God hides in the distortions.

The distortion is necessary; only those given to concentration can drown out the noise. God has caused all the distortions that exist in the world to arise to make himself all the more difficult to find.  Distortions arise in many forms; different religions, differing points of views within religions, ignorance, heresies, hate, starvation, evil, darkness, the theory of evolution, varying bible interpretations, hell--all these distortions are intended to hide the one true God.  This is not the work of satan, he is a tool. Consider these verses: Matthew 13:44 44 The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Jesus tells us that the kingdom of God i.e. The gospel he came to preached is like treasure HIDDEN in a field.  This is important for us to grasp,  because he did not say that it was treasure lying out in the open for then it would be obvious to all.  No, he tells us that the kingdom of God is HIDDEN. Matthew 7:14 14 For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. We see similar sentiments being expressed here by Jesus where he again describes the way to righteousness as being difficult to find. Matthew 11:25-26 25 At that time Jesus said, I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. 26 Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight. This preceding verse is astounding because it tells us that God hides life-changing information from certain people, and reveals it to other people.  If that weren't enough Jesus then declares that this action is WELL PLEASING to God.  Luke 19:42 42 saying, If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes. Here we see that there is information that if Israel had it would have secured it's peace, but it was hidden from them.  By whom was it hidden? We just saw that it is God doing the hiding. 1 Corinthians 2:7 7 but we speak Gods wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; Here again we see God hiding things.  This time it is wisdom, but not only does he hide it he also PREDESTINED that it would only be found by some. Yes, God hides the truth of his word, he hides the kingdom, he hides wisdom, he hides essential information, he hides his true nature.  In fact God further stacks the deck by doing the following: Romans 11:8 8 just as it is written, God gave them A spirit of stupor, Eyes to see not and ears to hear not, Down to this very day. But why does God do this, why would he hide himself amongst the distortions? This is necessary because without distortions his brightness and glory would be obvious to all.  What he has done is made it difficult to find him so that ONLY those to whom it is given would be able to discern him when we search for him with all our hearts. It is the search that purifies us, and as we become purified we see him all the more clearer.  In fact we begin to see him as he is, his true self--LOVE.  To those who wonder about  in hopelessness and darkness they will come to know him as MERCY. Matthew 13:16 16 But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.

God doesn't mark on the curve.

Acts 17:31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead. The expression 'marking on the curve' is a phrase used in the education field.  It is accurately defined on Wikipedia as: Grades are awarded based on performance relative to all other individuals rather than performance relative to an absolute standard. It is a common attitude in the church for Christians to observe the behavior of other Christians  and justify their shortcomings because of the shortcomings of others they deem more spiritual.  We may observe a noted pastor undergoing a divorce and we surmise that if he, being as close to God as I am SURE he is,  is going through a divorce then I can't be faulted for divorcing my wife.  We conclude that this christian thing is too hard.  What happens is we begin to act based on the conduct of others and not as the word of God instructs. This attitude leads us to live our lives based on the behaviors of others.  BUT THEY ARE NOT OUR STANDARD!   Consider the above verse.  God says that he will judge us BY Jesus Christ.  Upon a fundamental examination of the verse that is a horrifying notion.  God is literally telling you that he will judge you BY Jesus, this means that Jesus is the standard for us ALL. How does God determine if we are fit?  What he will NOT do is say 'well I know it was a bit much to ask for you guys to give up sinning'.  No, but what he will do is look at Jesus and then he will look at us.  My question to you is will you measure up?   We usually harbor the notion that Jesus was this perfect being that we TRY to obey.  But what does God say to us: 1 John 2:6 ... the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked. This is indeed a tall order.  God expects us to walk, live in obedience to holiness, JUST LIKE JESUS!  This is the death knell to our corrupted consciences because we think such a task UNATTAINABLE while we live on this earth.  This verse is telling us that WE CANNOT CLAIM TO ABIDE IN HIM UNLESS WE WALK IN THE SAME MANNER THAT HE WALKED.  Oh but it gets better: Matthew 5:48  Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Now lest you get bogged down in debate over what this word 'perfect' means let us examine this verse from a different aspect.  The main idea behind this verse is not the word perfect, but rather it is the words 'as your Father'.  Whatever perfect means it is not as important as understanding that we must be JUST LIKE OUR FATHER.  Jesus therefore is expecting that those who name the name of Christ would be JUST like their Father. We therefore cannot look to men as a standard, our standard is GOD.  Take this test: Do you love your enemies? Do you bless those who curse you? Do you give to the poor? Do you put the needs of others BEFORE your own needs? Do you deny yourself and take up your cross and follow him? Do you receive the kingdom of God as a little child? Are you great?  If so did you become so by being the servant of all? Do you forgive? Do you pray FOR those who abuse you? Do you turn the other cheek? Do you lend HOPING for nothing in return? Do you consider yourself a member of the family of God?  Consider this: Luke 8:21 And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, AND DO IT. God doesn't mark on the curve, and for those called by God we have the ACHIEVABLE task of being like Christ and walking in the manner he walked.