20/20 Vision | The Social Dilemma

Have you watched The Social Dilemma?

From the creators of Chasing Ice and Chasing Coral, The Social Dilemma blends documentary investigation and narrative drama to disrupt the disrupters, unveiling the hidden machinations behind everyone’s favorite social media and search platforms.

How much time does one spend on social media, whether it is through computers, websites, or mobile apps? Platforms that record, study, and use everything we search, view, and post to create a database of who we are and how we think. 

Often times, things which begin good or innocent to aid humanity, can later be used or abused to manipulate humanity. Consider the ideas of power and profit. Power in the hands of a just leader can give comfort to those who practice good, while they are yet a terror to execute judgment upon those who practice evil. Similarly, profit (i.e. money) in the pocket of the charitable soul can be a present and continual blessing for the wellbeing of all persons.

However:

> Absolute power corrupts absolutely. // Lord Acton
> The love of money is the root of all evil. // Apostle Paul

What if the media, social media, and search engine platforms are using us as a product to have power over and profit from? Is it possible that we are being unconsciously manipulated in one way or another for power (to have us believe what they want us to believe) or for profit (to make money from advertisers, etc.)? Imagine what they could do to an individual, a society, a country, the world? Now consider the coming Antichrist.

Before you simply dismiss the idea, consider if you can go without social media for any length of time, and honestly test whether you can be objective to any thoughts which vary from your own. Has social media changed your time, attitude, or thought process? I am willing to bet it has.

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. // Jesus [Matthew 10:16]

20/20 Vision | Tolerance or Echo Chamber

Tolerance

• The power or capacity of enduring; or the act of enduring. [Webster 1828]
• A fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward those whose opinions, beliefs, practices, racial or ethnic origins, etc., differ from one's own; freedom from bigotry. [dictonary.com]

Tolerance is an interesting concept. Sometimes it is difficult to discover the truth of whether it is actually observed, simply misunderstood, or merely ignored. Quite possibly, even more so, by those who claim to possess it the most. Perhaps you or I, likewise believe we are quite tolerant of other ideas or people, but are actually more tuned in to an echo chamber of our own making.

We will use the example of Facebook, but we could consider any location (digital or physical) where persons of differing views could congregate. 

We start with an open forum, claiming to desire honest and open dialogue between persons who may hold varying views on whatever topic is presented (by the admin, owner or members).

Quite often such places attract Trolls: those who usually only wish to disrupt rather than actually engage in productive dialogue. They are considered a nuisance by the majority and are soon blocked; especially if they continue after being warned. We don't want them here.

Heated debates arise between active participants, as each is triggered by different topics. Stronger personalities and harsher criticisms swell, as people feel more comfortable addressing their opponents from the safety found behind their screen. We lose some of the "weaker" persons who dislike the contentious atmosphere the forum now has. We admit there are more personal attacks at present, but we justify it because we feel the same way about the constant disapproval, badgering, and arguing from those we disagree with. They are driving us mad. We shouldn't be stressed in our own place. So we delete comments or block certain persons from content we prefer they not see or comment on. We don't want them here.

Still remain those who contend against our view or ideals. We cannot understand how they continue to refuse to see the world the way we do. They are not abrasive but they still judge us as wrong, our ideals as inferior. Even when other members rail against them and belittle their thoughts, they keep coming back, sharing more of why they disagree. We don't care what they say or why they believe it. Just stop bothering me by commenting on my thoughts. We don't want them here.

Soon we find our happy place. We can discuss things in unison with likeminded souls, while making fun of those who disagree with us. They are so arrogant, so stupid, so intolerant.... while we sit in our cozy echo chamber we ourselves have created by distancing ourselves from those who would disagree. Sure, we talk about them, by bringing in their ignorant audio, video, writings, etc. into our discussion. We just don't want to talk to them. We don't want them here. 

20/20 Vision | Can There Any Good Thing Come Out Of

“And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.” ‭// John‬ ‭1:46‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Some judged the worth of Jesus based on where he came from.

When others judge you based on neighborhood, color or social status, let your godly character, words and deeds point others to the Light who guides your path to victory.

Perhaps they will "come and see" that we may share the Christ, the gospel, with them.

What Jesus Demands | Repent

The following "What Jesus Demands" is taken from the book, 

What Jesus Demands from the World by John Piper. 

He mentions a list of 50, 

so I thought we might take a glimpse of each of them individually.

#2 — REPENT

Jesus Christ tells us: "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." [Luke 5:32]

Repent:

to experience a change of the mind's perceptions and dispositions and purposes.

Repentance:

is not the new deeds, but the inward change that bears fruit of new deeds.

Sin is an assault on God. 
"Repenting means experiencing a change of mind so that we can see God as true and beautiful and worthy of all our praise and all our obedience."

There is an universal need for repentance.
It is not that some need repentance or some need a Savior, but that all have sinned against God thus requiring all the necessity to repent.

There is an urgency to this demand because judgment is coming.
"So the demand of repent is based on the gracious offer that is present to forgive and on the gracious warning that someday those who refuse the offer will perish in God's judgment."

To all nations beginning from Jerusalem.
"And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." [Luke 24:46-47]

This is the demand of Jesus to every soul:

Repent. Be changed deep within. 

