Watching the ABC PRIMETIME Special, “Jesus Of Surburbia,” by Jim Avila, last Tuesday provoked me to post this message. On bended knee, please pray for all the generations of innocent children who know not what they’re doing. How many of those children still don’t know what the “666” symbolizes or still don’t know about the infamous mark of the beast, aka “Antichrist“? Do you know? If not, Dr. Charles Stanley, Pastor of In Touch Ministries, offers some biblically based insight about the “greatest pretender of all times.” Click on the highlighted word Antichrist to read what Dr. Stanley says.

During such treacherous times as these, let no one easily deceive you. Study. Research. Dig Deep. Ask questions. Think critically. But be forewarned. Critical thinking takes courage. Standing alone after stepping outside the comfort zone of what is known takes courage. Getting out of the boat that gives you a false sense of security during turbulent seasons of stormy weather takes courage.

As a critically thinking follower of Jesus Christ, the Anointed One, my personal preference is to value my personal “relationship” with God more than I value the “religion” of Christianity. Do you know the difference between a relationship that “inspires” culturally diverse people to unite and a religion that “motivates” culturally diverse people to fight?

“Religions Divide What Relationships Unite.”

Cultural Diversity programs taught me to respectfully agree to disagree with my blended, extended family members. Are “professing” Christians the only people populating humanity’s culturally diverse global village of critical thinkers that God chooses and uses for the greater good? What do you believe? Why do you believe what you believe?

“Believe nothing on the faith of traditions, even though they have been held in honour for many generations, and in divers places. Do not believe a thing because many speak of it. Do not believe on the faith of the sages of the past. Do not believe what you have imagined, persuading yourself that a god inspires you. Believe nothing on the sole authority of your masters or priests. After examination, believe what you yourself have tested and found to be reasonable, and conform your conduct thereto.”

Gautama Buddha

The day will come when, not if, the “invisible fist” of Adversity will strike absent any warning. Will you be ready? Will you know what to do next? Why? During your darkest night of the soul, what will inspire, encourage, and empower you to “keep risin’ after every fall”? If you’ve ever met the “greatness of God’s faithfulness during dark days and lonely nights when all seems lost,” then you already know the answer. But by grace still go I.

Critical thinking will most definitely test your faith. When was the last time Adversity tested your faith? Did you make “good choices” or “bad choices”? What did you learn about God, about yourself, about your faith? Did your actions speak louder than your words? Were your actions “fear-based” or “faith-based”? Do you know the difference? How would you know that “a faith that can’t be tested is a faith that can’t be trusted” if you haven’t learned how to live, love, and lead like Jesus did– by example?

You may be the only Bible the critically thinking people you meet on the street where you live or work will read on a daily basis. Based upon your leadership, will your choices teach a critically thinking generation with no “Sacred Text” to read that great people with great weaknesses can trust God absent any reservation during such tough times as these? Think about it.

© Copyright 2007 by Roderick O. Solomon. All Rights Reserved