Power filled Positive Thinking-chapter 16c- The Gravest Type II Error of Mankind
As we began this chapter, I spoke of the Power to reject the null hypotheses of life. We are not mere victims of whatever chance may bring. In Christ we have the power to reject the null hypotheses and find meaning, purpose, peace and joy in this world. We can have the power that can give us hope in the midst of our darkest trials—the power that can cause a bleeding broken heart to love again, and the power that lifts us out of our darkest moments of despair, causing us to sing with joy. The knowledge of who I am in Christ fills me with just that kind of power. It is not a power based on what I can do to make myself better. It is not based upon my “thinking myself” into being a better person. It is not a power based upon my own abilities to transform myself into someone worthy of God’s love or even man’s love. It is a power based upon the truth of the Gospel.
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The power that can bring true joy in the midst of trials can only be found in a relationship with God. That power was purchased by God’s grace and freely bestowed upon this broken vessel right where I am. It is His power in me that is my hope. It is knowing that He is Sovereign over my life.
The power to always rejoice in praise comes from knowing that I am His beloved, chosen, blessed, redeemed Child—heir of royalty. He will complete the work He began in me. My futile human efforts can never measure up; however, His mighty work in and through me cannot be thwarted by my stumbling and bumbling. Only a mighty, powerful God can take all my failures and turn them into His success story. That is amazing!! That is Grace!! That is the gospel!!
As in this chapter we have spoken in statistical terms, let me first define for you the TYPE II error in statistics. It occurs when we accept the null hypothesis when the null is false. In this instance, the null hypothesis that the world presents to us is that there is no relationship which man can have with God. Instead, as a race we want to believe Satan’s first lie which was that we are capable to be our own gods—defining our own destiny. The gravest error of mankind is the failure to reject that null. Our gravest error is not to recognize that the joy, love, happiness and beauty we desire can only be found in a relationship with our creator. We were created to be lavished with His love, His joy and His Glory; but, as long as we accept the false null hypothesis of mankind, we cannot find Him–even though He is reaching out to us.
“What Satan put into the heads of our remote ancestors was the idea that they could “be like gods”—could set up on their own as if they had created themselves—be their own masters—invent some sort of happiness for themselves outside God, apart from God. And out of that hopeless attempt has come nearly all that we call human history—money, poverty, ambition, war, prostitution, classes, empires, slavery—the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy. God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.” C. S. Lewis From Mere Christianity
“6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5).
“17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3).
God sooooo loved the world—did you hear that? Yet, mankind chose darkness. Think of this. No greater tragedy, injustice, and sorrow has ever occurred than the truth that perfect righteousness died on the cross in agony. But He chose to so that you and I might be restored to a relationship with God. To reject His offer of salvation is to accept the lie of mankind’s null hypothesis. The power to reject the null is found in Christ alone. In Christ, we have newness of life. The world’s greatest sorrow (Christ on the Cross) should bring us to tears. Yet, it is that tragedy which is the power to bring us love, peace and joy. God’s great mystery as penned in this old hymn.
Love and grief my heart dividing,
With my tears His feet I’ll lave–
Constant still in heart abiding,
Weep for Him who died to save.
May I still enjoy this feeling
In all need to Jesus go
Prove His wounds each day more healing
And Himself more deeply know
-Author Unknown
Should it be any wonder, that in the midst of our greatest sorrows; we come to know His Joy in us?
Listen to this Song Where Joy and Sorrow Meet
©2015 Effie Darlene Barba
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