20/20 Vision | Race or Color

We have an estimated world population of 7.8 billion as of May 2020. I have read, in the late 18th century, the Göttingen School of History divided mankind into five colored races: 

• Aethiopian or Black
• Caucasian or White
• Mongolian or Yellow
• American or Red
• Malayan or Brown

This reminds me of the song we sang together as children:

Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world
Red, brown, yellow
Black and white
They are precious in His sight
Jesus loves the little children
Of the world

Many people use ancestry.com or similar sites and applications to trace the lineage of their family back as far as they can. To get a picture of their tree, their roots, and how families and people interconnect with one another. Perhaps you have done so yourself. 

Every single person's tree branches back to Noah, his three sons (Shem, Ham and Japheth) and their wives. There were no survivors of the flood outside of the Ark and God created no additional people (or races) in addition to this family. Just as the animals aboard were to repopulate the earth with a variety of color and beauty, so were Noah and his family. Here, perhaps, we find a "set of races" as they separated and migrated to different parts of the world with different climates, etc.:

• Shem (+ his wife)—"dark but comely"
• Ham (+ his wife)—"dark like the raven"
• Japheth (+ his wife)—"entirely white"

Even though the people at the Tower of Babel were dispersed by the hand God, they still flowed from Noah, his sons and their wives. No new people groups were brought about at the time of their separation into different parts of the earth. However, again, shades of colors most likely spread about just as it did throughout all of creation.

Tracing Noah and his sons' wives brings one all the way back to the beginning. Here we see God created the human race with one man (Adam) and one woman (Eve). There was no additional race created outside of the Eden. Formed from the dust of the ground, within Adam was the basis for every human possibility. From Adam's rib God formed Eve, with the two becoming the foundation of humanity's various attributes of color, physique, etc. Do we imagine them as red, brown, yellow, black, or white? Perhaps we do that which seems most relevant or best associates them to us. 

In the Old Testament we find a separation of the Jew (God's chosen people) and the Gentle (the heathen). However, in Christ, we find:

there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. [Romans 10:12-13]

Although we may vary in color, we can find commonality. We share in:

• God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. [Genesis 1:27]
• All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God—Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. [Romans 3:23; 5:12]
• For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. [Romans 6:23]
• For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. [Romans 10:13]
• For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. [1 Corinthians 15:22]

There is no difference in sin or salvation for the red, brown, yellow, black, or white. We must all come to a Jew, namely, Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

We are called to:

• Love thy neighbour as thyself. [Matthew 19:19]
• Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. [Matthew 5:44]
• If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. [Romans 12:18]
• Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. [Romans 12:21]

Color should be seen as what makes us unique, not as something to warrant hate. We are made in the image and likeness of God. Our ratio of melanin does not make us more or less superior as a human being. Our words and deeds declare to the world—and to God—our moral and spiritual condition.

When a Nation Forgets God by Erwin W. Lutzer

In Erwin W. Lutzer's book entitled When a Nation Forgets God, he expounds on 7 Lessons We Must Learn from Nazi Germany. 

Namely, they are:

1. When God Is Separated from Government, Judgment Follows
2. It's Always the Economy
3. That Which Is Legal Might Also Be Evil
4. Propaganda Can Change a Nation
5. Parents—Not the State—Are Responsible for a Child's Training
6. Ordinary Heroes Can Make a Difference
7. We Must Exalt the Cross in the Gathering Darkness

The world, the flesh and the devil are after our minds and our children and the soul of every man, woman and child. We have a responsibility, "as sheep [of the Good Shepherd] in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." [Matthew 10:16]

We are tasked—as Christians—to answer the question, "How do we both love the people of the world and yet oppose the agenda of those who would crush the Gospel?" For, we are told to love our neighbor and to love our enemy [Matthew 5:43-48], yet to abhor evil and love good [Romans 12:9].

The power of the early church was in the Gospel not in self. "Without freedom of religion, without a media presence, and without the ability to redress the wrongs against them, the Christians discovered that the Gospel had the power to change individuals, families, and the culture."

It is now our turn.

20/20 Vision | False Assurance

In Matthew 7 Jesus said:

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

He continues with:

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Sometimes we can fool ourselves into believing we are serving God, but are actually doing what Christ said in Matthew 15:

This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

Consider when one raises their hand, repeats a prayer, walks an aisle, gets baptized as a mean to "do" something to receive salvation, but fails to repent of sin or change their lifestyle.

Consider when one attends church (or seldom attends church), gives money, maybe even serves in ministry to "do" something to receive praise, but fails to love and commune with God.

In Mark 7, Christ warns:

That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

Prophesying, casting out devils, and doing wonderful works in the name of Christ can be good things. However, they must be done out of genuine faith, love, and obedience to God. 

Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: [Ephesians 6:6-7, in reference to serving]

We must be mindful of our heart, our motives, constantly measuring them in the light of Holy Scripture and the Holy Spirit. We can easily be deceived by persons, the devil and ourselves. Giving us a false assurance that we are "okay" with God.

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

We cannot and will not deceive Christ by simply calling him LORD and pointing to our good works.

I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. [Jeremiah 17:9-10]

We are not simply called to "do" the will of God in our flesh, but rather flowing from our inner man of the heart as well. Not merely lip service or eye service for men to see, and to ease our conscious or boost our pride. It should all be for the glory of God. Let us test ourselves—our words, deeds, and motives—to ensure we are in Christ. 

May we hear:

"Well done, thou good and faithful servant."