The national anthem. Kneeling football players refusing to stand. Angry people, insulted by the "disrespect" shown to the flag and country it represents. Amidst the roiling turmoil, Christians have raised their voices in disgust as well. But does it really matter? Is this a cause that should be of the utmost importance to the advancement of the gospel and kingdom of Christ, that we as Christians need to become involved in it? Does Christ expect us to be patriotic? These are real questions that we should all ask ourselves.
As for being patriotic, the Bible teaches us to be in subjection to our leaders, to obey the laws of the land, pay our taxes, and respect those in authority (Romans 13:1-7). However, you will be hard pressed to find a passage of scripture that would teach us to be patriotic. It is not "God and country" as so many Christians believe. The exact opposite is true. The bible also abundantly teaches us that we as Christians are strangers and pilgrims in a world that is not our home (1 Peter 1:1; Heb 11:8-10, 13-16, 13:14). In fact we are exhorted to come out and be separate (2 Cor 6:17), to not be conformed to the world (Romans 12:2), and not to love the world (1 John 2:15).
Contrary to popular opinion, America is not a godly nation, it is not God's chosen people, and is not currently serving God. Like all of the other nations of this world, it is enshrouded in spiritual darkness, the hearts and minds of the people blinded by the god of this age (2 Cor 4:4). Look at the rampant sin, the disdain for God and His ways, all of the wicked things that this nation does and allows, and ask yourself how it could be possible as a Christian to be filled with patriotic fervor? Whose side our we on? Do we love Christ or this world? It can't be both.
We are in this world, but not of it (John 17:14-18), citizens of Christ's kingdom. As Christ's ambassadors our purpose is not to fix this world, not to make our nation great again, but to lead others to repentance and faith, that they too would escape the corruption of this sinful world, and find refuge in Christ Jesus. We read that someday the kingdoms of this world will all come to nought. This world and all it stands for will someday be destroyed (2 Peter 3:8-13; 1 John 2:16-17). We are called to follow Jesus, to obey Him, to live by His word, and to make His kingdom the all consuming priority of our lives, while we wait for a new heavens and earth where righteousness dwells. Don't let yourself get sidetracked by other things, and as a result lose out in the end. When we appear before Christ, it will not be about our protests, our defense of the pledge of allegiance or the national anthem, but we will be judged by our obedience to Christ.
Showing posts with label worldliness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label worldliness. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Saturday, August 13, 2016
Redeem the Time!
Only one life 'twill soon be passed. Only what's done for Christ will last. C.T. StuddAs I was out doing some yard work this morning, I began to reflect back over the years of my life. I looked back at things that were milestones in my life, but I also looked back at those things that seemed so empty and meaningless, and realized that so much of my life has been wasted living for the here and now, and so little has been done for the cause of Christ.
Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I has exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun (Ecclesiastes 2:11).To be sure, we all have our jobs and families to look after and care for. Jesus expects us to be responsible for them. To do less is to deny the faith (1 Tim 5:8). Yet, it seems that for so many of us, our lives never rise any higher than the temporal. We say we are living for Christ, but in reality we spend our time at our jobs, at our hobbies, working for a vacation, looking to get ahead a little bit in this world. We enjoy our friends and families, which in itself is fine, but we rise no higher. At the end of the day, we are only pursuing our own interests, at the expense of Christ's.
If all we ever accomplish in this life is merely our daily routine, we have failed miserably. We are admonished to seek first the kingdom of God (Matt 6:33). It does not cut it to live out our days for ourselves, go to Church on Sunday and Wednesday evening, and think that we are on fire Christians. We are supposed to be dead to this world, our lives are supposed to be hidden with Christ. As those who are risen with Christ, we are to be seeking those things that are above (Col 3:1-3). That kind of life should be quite different from that which so many of us are used to!
