becomes a form of idolatry, misdirecting the "eternity" God placed in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Ambition for wealth, status, or power, when divorced from God’s purpose, leads to futility (Ecclesiastes 5:10). Faith, however, anchors us in God’s eternal design, ensuring our pursuits align with His glory rather than our own.
 
Jesus Himself reinforces this in Matthew 6:33,
"Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
 
The temptation is to compromise, to blend faith with cultural norms to avoid conflict. Prioritizing faith over ambition means rejecting this compromise, boldly proclaiming Jesus’ name, and trusting God’s purpose over worldly success. To prioritize faith over ambition requires intentional choices that re-center life on God. Evaluate your priorities, set boundaries, pursue godly ambitions that aren't really just a lie. And practice bold faith.
 
Begin every day with a prayer of surrender. Thank God for His eternal design and seeking His kingdom first. Before checking emails, social media, or work tasks, spend 5–10 minutes praying, thanking God for His eternal design. Commit one specific ambition, perhaps a career goal or social media habit, to God, asking, "How can this serve Your kingdom?"
Meditate on Ecclesiastes 3:11. And thank God for His beautiful creation and the eternity He’s placed in your heart. Choose one practical way to honor God today. Spend time in prayer or worship, calling on God as the source of all meaning. By evaluating your priorities, setting boundaries, and pursuing godly ambition, you reject the idols of money, career, and social approval, fulfilling your created purpose to reflect God’s glory.
 
Remember, there's no neutrality allowed for Christians who are faithful. So, let’s choose faith, call on God’s name (Genesis 4:26), and seek His kingdom first, trusting that He makes "everything beautiful in its time" (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
 
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
You are the sovereign Creator who spoke light into darkness and placed eternity in our hearts. We thank You for Your beautiful design, revealed in Genesis, and Your call to fear and worship You alone, as Ecclesiastes teaches. Forgive us for chasing vain ambitions; money, career, or approval, that compete with You. Grant us clarity to identify these idols and courage, like Peter and John, to proclaim Jesus’ name boldly, even under pressure. Help us prioritize faith over ambition, re-centering our lives on Your purpose. May we seek Your kingdom first, trusting in Your redemption and living for Your glory.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Michael A. Gentile@MicahSixEight
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Michael A. Gentile@MicahSixEight
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From Transactional Works to Transformative Love:
Knowing God’s Heart
Galatians 5:4
"You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace."
Thinking you've got to do something for God in order to deserve something from God, feels like a transactional love.
Let me ask you a question...if you don't hear those words (well done) from Jesus, would you still love Him?
Galatians 5:4 warns against seeking justification through the law, which cuts us off from Christ and His grace. Reducing a relationship with Jesus to a checklist of deeds, is not a gift rooted in Christ’s sacrifice. When someone does this they make an idol of themselves and their works. They are in effect saying their deeds are greater than Christ's sacrifice and love.
 
Relying on the law for justification severs us from Christ’s grace.
 
Why?
 
Because Christ's glory cannot have an effect upon us while we're still living in our own works of self-righteousness. It shifts our trust from His finished work to our own efforts. What if the virgins whose oil ran out were too busy practicing their self-righteous works, what if they forgot to fill up with God's love while they were working to fulfill their perceived religious duties.
 
When we make an idol of our works, we’re essentially declaring our self-righteousness sufficient, which dims the radiance of Christ’s glory in our lives. His grace can’t transform us while we’re clinging to the illusion that our deeds outshine His sacrifice. It’s like trying to earn a gift that’s already been freely given; our self-focus blocks the reality of His love and power.
 
Q: Why do people do this?
A: Unbelief. Because some will always fall back into self-preservation and performance. The enemy has convinced them that sin is so powerful that Christ could not forgive it, defeat it, or defend against it.
 
Think about this. If Christ can't defeat sin, even with forgiveness alone, with mercy, then He is not worthy to be called our Savior. You adopt this attitude, and you are saying Jesus is not worthy, he's not a perfect sacrifice. It's a subtle but profound rejection of Christ’s sufficiency.
 
People fall into this trap because the enemy exploits our human tendency toward self-preservation and prideful performance, whispering that sin’s power is too great for Christ’s sacrifice to fully cover. This lie leads to a mindset where we feel we must earn God’s favor, as if our works could outdo the cross.
 
Q: You want to know when true repentance and born again faith happens?
A: When your dependence upon yourself runs out. When your supply of self-sufficiency comes to end.
Born from above, salvation from dead works, happens when our self-dependence and self-sufficiency are exhausted. When we hit the end of our own resources, when we realize our works can’t save us, that’s when we surrender to Christ’s sufficiency. It’s in that moment of humility and brokenness that we truly grasp the power of His cross and are reborn by faith in Him alone.
 
Q: What is this thing, "dead works"?
A: Doing something, sometimes militantly, to get God to do something for you. It's spirituality without love for God. Maybe it's a love for the law. It's a desire to perform your love to earn God's grace.
 
Hebrews 6:1
"Therefore, let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God."
Dead works are not just futile efforts but a misdirected affection that prioritizes self-effort or legalism over a genuine relationship with God. As Hebrews 6:1 urges, believers must repent from "dead works" as a foundational step toward spiritual maturity.
 
Acting like what you think a Christian should act "to get God to do something for you" reflects a quid-pro-quo mindset, treating God like a vending machine rather than a loving Father. It's transactional love, not transformative love. Rigid rule-keeping, compulsive service, or ritualistic devotion to prove worthiness lacks the heart of worship, driven instead by duty, fear, or pride. A "love for the law" suggests an idolatrous fixation on rules or performance, where the law becomes a substitute for Christ’s grace. It's revealing the contradiction; grace, by definition, cannot be earned, yet dead works chase this impossible goal.
 
