Flipped Over!

It is sometimes comical to see small children who desire to have the freedom to begin dressing themselves. As they smile proudly it may be difficult to hold back a chuckle in view of inside out or backward clothing. And then we see children who tend to play with or carry some things upside down; a situation not always funny since in the process the contents of upside down containers may be spilled to create a huge mess. The saddest thing, however, is the reality that some have not grown out of this stage with regard to the things of God. There are some situations in life where God’s “THIS SIDE UP!” label seems so clear to me, yet is ignored by many who stack up life anyway they choose. And some have become so confused by it all they don’t know which way is up!

Note how some were spoken as such through the prophet Isaiah.
“YOU TURN THINGS UPSIDE DOWN! Shall the potter be regarded as the clay, that the thing made should say of its maker, ‘He did not make me’; or the thing formed say of him who formed it, ‘He has no understanding’?” ( Isaiah 29:16 ESV)

There are those who say God didn’t create man, but man created the idea of God so as to have an object to blame for life’s problems or to use the concept of a God to control people. When one’s understanding of God is upside down it tends to turn most everything else upside down as well. Should it surprise us at all the chaos and confusion in the world today? God is not a God of chaos and confusion! ( 1 Corinthians 14:33) That has been mankind’s contribution to the world. From the very beginning of Creation God brought about design and order. And His Word has been preserved to provide order to our lives as well.

When Paul and Silas were in Thessalonica, they were accused of having “turned the world upside down” with their teaching. ( Acts 17:6) However, in a real sense, the teaching of the Gospel of Jesus helps to turn the world back RIGHT SIDE UP. The problem is that many have been hanging upside down for so long, to turn RIGHT SIDE UP makes them dizzy and it may take them a little while to gain a better focus. Therefore, let us be patient with them while we continue to live and speak in a manner which reveals, by the wisdom of God, which way truly is up!

Have a great day LIVING UPRIGHT IN AN UPSIDE DOWN WORLD.
Carl

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