Have you ever been snookered?  No, not the “too much drinking snookered.”  The other kind.  We don’t use that word very often so let me use another one-a phrase-”getting the wool pulled over our eyes.”  You have been purposely deceived. You stand up for someone who gives you a “story” and when it all shakes out you find you were used and lied to.  Snookered.  One of the best examples in the Bible of someone being snookered is found in Joshua 9.  I would like to ask you to read that portion but in case you don’t have the time (or desire) let me capsulize it for you.  When the fame of Joshua had spread after Jericho and Ai, the Gibeonites planned a ruse.  The went the whole nine yards too.  Clothing, provisions, wineskins-everything was old and worn-out.  It was all part of the ruse to “snooker” Joshua into a covenant with them.  I think a key to Joshua’s failure to see the ruse is found in verse 14: “So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the Lord.” Hmmm, I may  be wrong but didn’t that just happen earlier in their defeat at Ai?  It was only after the fact that they found out about Achan’s sin.   Anyway, Joshua and his leaders were snookered by the ruse of the Gibeonites.   There are other examples in the Bible of deception for the purpose of personal gain or one’s agenda.  You can find another good one in Esther when Haman snookered King Artexerxes into signing a decree to get rid of all Jews.

I have thought about this because of today’s (Sunday) sermon on Godliness.  So many people are snookered into thinking that personal holiness or godliness is determined by what a person wears or listens to or acts like or what rules & regulations they abide by.  In reality, Godliness is not based on any of those.  Tragically, it is often a way used to manipulate people into living a certain way or acting a certain way. IMHO living a life pleasing to God is the result of God’s work in my life not living a life so I can win God’s favor.  That will never work.

Let me take it a step further: people are snookered when they think that by doing things they are saved.  I was reading in Romans 4 this morning and read these words: “For if it is the adherents of the law who are be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void….That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring…Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (vv.14,16; 5:1)  I don’t know about you but that about nails the coffin shut for me on the Law and works saving anyone.  But how often do you and I meet people who are relying on the Law or some list of rules and regulations to save them?

What are your thoughts on this?  Do you agree/disagree?  Feel free to tell your thoughts.  What other ways are people snookered? I want to let you know that Jo & I are making a quick trip to Ohio to take care of some business (and yes visit our grandson)   so if you make a comment and it is not immediately posted, please be patient.  I plan to get back into town sometime in the afternoon.  I will post and respond then.  Thanks.