Let's look closer into why people fall into this trap:
 
1. Unbelief in Christ’s Sufficiency: The enemy convinces people that sin’s power outstrips Christ’s sacrifice, so they must add their own efforts to "secure" salvation. This leads to a "love for the law" as a false savior. This deception drives individuals to supplement Christ’s work with their own efforts. This lie creates a spiritual insecurity, prompting people to "add" their own efforts to ensure their standing with God. The enemy’s deception preys on human vulnerabilities, amplifying doubts about God’s grace. The enemy exaggerates sin’s power, making it seem unconquerable. The fear that "I’m not good enough" or "God won’t accept me" drives people to perform. Some view God as a harsh judge rather than a loving Father, assuming He demands constant proof of worthiness. The enemy reinforces this by twisting scriptures to emphasize law over love, obscuring God’s character as revealed in Christ (John 3:16-18). They forget that Christ did not come to condemn.
 
2. Fear of Losing Favor: The militant drive to perform often comes from fear; fear of God’s rejection or not being "enough." This fuels a transactional approach: "If I do this, God must respond." The fear of losing God’s favor stems from a deep-seated insecurity about our standing with Him. This leads to a transactional approach to faith: "If I do this (pray enough, serve enough, obey enough), God must respond (love me, bless me, save me)." This mindset is the essence of dead works; efforts devoid of love for God, rooted in fear rather than faith, and disconnected from the grace of Christ’s finished work. It's a distorted view of Christ's character. The enemy exploits this, sowing doubts about God’s unconditional love.
Remember always: 1 John 4:18
"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear"
 
3. Pride in Performance: A "desire to perform your love" can stem from pride, where people want to take credit for their righteousness rather than rely on Christ’s. It's showcase faith. Pride rejects the humility required to accept grace, insisting on earning salvation to maintain control. This desire to "perform your love" refuses to admit dependence on Christ’s sacrifice. Pride is a core aspect of fallen human nature, seeking self-exaltation over God’s glory (Romans 3:23 "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"). Many church cultures celebrate self-reliance and accomplishment, fostering a mindset where value is tied to performance. This spills into faith, where people assume God’s favor must be earned through impressive (sainthood) works.
 
4. Cultural Conditioning: Many are taught that love must be earned, so they project this onto God, assuming His grace requires payment through works. Cultural conditioning shapes our worldview, often teaching that love, acceptance, and value are contingent on our worldly and Church performance. These church-culture works are driven by a need to earn love and lacks worship, producing the "dead" quality of Hebrews 6:1. At the heart of it, these faith practices lack love for God. Example: Performing religious duties out of obligation feels hollow, missing the joy of a grace-based relationship with God. And without love all these works are like a clanging gong. All noise no substance, no love.
 
5. Lack of Intimacy with God: "Spirituality without love for God" is key. Without a deep, personal relationship with Him, people default to rules or rituals, mistaking activity for devotion. Loveless, performance-based faith. Believing God is primarily a judge leads to performing duties to appease Him, not seeking His heart. A believer might read the Bible daily but skim it as a task, missing the chance to hear God’s voice. It's faith without the hope of salvation, often tied to a faith that isn't anticipating Christ's return. A church that prioritizes church attendance or tithing over personal prayer and anticipating Christ's return can condition believers to equate activity with church devotion. Feeling unworthy to approach God in anticipating prayer, a believer might overcompensate with charitable acts to feel more righteous and thereby earn their reward. The enemy promotes this performance-based faith, making catechism feel more reliable than a vulnerable faith connection with God's word. Some believers never learn how to cultivate direct intimacy with God, especially if their faith community focuses on external practices. Growing up in a tradition heavy on liturgy but light on personal devotion can leave someone unsure how to relate to God personally. This is the danger of both orthodoxy and fundamentalism. Without a deep, personal relationship with God, people default to rules or rituals. Believers perform spiritual duties; prayer, church attendance, fasting, out of obligation, not love, treating them as checkboxes to maintain God’s favor. Praying a set number of minutes daily to "stay right with God," without engaging the heart in worship. This is the "love for the law" I spoke about earlier. Obsessively tracking church involvement to feel spiritually secure, rather than seeking God’s presence. It brings to mind the Pharisees who embody the pitfalls of a loveless, performance-driven faith. Prioritizing ritual over heart.
 
Modern "Pharisees" might enforce strict rules (e.g., orthodox ritualistic worship, self-righteous dress codes, traditional behavior standards) over grace, fostering a "love for the law" that sidelines intimacy with the word of God.
To avoid the Pharisees’ error and cultivate intimacy with God, believers need to know God.
 
Q: How do you "know God"?
A: Let's see if the word of God can help...
Jeremiah 9:24
"Let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness."
So right away we see that God shifts the focus from the believer toward Him. It's about engaging with God as a loving Father, not a distant judge, through prayer, worship, and trust.
 
John 17:3
"This is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."
Spirituality must be rooted in love for God. Knowing Him fuels this love, making works a response to His grace, not a payment for it. Knowing God changes us, aligning our desires with His and producing fruit through the Spirit, not dead works (John 15:4-5). Unlike the Pharisees, who relied on law, knowing God means resting in Christ’s finished work (the resurrection and the anticipation of his return).
 