Paul has this to say, "Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil (Eph 5:15-16). Walking as wise men, making the most of our time! Time goes by so swiftly. The years seem to fly by, opportunities come and go, some we will never have again! Our lives as Christians are not about us, but are absolutely, totally to be lived all out for Christ. Let us redeem the time that is left, making the most of every opportunity. Whatever is done, no matter how good the deed, noble the motive, is still empty if it was not done for Christ.
Monday, December 7, 2015
Dead to the World.
But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Galatians 6:14 NASB
The cross of Christ is a barrier between the believer and the world. By it, the disciple has died to this world; he has forsaken it for the kingdom of God. And by the cross, this world has lost its attraction for the child of God. His mind is set upon heavenly things, and his life is hidden with Christ in God (Col 3:1-3).
In scripture we are warned that to have friendship with the world is to be an enemy of God (James 4:4). Those who love the world cannot love God (1 John 2:15-17). Even though we see such plain warnings in the world of God, we often tend to overlook them. We speak of "worldly" Christians, but the plain teaching of scripture is that we as Christians are to come out of the world and be separate from it. In reality there is no such thing as a worldly Christian, for the Christian is not of this world according to Jesus Christ (John 15:19, 17:14-16).
Once again, the answer is found in the cross of Christ. This is the means by which we die to the world and all of its attractions. The Apostle Paul states that He is "Crucified with Christ" (Gal 2:20). Dead men have no plans or agendas. A man on the cross could do nothing. His life was over. He had no more purpose in this world but to die. Likewise, as we come to the cross in total surrender to the claims and Lordship of Jesus Christ, we lay down absolutely everything. all of our hopes and dreams, plans and purposes, all we hold dear, we forsake it all, and pick up the cross by which we must die (Mark 9:34-34).
This is the standard for all who profess to follow Christ,
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Galatians 5:24 NASB
Galatians 6:14 NASB
The cross of Christ is a barrier between the believer and the world. By it, the disciple has died to this world; he has forsaken it for the kingdom of God. And by the cross, this world has lost its attraction for the child of God. His mind is set upon heavenly things, and his life is hidden with Christ in God (Col 3:1-3).
In scripture we are warned that to have friendship with the world is to be an enemy of God (James 4:4). Those who love the world cannot love God (1 John 2:15-17). Even though we see such plain warnings in the world of God, we often tend to overlook them. We speak of "worldly" Christians, but the plain teaching of scripture is that we as Christians are to come out of the world and be separate from it. In reality there is no such thing as a worldly Christian, for the Christian is not of this world according to Jesus Christ (John 15:19, 17:14-16).
Once again, the answer is found in the cross of Christ. This is the means by which we die to the world and all of its attractions. The Apostle Paul states that He is "Crucified with Christ" (Gal 2:20). Dead men have no plans or agendas. A man on the cross could do nothing. His life was over. He had no more purpose in this world but to die. Likewise, as we come to the cross in total surrender to the claims and Lordship of Jesus Christ, we lay down absolutely everything. all of our hopes and dreams, plans and purposes, all we hold dear, we forsake it all, and pick up the cross by which we must die (Mark 9:34-34).
This is the standard for all who profess to follow Christ,
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Galatians 5:24 NASB
Saturday, October 31, 2015
Tattoos, Yoga Pants, and the Cultural Relevance of the Modern Church.
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 5: 13-16 KJV
Jesus calls us to stand out, to be different. As Christians, we are called to "come out from among them and be separate" (2 Cor 6:17), and to noncomformity to the ways of this world (Romans 12:2).
Could it be that in our rush to be culturally relevant, to engage the society around us, we have lost our saltiness? Has the professing Church become so much like the world, that it is hard to tell them apart? Has the fog of lukewarm compromise set in and hidden the city on a hill? Have we as the professing body of Christ, in our concern not to upset others; in our desire to be inclusive, actually put a basket over the candle?
