LIFE The pursuit of knowledge and understanding is a very noble undertaking with promise of findings that can be helpful in many ways. When this quest becomes dangerous, though, is in the adjustment of well-established truths in order to arrive at a desired outcome. In geometry there is a method of proving certain dimensions based upon a sequence of accepted truths. Though something might appear to be right by just looking, there still has to be verification based upon a humble submission to an established reality. It may seem to be much easier to simply assume a higher level of understanding and declare something to be obviously true, but this approach will ultimately lead to obvious failure. This is especially right when it comes to the discovery of truths regarding life itself. No matter the personal desire for a different outcome, deciding that 2 + 2 is actually 5 doesn’t elevate oneself above archaic and restrictive truths. It just confirms a very dangerous and destructive level of ignorance. The slightest variation from the standards given by the Creator of life is a change of direction towards what is furthest from any discovery of life. There is only death as its certainty. Just as Adam and Eve discovered in the garden, the decision to consume the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was loss of life for them and all who would follow. With God’s word there is provision of established truth upon which all of life must be built if there is any hope of survival. The desperate grasping for knowledge that is above God is a very dangerous trend in our society today. Above any other threats to our world is the self-determination of life’s truths. This arrogance will lead to certain death. It will be at the core of man’s self-destruction. Disregarding God’s basic standards of life’s existence is departure from an ability to determine any protective or provisional truths of life. No matter how desirous, each step taken in the challenge of God’s Word regarding life, from conception to physical death, is movement away from any legitimacy of life. Only humble submission to and defense of what has forever been established in Him will bring hope for survival in these unstable and precarious times. He alone is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Notes When right and wrong are partaken of apart from God, death is always the consequence. Genesis 2:16-17 (NKJV) 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” Did God say? Genesis 3:1 (NKJV) 1 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?" The Path of Seems leads only to death. Proverbs 16:25 (NKJV) 25 There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. There are those whose purpose is death, while Jesus came to bring life. John 10:10 (NKJV) 10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. The Way, the Truth and the Life. John 14:6 (NKJV) 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. Only source of life – God. Romans 6:23 (NLT) 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. God’s perspective of life – before conception through last earthly breath. Psalms 139:13-16 (TPT) 13 You formed my innermost being, shaping my delicate inside and my intricate outside, and wove them all together in my mother’s womb. 14 I thank you, God, for making me so mysteriously complex! Everything you do is marvelously breathtaking. It simply amazes me to think about it! How thoroughly you know me, Lord! 15 You even formed every bone in my body when you created me in the secret place, carefully, skillfully shaping me from nothing to something. 16 You saw who you created me to be before I became me! Before I’d ever seen the light of day, the number of days you planned for me were already recorded in your book. Knew before birth. Jeremiah 1:5 (NLT) 5 “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” New life in Christ – from a plan long ago, for good things. Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. God’s design for a household of children. Psalms 127:3-5 (TPT) 3 Children are God’s love-gift; they are heaven’s generous reward. 4 Children born to a young couple will one day rise to protect and provide for their parents. 5 Happy will be the couple who has many of them! A household full of children will not bring shame on your name but victory when you face your enemies, for your offspring will have influence and honor to prevail on your behalf! It is God who cares for those who are victims of circumstances. Psalms 68:5-6 (NLT) 5 Father to the fatherless, defender of widows—this is God, whose dwelling is holy. 6 God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy. But he makes the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. Shedding innocent blood among things most hated by God. Proverbs 6:16-19 (AMPC) 16 These six things the Lord hates, indeed, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look [the spirit that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others], a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, [Psa 120:2-3] 18 A heart that manufactures wicked thoughts and plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who breathes out lies [even under oath], and he who sows discord among his brethren. Not enough to just agree, must act on what is right. 1 Peter 3:12-16 (NLT) 12 The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the LORD turns his face against those who do evil.” 13 Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. 15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. 16 But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. Overview: Assuming to rise to the level of God in knowledge of good and evil is taking the path of death. Life is given to us and provided for by God. His perspective on life is not limited to time on earth, but goes way before and beyond this life. The world uses the plight of some to justify the death of many. God cares for each one equally quite apart from their location in time and place. He is directly opposed to any of the prideful who would cause harm to even one. It is for us to not only agree with God, but be ready with an answer, unafraid of threats, to stand. Prayer: “I come to You now for the wisdom and understanding of life as You have formed it. Show me how to treasure each life with an understanding of Your plan for it before it was even formed, and Your desire for its eternal fulfillment in You. Give me Your love and compassion for each treasure You have formed. Help me to stand equipped to defend them without fear of any threat. I pray for the preservation and salvation of each one You gave Your life to save.” Action: Meditate on God’s Word in the Spirit to gain revelation on His purpose and passion for each one. Pray in the understanding and the Spirit for the specific areas of life’s challenges before and after birth. Stand as a voice with an answer that will not be moved by the threats of those who attempt to displace God’s truth regarding life.