The Pharisees doubted God’s grace, relying on law over relationship. Their pride sought self-glory, not God’s heart.
Jesus used a parable to describe this:
Luke 18:9-12
He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: "Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’
It was cultural conditioning. Their tradition taught that righteousness was earned, projecting this onto God. Knowing God would have shifted their focus from dead works to a faith rooted in love.
 
How to "Know God" and Cultivate Intimacy
 
Prayer is a two-way conversation, not a ritual to earn favor. Share your heart with God and listen for His voice.
Philippians 4:6-7
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Pause to reflect, asking, "Lord, what do You want me to know?"
Read the Bible to know God’s character, not just rules. Approach it as His revelation of Himself, seeking His heart.
Psalm 119:105
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."
In your devotion ask God, "What does this reveal about God’s love, mercy, or faithfulness?" Journal insights to deepen understanding.
 
Q: Do you love worship?
 
Worship in love for Christ, not from a sense of duty. Worship through songs of love, prayers of thanksgiving, and reflection upon the gospels, and expressing your love for God, focusing on His goodness rather than performance. Unlike the Pharisees’ empty rituals, worship from love fosters intimacy, making works a response to God’s glory, not a transaction.
 
The Holy Spirit (not idols like temples, cathedrals, vestments and furniture) reveals God’s heart and empowers intimacy. Before your worship, your prayers, or your devotion to scripture, pray, "Holy Spirit, show me God’s love and truth." Be open to His nudges, like a sense of peace or conviction. Ask the Spirit to help you regularly examine your heart, confessing specific sins or fears in prayer. Thank God for His grace, accepting His love without earning it.
 
Conclusion:
Jesus said,
"Abide in me, and I in you" (John 15:4-5).
And the apostle whom Jesus loved wrote:
1 John 4:7
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God."
This verse powerfully connects to our discussion about knowing God to cultivate intimacy and avoid the Pharisees’ error of dead works. What Jesus taught they were lacking was love. Love for God and love for one another. They were trapped in a transactional relationship with God.
 
1 John 4:7 emphasizes that love is the hallmark of knowing God, as it originates from Him and is evidence of being "born of God." To know God is to experience and reflect His love, which is the essence of a personal relationship with Him. The Pharisees missed this mark, and Jesus said of them, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others."
 
Justice reflects God’s righteousness and commitment to fairness, equity, and care for the oppressed. It involves living rightly with others, upholding God’s moral order, and advocating for those who are wronged (Micah 6:8). The Pharisees practiced a superficial justice, focusing on outward compliance with the law. They neglected the poor, the marginalized, and sinners, judging them harshly instead of seeking their restoration.
 
Mercy is God’s compassionate forgiving love, extended to the undeserving, reflecting His grace and willingness to withhold judgment. It involves showing kindness, forgiveness, and empathy, especially to the broken or sinful. The Pharisees lacked mercy, condemning sinners rather than extending grace. Their rigid adherence to the law left no room for compassion, as they saw themselves as superior, not in need of mercy.
 
Faithfulness is steadfast trust in God and loyalty to His covenant, expressed through a life of obedience rooted in love, not duty. I see it as "anticipation" of Christ's return and a living faith that experiences Christ's Spirit even now. Faithfulness is a dynamic, forward-looking love for God.
 
Viewing faithfulness as "anticipation" connects it to our eschatological hope, where believers live with eager expectation of Christ’s second coming.
Titus 2:13
"Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ"
This hope fuels obedience, not to earn favor, but to align with God’s kingdom. This makes faithfulness active and relational, not a static rule-following, producing works that are alive, not "dead".
 
By grounding our faithfulness in love, we echo 1 John 4:7’s link between knowing God and loving, ensuring spirituality avoids the Pharisees’ transactional mindset. This view transforms faithfulness from the Pharisees’ external, loveless adherence to law into a dynamic, Spirit-filled relationship that anticipates Christ’s return while living in His presence now in love.
 
Food for thought:
How do you see modern believers missing this kind of faithfulness; perhaps in routine faith practices or church cultures that lack anticipation or Spirit-filled life?
 
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
We come before You with humble hearts, seeking to know You deeply and love You truly. Forgive us when we fall into the trap of transactional love, striving to earn what You freely give through Christ’s perfect sacrifice. Lord, we confess our unbelief, fear, pride, and the cultural conditioning that makes us think Your love must be earned. Break the enemy’s lies that sin is too great for Your cross, and help us trust in Christ’s sufficiency. Holy Spirit, guide us to abide in Jesus. Teach us to pursue justice by caring for the oppressed, to show mercy to the undeserving, and to live faithfully with eager hope, free from the Pharisees’ loveless spirituality. When our self-sufficiency runs dry, lead us to surrender, finding new life in Your grace. We pray this in the name of Jesus, our Savior, who calls us to know and love Him forever. Amen.
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Michael A. Gentile@MicahSixEight
June 15, 2025
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Speak, Lord:
Hearing Jesus’ Voice Through Visions and Scripture in the Last Days
John 10:27
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me."
Hearing leads to following. Hearing Jesus’ voice is a privilege of belonging to Him. It’s not a distant command but a personal call rooted in love and mutual knowledge. The Greek word for "listen" (ἀκούω, akouō) implies not just hearing but heeding or obeying. It suggests active, attentive listening. Sheep recognize their shepherd’s unique voice amidst the others. Similarly, Jesus’ followers discern His voice; through His teachings, the Holy Spirit, or Scripture, because they belong to Him. This listening is relational, rooted in trust and familiarity, developed through ongoing communion with Christ. And in this communion, there is "knowing". Jesus’ knowledge of His sheep is personal and intimate, experiential understanding, akin to the mutual knowledge between the Father and Son (John 10:15). Distinguishing Jesus’ voice from others (false teachers, worldly noise) requires spiritual sensitivity, cultivated through prayer, Scripture, and the Holy Spirit. In a world full of competing voices (media, opinions, doubts, and fears), test what you hear against Jesus’ teachings and character.
 