In our arguments and debates over liberty and freedom in Christ, let us ever be mindful of the fact that as Christians, we are Christ's representatives upon this earth. The world should not be able to look at us and see a reflection of itself, it should see us as radically different. After all, if we have been translated out of the kingdom of darkness, and placed within the kingdom of the Son of God, shouldn't that change how we live and appear before others (Col 1:13)?
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 5: 13-16 KJV
Jesus calls us to stand out, to be different. As Christians, we are called to "come out from among them and be separate" (2 Cor 6:17), and to noncomformity to the ways of this world (Romans 12:2).
Could it be that in our rush to be culturally relevant, to engage the society around us, we have lost our saltiness? Has the professing Church become so much like the world, that it is hard to tell them apart? Has the fog of lukewarm compromise set in and hidden the city on a hill? Have we as the professing body of Christ, in our concern not to upset others; in our desire to be inclusive, actually put a basket over the candle?
In our arguments and debates over liberty and freedom in Christ, let us ever be mindful of the fact that as Christians, we are Christ's representatives upon this earth. The world should not be able to look at us and see a reflection of itself, it should see us as radically different. After all, if we have been translated out of the kingdom of darkness, and placed within the kingdom of the Son of God, shouldn't that change how we live and appear before others (Col 1:13)?
Saturday, September 12, 2015
Are You Anchored To This Life?
For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven.
2 Corinthians 5:1-2 NASB
We as Christians are supposed to be strangers and aliens upon this earth ( Hebrews 11:13-16; 1 Peter 1:1). Following the example of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, we are called to live in this world as in a foreign land, looking with eyes of faith to the promise of our heavenly home (Hebrews 11:8-10). This is the reality; That which is natural (What we see) is temporal, that which is spiritual (unseen) is eternal (2 Cor 4:18).
Can we relate to this? Do we in fact groan in this life of ours? Are we longing to be home? Are we indeed travelling this life empty handed, not weighed down with the cares and troubles of this life, not burdened by the pursuit of material things (Matt 13:22), but instead living with a singleness of purpose for the glory of God, as His ambassadors upon this earth?
Jesus warns us against laying up treasures in this life. Our possessions will steal our hearts (Matt 6:19-21). Yet we see so many professed believers living in abundance, accumulating temporal things, focused on the here and now. They seem to be finding their happiness in the things that they own and the activities they enjoy. The hunger for God is gone, the longing for their real home has faded. Sadly, their possessions will anchor them to this earth! They have no treasure being laid up in heaven. They have over the course of time, transferred their citizenship to the kingdom of this world.
2 Corinthians 5:1-2 NASB
We as Christians are supposed to be strangers and aliens upon this earth ( Hebrews 11:13-16; 1 Peter 1:1). Following the example of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, we are called to live in this world as in a foreign land, looking with eyes of faith to the promise of our heavenly home (Hebrews 11:8-10). This is the reality; That which is natural (What we see) is temporal, that which is spiritual (unseen) is eternal (2 Cor 4:18).
Can we relate to this? Do we in fact groan in this life of ours? Are we longing to be home? Are we indeed travelling this life empty handed, not weighed down with the cares and troubles of this life, not burdened by the pursuit of material things (Matt 13:22), but instead living with a singleness of purpose for the glory of God, as His ambassadors upon this earth?
Jesus warns us against laying up treasures in this life. Our possessions will steal our hearts (Matt 6:19-21). Yet we see so many professed believers living in abundance, accumulating temporal things, focused on the here and now. They seem to be finding their happiness in the things that they own and the activities they enjoy. The hunger for God is gone, the longing for their real home has faded. Sadly, their possessions will anchor them to this earth! They have no treasure being laid up in heaven. They have over the course of time, transferred their citizenship to the kingdom of this world.
Monday, June 1, 2015
Contending for the Faith: Strangers and Exiles.
Contending for the Faith: Strangers and Exiles.: All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confess...
Saturday, May 23, 2015
The Mystery of Lawlessness
For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way.
