Our world is a kaleidoscope of people. We are. Society comprises a variety of people. This culture we live in is a vast spectrum of individuals. God made us differently. God made us unique.
We say that we are all God’s creatures, so we are all the same. Our lifestyles, however, prove our diversity. There is not a culture that is the same as another culture. We only must look in our own backyards. Consider the differences between city folk and country folk. Or consider the lifestyle of those on the West coast and those on the East coast. No way around it. We are different.
History shows us we are continuously transforming. At one time, America was an agricultural nation. Today, we are an industrial nation. Europe was once a violent, land hungry, war ravaged collection of princes, kings, and peasants. Today, Europe is a conglomerate of many nations seeking to live day by day. Across the globe we have people that live as Bedouins, and we have people who live in condominiums. We have people who live in grass huts, and we have people who live in brick homes. Yes, our world is a colorful spectrum. We are different. We vary in the way we live and the things we believe. Truly, we are a kaleidoscope.
Although we are diverse socially, economically, and politically, there are basically two types of people. There are those who live in a relationship with God and those who do not live in a relationship with God. Once the lots have been cast and the straws have been drawn, you either are living right with God or are not living right with God.
Some people live in opposition to God. They do. They live their lives against the will of God.
We are not talking about whether they go to church. There are many people who have made professions of faith, been baptized, and whose names are on the church role, but they live their lives against God’s will. As Billy Graham stated, “They profess God with their lips, but they deny God with their lives.” They live against the will of God.
Consider the story of Cain and his descendants. Cain knew God very well. In fact, Cain had two direct encounters with God. Yet, Cain lived his life against God. Look at Cain’s rebellion. God told Cain he was to be a wanderer. Cain, instead, built himself a city (Genesis 4:17). It is like Cain was saying, “I am not doing what God had said.”
Cain’s descendants show the influence of his rebellion. Lamech was a man of two wives. Genesis 2:24 shows God’s plan for man was only for one wife.
The names of Lamech’s wives are telling of their lack of acknowledging God. The women’s names are superficial names. They have to do with outward beauty and the ability to lure and be seductive. Unlike our practice of naming our children, names in the Bible carry meaning. They mean something other than a name.
Lamech even boasted about his sin after killing a man, like Cain had done. Lamech bragged that if Cain was avenged sevenfold, then he would be avenged seventy-sevenfold (Genesis 4:23-24).
In the initial story of Cain and his descendants, they lived against the will of God. We can only hope somewhere down the line that changed.
In our world, people do the same thing. Some people live in opposition to God.
On the other hand, there are those who live in favor of God. There are persons who acknowledge God and live in God’s will.
Once again, let’s make something clear. We are not referring to church members. Being part of the church does not make you righteous in God’s eyes. It is how you live your life that matters.
I knew a man who was not a member of any church. Yet, he believed in God, and he believed in Jesus Christ. His life was the epitome of what it meant to be a Christian. There is no doubt in my mind that when the day comes that we all shall stand before the Lord, this man will be there.
Living the way of Christ has nothing to do with a church roll book or a confirmation class. Living the way of Christ has everything to do with how you live.
Some say that on judgment day there are going to be many who think they are in, that won’t be. There will be many who we don’t think will be in, but they will be.
The saying compels us to examine our own faith and Christian walk.
Consider Adam and his descendants. Adam and Eve acknowledged God. Even though they had fallen from God’s pleasure, they still acknowledged God. That says a lot of humility. They knew they were wrong, yet they still acknowledged God’s glory.
When Seth was born, they did not boast in their own doings. Rather, they gave all the glory and praise to God.
Adam and Eve gave their children godly names. The name Seth means God appointed. The name Enoch means mortal man, acknowledging that man has no right to boast about anything but the fact that he was dying being from the day he was born. Again, naming a child was much different in the days of the Bible than it is today. Names meant something.
It is also to Adam and Eve’s credit that people worshipped in the name of the Lord. Some people acknowledge God and live in the favor of God (Genesis 4:25-26). Some people don't.
Humanity is a kaleidoscope of people. We are unique. Yet, when we strip away ethnic diversity, economic division, and social status, two types of people emerge. There are those who live in a relationship with God and those who do not live in a relationship with God.
We must make a choice. We must choose how we will live. Will we live opposed to God or in favor of God?
Elijah said, “If the Lord is God, follow him, but if Baal, then follow him” (1 Kings 18:21).
We are not talking about walking down the aisle and joining a church. We are talking about how we live our lives.
Remember what the disciples said to Jesus, “This man is doing things in your name, but he is not one of us.” Jesus replied, “If he isn’t against us, he is for us. Leave him alone” (Luke 9:49-50).
So, in the spirit of Joshua, “Choose whom you will serve this day” (Joshua 24:15).