But What About ACTUALLY Hearing from Jesus?
 
The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in helping believers hear Jesus’ voice, acting as the divine intermediary who bridges the gap between Christ and His followers.
 
John 14:26
"The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."
 
The Holy Spirit illuminates Jesus’ teachings, bringing His words to life in our hearts. When we read Scripture or recall Jesus’ words, the Spirit helps us understand their meaning and relevance, making Jesus’ voice clear and personal. The Spirit tunes our hearts to discern God’s voice, much like a sheep learns to recognize the shepherd’s call (John 10:27). He softens our hearts, removes spiritual dullness, and fosters intimacy with Jesus. The Spirit acts as Jesus’ mouthpiece, relaying His truth and will. By conveying what Jesus desires for us to know, the Spirit ensures believers hear the Good Shepherd’s voice in a way that glorifies Him.
 
John 16:13-14
"When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you."
The Spirit convict's believers of sin, aligns them with Jesus’ righteousness, and guides them in practical decisions, helping them follow Jesus’ voice. In our trials, the Shepherd’s voice reassures us of His nearness. The Spirit conveys this presence, helping us hear God’s comfort amidst our fear's. God provides His comfort and peace abundantly despite opposition. His Spirit's anointing signifies honor and blessing; and He freely brings an overflowing cup of excessive provision.
 
1 Corinthians 2:10-12
"The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God…No one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is…the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us."
 
The Holy Spirit enhances this posture of listening by enabling you to recognize Jesus’ voice, much as Samuel learned to discern God’s call. The Spirit prepares your heart to say, "Speak, Lord," and equips you to respond faithfully.
 
1 Samuel 3:10
"Speak, for your servant is listening."
 
Samuel’s response models for us the posture of readiness that the Spirit cultivates. The Spirit prepares us to listen humbly and respond faithfully to Jesus’ call.
 
Like Samuel, approach God with humility. Ask: What might be hindering my ability to hear Jesus today? Many aren't hindered really, they are likely very intimately involved in a relationship with God's word and that's enough to achieve the Lord's work in them. And others? They're probably lost in other things and need goading. Maybe they need a radical call. Whatever the situation, the Lord isn't limited by apostolic cessation. If He needs to speak He will. To image our Lord is somehow incapable of that is nonsensical.
 
What Can We Do to Be Open to Hearing from God?
 
Sit in a comfortable, distraction-free place. Maybe light a candle, (I don't), or play soft worship music, (I don't), or listen/read the Bible or expository commentary on the Bible. But ready your mind for listening and hearing a word from God.
 
Pray:
"Holy Spirit, prepare my heart to hear Jesus’ voice. Lord, speak for your servant. Open my heart to Your Scriptures, peace, dreams, visions, or promptings. Help me trust Jesus’ knowledge of me. Amen."
 
Take a few deep breaths, release your tension. Imagine Jesus, the Good Shepherd, calling you by name in His intimate knowledge of you, your joys, struggles, and needs. And then consider how hearing leads to action. Open yourself up to these thoughts and meditate on them in silence. Close your eyes and visualize this scene. Hear Jesus say your name; softly, warmly, and with care. Let the Spirit bring His voice to life. If it helps, imagine a peaceful setting, like the green pastures of Psalm 23. Rest in the moment, trusting that Jesus knows you intimately.
 
Now, bring to mind one joy, one struggle, and one need in your life.
 
For each, say:
"Jesus, You know my [joy/struggle/need]. Speak to me about it."
 
This isn't a rote recitation of a mantra, this is you being honest and open to hearing from God. Trust the Spirit to convey Jesus’ understanding, perhaps through a Scripture, a sense of peace, dreams and visions, or a gentle prompting.
 
Say aloud or in your heart:
"Jesus, You know my joy. Speak to me about it."
 
And listen in silence for a prompting. Maybe a scripture will come to mind. Maybe not even in that moment, maybe in the next day or several days later as the Spirit finds the avenue in you by which to reveal The Lord's will.
 
When I meditate, I have expository sermons and meditations playing as a background for my time of devotion. For instance, I'll turn on Spotify while driving throughout the day, or early in the AM before I start my day. And there I have many teachers podcasts that I follow. I'll start these programs and allow them to enrich my meditation as I search the scriptures in my thoughts. Expository sermons are a form of preaching that focuses on explaining and applying a specific passage of Scripture in its context, aiming to convey the original meaning and intent of the biblical text to the listener. These sermons involve a detailed, verse-by-verse or passage-by-passage explanation of Scripture, prioritizing the text’s original meaning, historical context, and theological significance. These sermons are anchored in a single passage or book, often preached systematically. And likewise, my devotional writing follows this same line of systematic thought.
Often, I'll have already received a focus scripture from my prayer time or interactions earlier in the week that I search to hear messages about. Allowing these Spirit-led teachers to help open up the scripture will enrich the word from God that you hear. The devotion writing unpacks the meaning of the text for me, often addressing grammar, word meanings, or theological themes. This is how I've always learned, by writing. I've always been a great note taker, and I learn by writing what I hear. I learn best when I'm scribbling, drawing, just moving a pencil on a page. I don't know why, I just know it works that way with me.
 