2 Thessalonians 2:7 NASB
We see a mystery of lawlessness at work today. We have a society with no standards. We are witnessing a complete moral decay in our culture today. Things that were shameful to even mention just a few generations ago, are now brazenly shoved in our faces by people with no shame.
Sin (rebellion) has indeed been in the world from the very day the serpent cast doubt into the heart of Eve; "Hath God said (Genesis 3:1)?" Nations and civilizations have plunged into the depths of depravity, in the same way we see today, doing shameful things with increasing boldness, until they crumbled and fell. John tells us that the whole world lies under the power of the evil one (1 John 5:19).
Tragically, the professing Church has in a great measure embraced the sinful lifestyles of the world around it. This casting off of restraint has permeated the Church. It takes no great stretch of the imagination to see a great falling away from the faith in this day (2 Thess 2:3; 1 Timothy 4:1) What God intended to be the pillar and foundation of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15), no longer holds to absolutes. Things have become blurred. What was once held forth as truth, is now rejected as being outdated, irrelevant, and no longer culturally acceptable.
The word of God tells of a time when men will no longer endure sound doctrine, but instead, will seek out teachers who will tell them the things that they want to hear. They will turn away from the truth, and embrace teachings that promote their sinful cravings (2 Timothy 3-4). Paul makes it clear in this passage of scripture, that it is lust; the passions and cravings of mankind, that lie at the heart of this departure from truth. Men reject truth, because it goes against their selfish desires.
Look at what the word of God has to say about lust. In Ephesians 2:2-3, Paul writes that the believers in Ephesus had at one time walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, and the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience. He goes on to write that we all lived in this way in times past, fulfilling the lusts of the mind and the flesh. By nature, we were children of wrath. What does he mean by nature? He means selfishness; living for our passions and lusts, not caring how our lifestyles and actions affect God or anybody else. This is at the heart of sin and rebellion.
Notice what James tells us about temptation in James 1:13-15. We are tempted when we are drawn away by our lusts. Something catches our attention, excites our passions, and then we give into our desire and sin. Notice how the serpent enticed the desire of Eve (Genesis 3:6). The serpent had brought the character of God into question, and now Eve, looking upon the forbidden tree with it's fruit, has the boldness to partake of it, give some to Adam, and sin. She chose to gratify her passion rather than obey God. Peter warns us to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against our souls (1 Peter 2:11).
Lust is the source of the corruption that is in the world (2 Peter 1:4). When you look at all of the killing, the broken homes, the sexual immorality, dishonesty, anarchy, and so on, in this world, understand that it is the fruit of selfish man in pursuit of his inner lusts. The lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the boastful pride of life, is what has made this world what it is today (1 John 2:15-17).
We see something interesting in the account of the temptation of Jesus. The devil took Jesus up to a high mountain, and showed Him all of the kingdoms of the world. He then offered Jesus all of these kingdoms, if He would fall down and worship him (Matthew 4:8-9). Now either the devil is lying, and cannot give these kingdoms to anyone, or he actually controls them. The Bible tells us that the whole world lies under his power (1 John 5:19). We are told that sin entered the world, and death through sin, by the transgression of Adam (Genesis 3:6-7; Romans 5:12-14). At the point of Adams sin, Satan gained control of this world, enticing men, through their desires, causing them to sin. I do not believe that the devil is personally tempting someone every time they sin; man is fully capable of arousing his passions on his own, but ultimately, the devil has his way as man selfishly lives for the gratification of his inner desires. We are told that the "god of this age" has blinded the minds of unbelievers, lest the light of the gospel should shine on them (2 Cor 4:4). Jesus teaches us that the wicked one takes away the word that is sown in hard hearts (Matthew 13:4, 19). The kingdom of this world is held under the power of darkness (Col 1:13), it's inhabitants held captive by the devil (2 Timothy 2:26).
