Reality is Closing in on Perception
By George Stroh
August 8, 2011
"Brethren, my heart's desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. For not knowing about God's righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes." (Romans 10:1-4)
Paul wrote these inspired words referring to his Jewish brethren who "have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge." The same could be said about most "religious" people today, both Jews and gentiles, including many who claim to be Christians. These have a false hope of somehow earning God's approval through self-righteousness rather than the righteousness of God through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ alone.
You have heard it said that "perception becomes reality". But can perception change reality about who God is and the perfect righteousness He demands? Reality is closing in on perception and one day, maybe one day soon, all ignorant perceptions will be crushed by the reality of the righteousness found in Christ alone; "For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11)
It is sad, of course, that so many religious people continue to reject the righteousness found in Christ alone and are seeking to establish their own righteousness, apart from the righteousness of God. Someone has said; "God created man in His own image and man returned the favor-- Creating God in his own image." When the Lord Jesus Christ returns, all ignorance and false perceptions about Him and self- righteousness will be forever swallowed-up by reality; "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9).
Our Lord's patience is amazing, but shouldn't be taken for granted. Reality is quickly closing in and will soon correct every false perception about God and the righteousness found in Christ alone. Tell everyone you know. Maranatha!
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