Try journaling. Write down what you sense/hear. For example: "My joy is [describe]. I sensed Jesus saying [note Scripture, feeling, or prompting]." This activity for me has evolved over the years into a daily verse by verse devotional writing through the entire Bible. It started with my lay ministry studies and became "a thing" for me when I was leading as the prayer coordinator in my local church.
 
For me this practice of using the background teaching was an attempt to drown out the tinnitus I suffer from. Music was too distracting and soft meditative sounds weren't enough, though I've experienced revelation through music. So, I use the preaching and teaching to mellow the mood and the tinnitus, but often I find that I'll hear a related timely message chime through teaching.
 
If you use Spotify, select a playlist with trusted teachers (expository sermons or devotional podcasts) or a specific message related to your focus Scripture (e.g. John 10:27 or another from your prayer time). Start the audio at a low volume to enrich without overwhelming your thoughts.
 
Pray:
"Holy Spirit, tune my heart to hear Jesus’ voice. Guide me through Your Word, peace, dreams, visions, or promptings. Use these Spirit-led teachings to open the Scriptures. I say, ‘Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.’ Amen."
 
By focusing on the text, expository listening lets God’s Word speak directly to you, helping you hear Jesus’ voice as the Spirit illuminates the passage. Practice testing these promptings against Jesus’ character and align this time of study with expository teaching, emphasizing sound doctrine. Theological depth equips you to distinguish Jesus’ voice from "worldly noise".
 
Speaking of "noise", there are many competing voices out there on the spectrum of dreams and visions. Many believe they have experienced these manifestations of The Spirit, and many others completely reject the idea that we are still hearing from God through prophets, apostles, dreams and visions. The spectrum of beliefs, ranging from those who embrace dreams and visions as ongoing manifestations of the Spirit to those who reject them as ceased with the apostolic era, creates a complex landscape for believers to navigate. And we could write many books about the subject. But as for me, I know the Spirit still speaks in these ways. I've personally experienced a waking vision and revelation in which I heard the voice of God speak directly to me. So, for me it's kind of one of those things, I can't deny what I already know to be true.
 
So, what do I know?
 
Dreams and visions are supernatural experiences through which God communicates with His people, often involving visual or symbolic imagery, messages, or impressions. I'd say that I've experienced all the above in several different situations.
 
From Joseph’s dream of divine favor (Genesis 37:5-9) and Daniel’s symbolic dreams (Daniel 7:1-28), to Peter’s vision of clean animals (Acts 10:9-16) and Paul’s vision of the Macedonian man (Acts 16:9), God has personally visited people with answers to heartfelt questions and concerns. And even speaking directly to them. Don't be fooled, the Devil ha spoken as well, through mystics and so called "saints".
 
In Acts 2:17 The Lord’s Scripture says,
"In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people...your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams"
 
This promise, fulfilled at Pentecost, I believe, extends into the church age. And believe me, I understand the difficulties in believing this. I've known lifelong pastors and missionaries who have served Jesus with everything they have but have never experienced The Holy Spirit outside a religious context like in the sacredness of a ritualistic moment or devise. I would believe likewise if it weren't for my own personal experience. Not hearing directly from God isn't a problem and doesn't somehow diminish ones faith. In fact, I might argue that people of great faith don't need to hear directly from God.
 
Dreams and Visions:
There are specific manifestations of the Spirit’s outpouring, alongside prophecy. These manifestations should glorify Christ and especially reinforce His intimate knowledge of you. In one instance, in my case, I heard in a vision God speak, "I was there, I heard your prayer, and I'm answering it." The context was a vision of myself as a small boy. I had climbed to the top of my favorite climbing tree (a large silver Maple in the backyard). I was very troubled, upset about my sequestered life of loneliness and abuse. I was crying out to my mother who I never knew and to God. I cried out for a family. For a family like all my friends had. I remember I bawled my eyes out. But I had forgotten about that prayer so long ago. I was 40 when I remembered that prayer. I was given a vision of myself in that tree. And I heard God speak those words, "I was there, I heard your prayer, and I'm answering it."
 
Immediately upon hearing that I was given a vision of my own family, my children, my wife, my grandchildren. And I realized in that moment that in God's glory I was given a tremendous gift. I was getting an ongoing answer to my childhood prayer. I was so overwhelmed with joy and gratitude that I completely broke down in tears and humility. Very few times have I been in this state. Once before, when I experienced my sudden conversion in Christ. And since then, a few times at critical moments of spiritual awakening. Each time, apparently, I have to be brought completely to my knees. I'm a hard nut to crack apparently. But I can testify that God is a nutcracker.
 
Don't take my word for it...
1 Corinthians 2:10-11
"These things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God."
My vision glorified Jesus by revealing His faithfulness across decades, fulfilling my prayer for a family. Jesus’ intimate knowledge of me is evident, as He knew my childhood pain and is answering my cry throughout my entire life. Now that's intimacy. God’s words, "I was there, I heard your prayer," reflect His presence in my loneliness and abuse, fulfilling Psalm 23:4 ("You are with me"). The vision of me as a boy in the Maple tree shows Jesus’ omniscience, as He discerned my heartfelt cry (John 2:24-25). The subsequent vision of my family underscores God’s ongoing answer, revealing His prevenient grace, a Wesleyan theme I had learned about shortly after that encounter with God. The overwhelming joy and gratitude that brought me to tears mirrors many biblical responses to divine revelation, (e.g. David’s awe in Psalm 16:11 "You fill me with joy in your presence"). And finally, being brought to my knees reflects a broken spirit, (Psalm 51:3 "For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.").
 