When one looks at the consequences of suppressing truth in unrighteousness, that is to reject the revelation of God to your soul, in favor of a god of your own making, it becomes evident that we are witnessing the "giving up by God" in a very large measure in society today (Romans 1:18-32). Understand that this is a judgment of God against those who reject Him. He allows them to advance deeper and deeper into moral filth. Read this passage of scripture, and let it sink in. The wicked lifestyles that we see running rampant today, are the tragic results of an individual, a society, a nation, that has been given over to depravity, by God. Paul says the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who hold the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18). He goes on to list sins that are running rampant today. Fornication, homosexuality, murder, deceit, slander, among many others named, are found everywhere, even within the professing Church today. We even see "Christian ministers and teachers encouraging and promoting such things today. Once again, understand that to plunge into the depths of depravity, is a sign of being "turned over" by God. He is letting go, allowing you to persist in sin, unrestrained.
Paul tells us that the mystery of lawlessness is at work until the one who restrains is taken out of the way. Imagine a world where there is no longer any moral restraint. What we see now is evil enough. We have witnessed a great moral decline in a very short time, yet God still restrains it. He may let some go as we have just seen, but yet He is restraining evil. Imagine a world where there is no longer any restraint! This is what will occur prior to the return of Christ. The world will be filled with all manner of sin and wickedness, such as has never been seen yet.
Jesus Christ, in offering Himself for fallen man, has defeated the powers of darkness (Col 2:15). He came to destroy the devil's works (1 John 3:8), and has rendered him (Satan) powerless (Hebrews 2:14). We have victory in Christ. We are set free from bondage to sin. We no longer have to give in to temptation, we no longer have to fall, we have been delivered from this present evil age (Galatians 1:4). Through faith in Christ, we have everything we need for life and godliness, being made partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:3-40. In Christ, we are a new creation. The old is gone, the new is come. In other words, we are changed (2 Cor 5:17). This is the gospel, salvation from sin.
This is great news for mankind, and we should be shouting it from the rooftops. Sadly, many in the professing Church today keep this news from the very ones who need it. A great many teachers take it upon themselves to redefine sin, telling those bound in its grip, that what they are doing is who they are; they were born that way, some even say that God made them that way. Instead of taking the word of God for what it says, they use science and psychology to explain why we are the way we are.
Some teach that God forgives, but they leave out repentance, and the fact that salvation is a life change. They fail to teach others that salvation is more than forgiveness, it is freedom from sinning as well.
Others choose to be silent. They do not wish to offend or hurt another. They think that it is unloving to confront an individual in sin. They are quick to cry "judge not!" Sadly, their "love" is leaving people hell bound, lost in sin.
We see a Church today that is affirming sinful lifestyles, encouraging people to cast of guilt and shame, and to have a high esteem of themselves. We have become "politically correct." We care more about including everybody, than we care about their eternal souls, and the purity of the Church.
This is the mystery of lawlessness at work. Teachers and pastors are led by their passions and desires instead of the word of God. We have decided to become like the world, instead of forsaking the world, in the hopes of bringing in people. Jesus warns us that the enemy will sow tares among the wheat, and this is exactly what we see happening today (Matt 13:25).
We are in desperate need of a spiritual revival within the Church today. O how we need to be awakened, and turned from the lukewarm worldliness, and lethargy that is so prevalent among God's professing children today. We are called to be the light of the world, a city on a hill. We are to be salt, but it seems that we have lost much of our saltiness (Matt 5:13-14). It is time to cry out to God; to humble ourselves before Him, and seek His face, that He would come in power once again, and fill His Church with His glory; that he would cleanse us, so that we would be found by Him holy and unblemished, free from spot or wrinkle (Ephesians 5:26-27). This is our present need- the presence of Christ within our midst.
2 Thessalonians 2:7 NASB
We see a mystery of lawlessness at work today. We have a society with no standards. We are witnessing a complete moral decay in our culture today. Things that were shameful to even mention just a few generations ago, are now brazenly shoved in our faces by people with no shame.
