Leighs Es: Vol. 353 Do you know why you stand where you stand?
When it comes to believing in God, is it “Us” against “Them”? Kinda Yes! & Kinda No!
If I told you that for many years, I traveled every day to work through traffic wearing dark clothes and a double charcoal-filter gas mask. What would you think? I hope the first thought is NOT - “That is not surprising because it is Nate!” I hope your first thought would be: “What’s the context”?
Context is essential! When we consider the difficulties believers will have in this world, we need to bring our discussion into context. That will lead us to “persons” & “systems”.
First: Persons - We have two enemies...one is very much underestimated.
Obviously, the first name that will and should come to mind is Satan. If anything, as believers, we tend to “overestimate” him.
HOW CAN I SAY THAT?
Because he is a defeated foe and cannot touch us unless our Lord allows him to.
The underestimated enemy is...the mirror!
Me, myself, and I... Ourselves! The old nature that was in charge of me before regeneration happened.
That nature (the "Them") can no longer command us, but we can yield to it. Rom 6-8 best describes the wrestling match, especially Chapter 7.
“The good I want to do...I don’t do. The exact stuff I hate to do...I DO!”
The section we were looking at in Romans 1 states it this way:
Romans 1:21–25…For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
We become our own worst enemy when we refuse to accept God as He presents Himself! Are there issues that you don’t understand about Who God is or how He works…are there issues you don’t like about Him?
Join the club!! How can I, a flawed, sinful, finite creation, - grasp, understand, and comprehend an Infinite God?
That is why “faith” is required. NOT blindness as skeptics state. They then go on to give their opinion on Who He is, which turns out to be a “god” they can accept.
God has given evidence and has done things that prove Who He is and how He works. You have every right to reject that…He gave you that right…yet you do not have the right to change Who He is.
The So What: I have one more Devo to share on this, but I want to share it in sections that can be read and digested. Please consider these questions until then: Where does your image of God come from? Why do you believe that? What’s your evidence? Why does it make sense, and what has your god done for this world?
If I told you that for many years, I traveled every day to work through traffic wearing dark clothes and a double charcoal-filter gas mask. What would you think? I hope the first thought is NOT - “That is not surprising because it is Nate!” I hope your first thought would be: “What’s the context”? 
Me, myself, and I... Ourselves! The old nature that was in charge of me before regeneration happened. 
That is why “faith” is required. NOT blindness as skeptics state. They then go on to give their opinion on Who He is, which turns out to be a “god” they can accept. 