This vision fulfills the Spirit’s outpouring, as young men see visions. Its clarity and impact, recalling a forgotten prayer at age 40, echoes New Testament revelations. The Spirit’s role in revealing the past and present affirms my testimony against cessationist doubts. My undeniable experience equips me to steward this vision confidently, but the full spectrum of that revelation requires a biblical approach in order to filter out false voices and deepen my understanding of Jesus. And this ongoing revelation never ends in this life. I'm still learning about Christ from this extraordinary experience. I'm still learning about family and I'm still learning about the depths of my own sinfulness. The lessons go on; the vision is still alive today and is still teaching me.
 
Knowing this calls for a biblical approach to deepen my understanding of Jesus while filtering out the distortions. This is why I devote so much of my time to reading and writing about scripture. I'm not devoting time to dreaming or producing visions. They aren't the source; the source of truth is scripture.
 
Scripture is the ultimate test for visions (1 John 4:1).
"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world."
 
One important rule of thumb, if your dream, visions, revelation from scripture, fosters pride and self. Reject it!
 
Test it.
Does it uphold God’s Word?
Does it exalt Christ?
Does it produce love, joy, or humility?
And confirm it.
Seek prayer, Scripture, or counsel.
 
And remember always, Scripture has primacy over any and all dreams, visions, and revelations. It requires interpretation by its very nature. Scripture remains central to that task. Yes, visions and dreams have diminished since the end of the apostolic era, but God is still alive and present through his Spirit and will speak if it is His will. Why else do we pray if not to be heard, and if we are heard will not our God who is righteous and holy answer that prayer? And maybe he'll explain that answer in person if need be.
 
I have no idea why I received that answer in that way. I was praying while driving and listening to Christian music. I was crying because I was moved by the Spirit in that prayer. And then it happened.
 
I trust in God’s responsiveness, as evidenced by my vision. I trust God's holy Word above all else. This connects deeply with my practice of meditating with expository sermons. Scripture is the ultimate authority for faith and practice. The Spirit’s work continues in this church age, guiding believers into truth (John 16:13-14) and glorifying and revealing Jesus in His word, dreams, visions, and as well as in revelations.
 
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, Good Shepherd, thank You for calling us by name and speaking through Your Word and Spirit. Holy Spirit, thank You for guiding us into truth, revealing Jesus’ intimate knowledge of our joys, struggles, and needs. Lord, keep Scripture as our lamp, ensuring Your Word remains central above all dreams and visions. Protect us from the noise of competing voices, granting discernment to test every revelation against Your truth. Deepen our understanding of Christ, family, and our own sinfulness, that we may follow Jesus with humility and obedience. May our prayers rise to You, righteous and holy God, trusting You hear and answer according to Your will.
In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
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Michael A. Gentile@MicahSixEight
June 07, 2025
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The Sacrifice of Fools:
Saved or Self Deceived
Part One:
The book of Ecclesiastes emphasizes living authentically before God, particularly through the concept of "fearing God," which implies reverence, obedience, and a proper relationship with Him.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil."
This passage aligns with Jesus’ emphasis on doing the will of God.
Matthew 7:21
"Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."
The "fear of God" in Ecclesiastes is not merely an intellectual acknowledgment but a call to live obediently, much like Jesus’ requirement for a genuine relationship with Him and the Father.
 
Ecclesiastes critiques the pursuit of meaningless endeavors, including superficial religious practices.
 
Ecclesiastes 5:1
"Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil."
This passage warns against thoughtless worship or religious acts without genuine devotion, and echoes Jesus' words from the cross in regard to those who were executing him. Both Ecclesiastes and Matthew's gospel emphasize the need for heartfelt obedience. And Ecclesiastes repeatedly underscores that God sees and judges' human actions, a theme that connects to the judgment scene in Matthew 7:21-23.
 
Ecclesiastes also reflects on the futility of human endeavors apart from God, apart from true relationship with Him. Which indirectly relates to Jesus’ rejection of those who rely on their own works.
 
Ecclesiastes 2:11
"Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun."
 
This sense of "meaninglessness" when pursuing human achievements without God parallels the futility of the religious acts in Matthew 7:22, which lack the foundation of a genuine relationship with Jesus. Both texts suggest that works, no matter how impressive, are empty without alignment with God’s will.
 
You could say that Ecclesiastes, emphasizes reverence and obedience over personal intimacy. And therefore, it differs from Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7 which is explicitly eschatological, focused on the final judgment and personal rejection by Him as the divine judge.
 
But I don't think they are different. I mean, why did Jesus tell us in Matthew 7 that some would be rejected?
In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus teaches that not everyone who claims allegiance to Him ("Lord, Lord") or performs impressive religious acts (prophesying, casting out demons, performing miracles) will enter the kingdom of heaven. Instead, only those who "do the will of my Father" will be accepted. Added to this is how Jesus emphasizes that true discipleship involves a personal connection (internal transformation), not just outward actions. Jesus ties entry into the kingdom to "doing the will of my Father." This reflects a consistent biblical theme (seen in both Old and New Testaments) that true faith is demonstrated through obedience. It’s a challenge to live with integrity, ensuring that one’s faith is not just performative but rooted in love for and submission to God.
 
Likewise, in Ecclesiastes, the "fear of God" (Ecclesiastes 12:13) is not merely intellectual reverence but a holistic posture of awe, submission, and adherence to God’s commandments. Both texts reject superficiality, Ecclesiastes critiques the "sacrifice of fools" (Ecclesiastes 5:1), and Jesus rejects those who perform miracles without true faith.
 