Sin (rebellion) has indeed been in the world from the very day the serpent cast doubt into the heart of Eve; "Hath God said (Genesis 3:1)?" Nations and civilizations have plunged into the depths of depravity, in the same way we see today, doing shameful things with increasing boldness, until they crumbled and fell. John tells us that the whole world lies under the power of the evil one (1 John 5:19).
Tragically, the professing Church has in a great measure embraced the sinful lifestyles of the world around it. This casting off of restraint has permeated the Church. It takes no great stretch of the imagination to see a great falling away from the faith in this day (2 Thess 2:3; 1 Timothy 4:1) What God intended to be the pillar and foundation of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15), no longer holds to absolutes. Things have become blurred. What was once held forth as truth, is now rejected as being outdated, irrelevant, and no longer culturally acceptable.
The word of God tells of a time when men will no longer endure sound doctrine, but instead, will seek out teachers who will tell them the things that they want to hear. They will turn away from the truth, and embrace teachings that promote their sinful cravings (2 Timothy 3-4). Paul makes it clear in this passage of scripture, that it is lust; the passions and cravings of mankind, that lie at the heart of this departure from truth. Men reject truth, because it goes against their selfish desires.
Look at what the word of God has to say about lust. In Ephesians 2:2-3, Paul writes that the believers in Ephesus had at one time walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, and the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience. He goes on to write that we all lived in this way in times past, fulfilling the lusts of the mind and the flesh. By nature, we were children of wrath. What does he mean by nature? He means selfishness; living for our passions and lusts, not caring how our lifestyles and actions affect God or anybody else. This is at the heart of sin and rebellion.
Notice what James tells us about temptation in James 1:13-15. We are tempted when we are drawn away by our lusts. Something catches our attention, excites our passions, and then we give into our desire and sin. Notice how the serpent enticed the desire of Eve (Genesis 3:6). The serpent had brought the character of God into question, and now Eve, looking upon the forbidden tree with it's fruit, has the boldness to partake of it, give some to Adam, and sin. She chose to gratify her passion rather than obey God. Peter warns us to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against our souls (1 Peter 2:11).
Lust is the source of the corruption that is in the world (2 Peter 1:4). When you look at all of the killing, the broken homes, the sexual immorality, dishonesty, anarchy, and so on, in this world, understand that it is the fruit of selfish man in pursuit of his inner lusts. The lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the boastful pride of life, is what has made this world what it is today (1 John 2:15-17).
We see something interesting in the account of the temptation of Jesus. The devil took Jesus up to a high mountain, and showed Him all of the kingdoms of the world. He then offered Jesus all of these kingdoms, if He would fall down and worship him (Matthew 4:8-9). Now either the devil is lying, and cannot give these kingdoms to anyone, or he actually controls them. The Bible tells us that the whole world lies under his power (1 John 5:19). We are told that sin entered the world, and death through sin, by the transgression of Adam (Genesis 3:6-7; Romans 5:12-14). At the point of Adams sin, Satan gained control of this world, enticing men, through their desires, causing them to sin. I do not believe that the devil is personally tempting someone every time they sin; man is fully capable of arousing his passions on his own, but ultimately, the devil has his way as man selfishly lives for the gratification of his inner desires. We are told that the "god of this age" has blinded the minds of unbelievers, lest the light of the gospel should shine on them (2 Cor 4:4). Jesus teaches us that the wicked one takes away the word that is sown in hard hearts (Matthew 13:4, 19). The kingdom of this world is held under the power of darkness (Col 1:13), it's inhabitants held captive by the devil (2 Timothy 2:26).
