The world of humans

When I think of the world, I think of it as the Greek word κόσμου (“kosmou”), which differentiates it from any word referring to the earth or the universe. This world of the cosmos, containing the thoughts and feelings of mankind and the spiritual realm, which most people cannot see, is not very well defined with words. But we can understand some of it when we face struggles in our personal lives. The Bible gives us another perspective of these struggles. And this perspective can help us understand something about bigger struggles, such as world conflicts and disasters.

Biblical scholars generally agree that much of the text of Genesis is allegorical. It would be impossible to write about billions of years of creation, so the allegory of Genesis 1 keeps the story concise in order to illustrate that homo sapiens had a beginning before science was able to prove it. But how did humans progress to be who we are today?

Adam had relations with his wife again; and she gave birth to a son, and named him Seth, for, she said, “God has appointed me another child in place of Abel, because Cain killed him.” To Seth also a son was born; and he named him Enosh. Then people began to call upon the name of the Lord.
-Genesis 4:25-26

Scripture quotation taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org

Before this moment, people did not call upon the name of the Lord. Adam and Eve didn’t teach their children to revere their creator. By the 3rd generation, the children figured it out. And out of those people, God chose the lineage of Jacob and his 12 sons to deepen a relationship with mankind and to show who He is. Jacob’s offspring would have a difficult time learning to remain grateful and faithful. They would be enticed by other religions, idol worship.

Today, many people who believe in God turn their hearts away at a rebuke or an admonishment. They turn away from hard lessons, refusing to learn because of their pride. (I, too, have been guilty of this!) We see this clearly when we step back and look at political activity, especially before elections.

I did not want to get vaccinated. But I did it anyway, because God made science and He enabled FDA approval of the vaccines. If God allowed vaccinations, and they are preventing people from becoming infected, isn’t that enough to give God glory and be humble? Ironically, one of the vaccinations caused my heart to have palpitations and inflammation in the pericardium. It was inflamed for a year and then was healed, thanks to a prophetess who prayed and laid hands on me. (There was a lesson for me in there to be learned, and not one that some think.)

People who strongly argue for a political ideal twist words to fit the ideal while refusing to humble themselves in order to see situations from a different perspective. Being opinionated is not loving. Nor is ingratitude. “Do not twist my words,” the Lord said in a prophecy in 2021. Do not claim that a political ideal is from God. An example of a failure of a political belief can be seen in the story of King Josiah in 2 Chronicles 35. Instead, remember the following:

The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves.
-Romans 14:22 ESV

Above quotation is from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), ©2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

The NIV version says, “So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God…”

And Romans 14:10-13 asks, why do you judge? Don’t put a stumbling block in your brother’s or sister’s way by eliciting unnecessary feelings about beliefs that are not God’s thoughts. Political beliefs are only beliefs. When people gather together to promote these beliefs, they create a culture that excludes and prejudges. The group becomes like the nations in Micah 4, and about them Micah wrote that they do not know God’s thoughts.

Genesis is only the beginning of this treacherous world, and the cosmos of the study of astrophysics. To navigate through it, keep things simple and love. Love God first and then others. In loving God first, with humility and contriteness, you can also learn to love yourself, which enables you to love others fully. We can too easily express unkindness in our subconscious through our behaviors. Therefore, pray, telling God about these behaviors, asking for forgiveness and guidance.

Scripture quotation of Romans 14:22 taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com