Part Two: Saved or Self Deceived
Every human being lives forever. Consciously, thoughtfully, without distraction and with full comprehension. It'll be eternity with unlimited and unrestrained fully functioning minds and bodies. In other words, we will know all there is to know for the created beings to know.
 
The question isn't eternal life; the question is where you'll spend eternity. Many people are convinced that they have secured their place in eternal life in the kingdom of heaven.
 
Are they right or wrong?
 
Let's take a closer look at what Jesus said on this.
 
Matthew 7:21-23
"Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'"
 
Jesus tells us that there will be many, not just a few, but many, who will fall into deception on this subject. They'll have empty words that come from empty hearts. Their testimony will be founded upon a false confession. And so, right from the start we can sus out that genuine faith that saves is not merely about confession. Saying "Lord, Lord" reflects a verbal profession of faith, but Jesus indicates this alone is insufficient. Jesus prioritizes action over words. This challenges those who rely solely on a one-time profession of faith or cultural Christianity without a transformed life.
 
The next thing to notice is the self-righteousness. The people Jesus rejects point to their extraordinary deeds; prophesying, casting out demons, and performing miracles, all done "in your name." These are not minor acts; they’re powerful and outwardly impressive and they have the appearance of being very devoted spiritually speaking.
 
Now, let's pause here for a moment.
 
What do we know?
 
We know that confessing Jesus is critical to a faithful relationship with Christ.
 
We know that one cannot confess faith in Christ unless they are given the words from The Holy Spirit. It is His work to bring that about.
 
And yet Jesus says,
"Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven."
This brings to my mind something from the prophet Isaiah,
Isaiah 29:13
"This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me."
It's about giving lip service without a genuine heart transformation, which ultimately is meaningless. The deception lies in believing that a verbal claim alone secures your salvation, ignoring the need for a heart aligned with God’s purposes. And we see this advertised every Sunday in most churches, believe and be saved.
 
Now, let's keep in mind, these people Jesus is referring to aren't just some groups of C and Eers (people who attend church on Christmas and Easter only), or recent one-time altar call recruits. They're devoted to Jesus' name, performing works of righteousness in his name. They're devoted are directly associated in the service of His name. They are engaged in spiritual warfare, doing ministry that involves the casting out of demons. These are not some superficial marginal claims to faith. So, it's stunning to hear this, that many like them will hear,
"I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness."
What were they doing that was lawless?
 
How can people who appear deeply devoted to Jesus; performing miracles, casting out demons, and prophesying in His name, be rejected as "workers of lawlessness" who were never known by Him?
 
The deception lies in believing that outward acts, whether verbal confession or religious works, secures salvation without a heart aligned with God’s will. They are hypocritical and profane because they are taking the Lord's name in vain.
 
The term "workers of lawlessness" (Greek: ergazomenoi tēn anomian) in Matthew 7:23 is key to understanding their rejection. It refers to a disregard for or violation of God’s law, which encompasses His moral, relational, and covenantal standards. It's profane in its lack of love for God's word, and it's self-centered motives. This aligns with Jesus’ earlier warnings in the Sermon on the Mount about practicing righteousness "to be seen by others" (Matthew 6:1–5). Their works, though done "in His name," may have been driven by pride or a desire for status, not in love for God.
Jesus redefines righteousness as surpassing that of the Pharisees (Matthew 5:20), emphasizing an internal transformation (purity of heart, which really means motives, humility, and love for enemies) over external compliance to ritualistic behavior. For instance, the Pharisees and the chief priests practiced acts of righteousness, even casting out demons and curing infirmities. That was their duty as priests. And they did those things. And Jesus did not "know" them. Not as his children of light. Not having met them at the narrow gate. Not seeing them in an attitude of repentance. They weren't thirsting and hungering for righteousness. They were empty hearts speaking empty words, whitewashed tombs.
 
These empty people know the law but don't know the heart of the law. God’s law encompasses His moral, relational, and covenantal standards, rooted in love for God and others (Matthew 22:37–40). These empty people prioritize self over God, even while cloaked in religious activity. Jesus addresses these people when speaking about two types of people who are both building houses (which represents building a relationship with God).
 
Let's take a closer look:
Luke 6:46–49
"Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great."
So, what's happening here?
 
The storm is coming against both houses (judgement), the stream is breaking against us, the flood is pounding on our doors. Both houses are built in the same place. Same everything except for one thing. One has a foundation built on the rock, and the other has no foundation. One built on a bed of rock that cannot be moved, and the other has built directly on the sand.
 
This parable underscores the importance of not just hearing Jesus’ teachings but putting them into practice, providing a vivid illustration of the consequences of genuine faith versus superficial faith.
 
The Two Builders:
The wise man represents those who hear Jesus’ words and does them. Their faith is active, rooted in obedience to His teachings.
 
The foolish man represents those who hear Jesus’ words but do not do them. Their faith is superficial, lacking the practical application of His teachings. No love for the law of God. No longing for the love of God. They are looking to enhance their relationship with externals. Worshipping with their mouths but not with their hearts.
 
What is the foundation, the rock upon which it is built?
 
The rock symbolizes a life built on obedience to Jesus’ gospel teachings, particularly those in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7), such as humility, love, forgiveness, and purity of heart. It reflects a heart transformed by faith and aligned with God’s will (Mark 1:15).
 
The sand symbolizes a life built on hearing alone, professing faith, performing religious acts, and relying on self-righteousness without true repentance, obedience, or transformation.
 