When one looks at the consequences of suppressing truth in unrighteousness, that is to reject the revelation of God to your soul, in favor of a god of your own making, it becomes evident that we are witnessing the "giving up by God" in a very large measure in society today (Romans 1:18-32). Understand that this is a judgment of God against those who reject Him. He allows them to advance deeper and deeper into moral filth. Read this passage of scripture, and let it sink in. The wicked lifestyles that we see running rampant today, are the tragic results of an individual, a society, a nation, that has been given over to depravity, by God. Paul says the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who hold the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18). He goes on to list sins that are running rampant today. Fornication, homosexuality, murder, deceit, slander, among many others named, are found everywhere, even within the professing Church today. We even see "Christian ministers and teachers encouraging and promoting such things today. Once again, understand that to plunge into the depths of depravity, is a sign of being "turned over" by God. He is letting go, allowing you to persist in sin, unrestrained.
Paul tells us that the mystery of lawlessness is at work until the one who restrains is taken out of the way. Imagine a world where there is no longer any moral restraint. What we see now is evil enough. We have witnessed a great moral decline in a very short time, yet God still restrains it. He may let some go as we have just seen, but yet He is restraining evil. Imagine a world where there is no longer any restraint! This is what will occur prior to the return of Christ. The world will be filled with all manner of sin and wickedness, such as has never been seen yet.
Jesus Christ, in offering Himself for fallen man, has defeated the powers of darkness (Col 2:15). He came to destroy the devil's works (1 John 3:8), and has rendered him (Satan) powerless (Hebrews 2:14). We have victory in Christ. We are set free from bondage to sin. We no longer have to give in to temptation, we no longer have to fall, we have been delivered from this present evil age (Galatians 1:4). Through faith in Christ, we have everything we need for life and godliness, being made partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:3-40. In Christ, we are a new creation. The old is gone, the new is come. In other words, we are changed (2 Cor 5:17). This is the gospel, salvation from sin.
This is great news for mankind, and we should be shouting it from the rooftops. Sadly, many in the professing Church today keep this news from the very ones who need it. A great many teachers take it upon themselves to redefine sin, telling those bound in its grip, that what they are doing is who they are; they were born that way, some even say that God made them that way. Instead of taking the word of God for what it says, they use science and psychology to explain why we are the way we are.
Some teach that God forgives, but they leave out repentance, and the fact that salvation is a life change. They fail to teach others that salvation is more than forgiveness, it is freedom from sinning as well.
Others choose to be silent. They do not wish to offend or hurt another. They think that it is unloving to confront an individual in sin. They are quick to cry "judge not!" Sadly, their "love" is leaving people hell bound, lost in sin.
We see a Church today that is affirming sinful lifestyles, encouraging people to cast of guilt and shame, and to have a high esteem of themselves. We have become "politically correct." We care more about including everybody, than we care about their eternal souls, and the purity of the Church.
This is the mystery of lawlessness at work. Teachers and pastors are led by their passions and desires instead of the word of God. We have decided to become like the world, instead of forsaking the world, in the hopes of bringing in people. Jesus warns us that the enemy will sow tares among the wheat, and this is exactly what we see happening today (Matt 13:25).
We are in desperate need of a spiritual revival within the Church today. O how we need to be awakened, and turned from the lukewarm worldliness, and lethargy that is so prevalent among God's professing children today. We are called to be the light of the world, a city on a hill. We are to be salt, but it seems that we have lost much of our saltiness (Matt 5:13-14). It is time to cry out to God; to humble ourselves before Him, and seek His face, that He would come in power once again, and fill His Church with His glory; that he would cleanse us, so that we would be found by Him holy and unblemished, free from spot or wrinkle (Ephesians 5:26-27). This is our present need- the presence of Christ within our midst.
Thursday, December 25, 2014
Heavenly Minded.
There is a saying that one can be so heavenly minded, that they are of no earthly good. It seems that if someone gets passionate about Jesus, gets serious about living for Him, they are shut down by some professed believer who is a little uncomfortable with their zeal.
However, this is what God calls us to as followers of Christ,
Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth.
For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:1-3 NASB
As followers of Christ, our life does not consist in the abundance of the earthly things we possess (Luke 12:15). Our life is not about all of our temporal, earthly pursuits (2 Tim 2:4). Jesus teaches us that even the necessities of life are not to become the end all of our existence here in this life (Matt 6:25-34).
