The Beginning – Be Single Minded

Genesis 1:1 (NKJV)

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

Sometimes I make the mistake of thinking everyone thinks like I do. After the events of the past few years, I realize that my belief system differs from that which is represented in media, politics, schools, and just about everywhere. Have you noticed? How is it that we can all be on different sides of everything and each of us still think we are right? How do we determine if what we think is true? Does it just happen? Do we go with whatever sounds right? There is a reason for the way we think. I submit the reason is ultimately based on our belief system.

For example, I think there is a difference between right and wrong and that difference is outlined in the Bible through examples and principles. Someone else might believe in another religion and value different things. Others may not believe in anything, which provides for a purely self-made and self-serving belief system.

As a believer in the God of the Bible, I have a predisposition to believe what the Bible says before believing anything else. For example, I believe children are to be protected and raised in the love and admonition of The Lord. (Ephesians 6:4) It is wrong if they are manipulated, abused or harmed. It is right that marriage consists of one man and one woman. (Matthew 19:4-6) It is wrong for people to engage in premarital or extramarital sex, (Acts 15:20) or for a union of same sex individuals to be considered a true marriage. (Romans 1:28-29) I believe our basic purpose in life is to love God and worship Him (Luke 10:27) and not the constant swirl around sexuality that is promoted today.

I think it’s wrong to steal even if, by stealing, we can benefit. (Exodus 20:15) This applies whether we’re stealing money or a spouse from someone else. I think violence is abhorrent and is despicable especially when it is directed toward the innocent or unsuspecting. (Romans 12:18-19) I think parents are to be respected by their children. (Exodus 20:12 / Ephesians 6:1-3) I think parents are to care for their children, to provide for them and teach them how to live life well, preferably directing them in the ways of God. (Ephesians 6:4) I think it is wrong to murder.(Exodus 20:13) I think it is wrong to lie about others or misrepresent truth in such a way as to make a false statement about them. (Exodus 20:16)

Whether you think similarly to me or not, you probably have an opinion about all of the topics mentioned. It is likely that your opinions are based on your belief (or disbelief) in something. So if you offer your opinion on any of these topics, I can probably determine something about your core beliefs. If we do not start with a belief in an all knowing and all loving God who created us, a God who has the right to make the rules, a God who always has the last word; then we might start to think that we make the rules, that we determine what is right and wrong, that we have the final say about everything. When that happens we develop our own truth, our own right and wrong, and our own morals. If we have nothing directing us in the right way we are bound to land in the wrong place.

What and how we think hinges on our starting point. If the basis is shaky, abstract or unfounded, then the result will be shaky, abstract and unfounded. The only way to end in the right place is to start in the right place. What we believe matters. We either believe in nothing and make up our own way or we believe in something and fashion what we think, do and live around that. As believers, all of our beliefs and thoughts need to be founded on God and truth. That’s why Genesis 1:1 is so important. It tells us where to start. It tells us about God and how everything started with Him. It sets the stage for everything that is to come. Without this knowledge we are left to guess at everything. With this knowledge, we know the why and way to live. God makes sense of it all. That’s why, as believers, we must always go back to our source. We go back to the beginning.