The house on the rock stands firm, symbolizing salvation. The house on the sand falls with a great crash, symbolizing destruction and rejection. The foolish builder’s failure to act on Jesus’ words mirrors the "sacrifice of fools", religious acts without genuine devotion. Both are superficial, lacking the heart transformation that God requires.
 
So where can we hear a word of encouragement and assurance in this?
 
Jesus doesn't leave us in the dark on this.
 
John 8:31
So, Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,"
So, how can we be sure that we are abiding in His word?
 
I think we can sus that out by examining where scripture teaches us about those who aren't abiding and maybe learn from their mistakes.
 
Titus 1:10, 14, 15, 16
"...there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers...", "...devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth...", "...both their minds and their consciences are defiled. They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, and disobedient, unfit for any good work...."
One thing in particular marks the difference between an abiding believer and an unbeliever or believer in name only, and that is a lifestyle of eagerly loving and obeying the word of God. Hearing the word and doing it. No one can snatch Jesus’ sheep from His or the Father’s hand when they are doing his word.
 
1 John 2:3–6
"And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says, ‘I know him’ but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected."
James 1:22–25
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."
We're not necessarily talking about "perfection" here, we're talking about "direction". True Christians build on the rock of biblical wisdom and truth. Merely hearing the word (building on sand) without acting on it leads to self-deception.
 
Why do so many build on sand?
 
Simple answer, it's easy. No need to dig deep. No need to form a foundation and structure that'll make the foundation able to withstand the pressures and tensions that comes from being beaten down again and again. It's the short cut, instant gratification that so many seek. You see this often in many orthodox practices. No time for conviction and cultivating the truth. No time for counting the costs. It's a shallow approach to everything. And today superficiality is how we measure success. Today we build our lives on instantaneous impressions. Today we build on the sand of a viral Tik Tok moment. Today we rush into a bold and beautiful profession of faith without ever acknowledging that Jesus Christ is actually in charge of our salvation. not us, not our rituals, not our institutions. And later on, inevitably they rush out again when the storm comes.
 
There's no preaching about sin; therefore, there's no repentance from it. There's no cost counted because there's no cost. There's no persecution so there's no perseverance. There's no effort, no endurance, so there's no efficacy. There's no obedience to the word so there's no obedience to Christ.
 
And so, our Lord says, the foolish builder, who hears but doesn’t act, mirrors the hearer-only who deceives themselves. Their faith, like the house on sand, collapses because it lacks the practical application of God’s truth. James emphasizes that true faith is demonstrated through action, not just words or outward works of devotion to a pattern of worship.
 
So now we come to the nitty gritty.
 
How do you know that you haven't built your house on a foundation of sand?
 
The sand is religious acts without genuine devotion. If you're ashamed of the gospel or are reserved in yielding to Christ as King of the Universe. If you are you irritated by the commands of scripture, if it bother you that Jesus is restricting in His Way. Do you not like that the Bible lays out sins that you cannot be found doing? Sins that you would like to do. Does that irritate you?
 
If you answered yes, that is evidence that you have built your house of faith on a foundation of sand which isn't even a foundation. It's not even a concrete slab poured on sand. You've literally built your house directly on sand.
 
Do you come to faith because it's expected of you? Do you pray openly because it's expected of you? Are you trying to earn your way into favor with God and his people? Have you recycled your previous lifestyle of phony self-worship and traded it in for a new fabrication of YOU with Jesus as an add-on for a new viral sensation and adulation?
 
If you are doing these things, it's a wrong motive because it's about your own glory and not Christ's glory or Christ's kingdom that you are promoting. It's a wrong motive building on sand.
 
Is there anything in you, even some small component of your faith, that thinks you can earn your way into heaven? Even if you believe in the cross and the resurrection but still believe that you can contribute to your salvation somehow, you have a foundation built on sand. Which isn't a foundation at all. And I mean, even if you think that you can encourage your salvation, not directly earn it but encourage it with prayers to saints, acts of contrition (which really means acts of contribution), or post-death means of working out your salvation (purgatory), then you have built your faith on sand.
 
If you love the world. Can't let go of it. Can't let go of pleasures and pride, and you won't forsake those things for the sake of obedience to Jesus Christ and his teachings? It's very possible that you've built your faith on sand.
 
Unfortunately, friends, I think most of us have built very elaborate houses on sand. If I'm being serious and honest, I've come to the understanding that genuine faith is knowing that if you were to hear those words from Jesus, ("I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness."), it would be justified and right for Jesus to judge us in that way.
 
And I've learned that if you believe you deserve to hear those words, you probably won't hear them. It's a little like a sane person asking if they are really insane. Probably not if you are willing to admit that you may be.
 
So, let's stop with that and pray:
 
Heavenly Father,
We come before You with humble hearts, acknowledging our unworthiness and our tendency to build on sand, trusting in our own works, seeking our own glory, or clinging to the world. Forgive us for any resistance to Your word, any prideful motives, or any belief that we can earn Your favor. We confess that we deserve Your judgment, yet we cling to Your mercy through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Thank You for Your grace that saves us, not by our works but by faith in Christ alone.
Holy Spirit, search our hearts and reveal any sandy foundations. Transform us from within, giving us a love for Your word, a desire to obey Jesus, and motives that seek Your glory alone. Help us to abide in Jesus’ teachings, to be doers and not hearers only, and to build our lives on the rock of His truth. May we forsake the world’s pleasures and pride, taking up our cross to follow You.
Lord Jesus, we trust in Your promise of eternal life, and we rest in Your unfailing love. In Your holy name, amen.
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