Sadly, too many professed believers spend their lives in the hustle and bustle of this world. Days are filled with jobs, daycare, after school activities, and so on. There are too few hours in a day to juggle everything that we try to pursue. In the eyes of the world, this is wonderful, as we climb the ladder to success.
But at what cost? What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, only to lose his soul (Mark 8:36). While we chase the temporal things of this life our prayer life dwindles, our hunger for the word diminishes, and our love for the presence of Jesus Christ grows cold.
To be earthly minded causes us to be ineffective for the kingdom of God. While we pursue temporal things, the eternal things slip away. We wonder why our unsaved loved ones never get saved, but how can we expect them to when we are too wrapped up with ourselves to make an honest effort to reach them? Jesus teaches us to lay up treasure in heaven, not on this earth (Matt 6:19-21).
Consider the Apostle Paul. He claimed to do only one thing. That was to pursue Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:7-14). Out of that one thing however, flowed missionary trips, church planting, the writing of 2/3 of the new testament, and a multitude of other exploits that advanced the kingdom of God in a way that no other man has probably equaled in the history of the Church.
Paul was a dead man, crucified with Christ, yet Christ lived through Him (Gal 2:20). In other words, he had no personal plans of his own. His mind was not on the temporal things of this life, he was focused on Jesus, and doing those things that Christ called him to do.
Imagine what we could do if we had this same attitude. What if we would forget about material success, and only live for the kingdom of God. We would have to adjust our standard of living quite a bit, but in the eyes of eternity it would make a great difference. Imagine what would happen if we were empty of self and full of the Spirit? Think of the souls we could reach with the power and presence of God.
Set your mind on the things above! This is where your life is, if you truly belong to the kingdom of God.
However, this is what God calls us to as followers of Christ,
Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth.
For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:1-3 NASB
As followers of Christ, our life does not consist in the abundance of the earthly things we possess (Luke 12:15). Our life is not about all of our temporal, earthly pursuits (2 Tim 2:4). Jesus teaches us that even the necessities of life are not to become the end all of our existence here in this life (Matt 6:25-34).
Sadly, too many professed believers spend their lives in the hustle and bustle of this world. Days are filled with jobs, daycare, after school activities, and so on. There are too few hours in a day to juggle everything that we try to pursue. In the eyes of the world, this is wonderful, as we climb the ladder to success.
But at what cost? What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, only to lose his soul (Mark 8:36). While we chase the temporal things of this life our prayer life dwindles, our hunger for the word diminishes, and our love for the presence of Jesus Christ grows cold.
To be earthly minded causes us to be ineffective for the kingdom of God. While we pursue temporal things, the eternal things slip away. We wonder why our unsaved loved ones never get saved, but how can we expect them to when we are too wrapped up with ourselves to make an honest effort to reach them? Jesus teaches us to lay up treasure in heaven, not on this earth (Matt 6:19-21).
Consider the Apostle Paul. He claimed to do only one thing. That was to pursue Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:7-14). Out of that one thing however, flowed missionary trips, church planting, the writing of 2/3 of the new testament, and a multitude of other exploits that advanced the kingdom of God in a way that no other man has probably equaled in the history of the Church.
Paul was a dead man, crucified with Christ, yet Christ lived through Him (Gal 2:20). In other words, he had no personal plans of his own. His mind was not on the temporal things of this life, he was focused on Jesus, and doing those things that Christ called him to do.
Imagine what we could do if we had this same attitude. What if we would forget about material success, and only live for the kingdom of God. We would have to adjust our standard of living quite a bit, but in the eyes of eternity it would make a great difference. Imagine what would happen if we were empty of self and full of the Spirit? Think of the souls we could reach with the power and presence of God.
Set your mind on the things above! This is where your life is, if you truly belong to the kingdom of God.
Sunday, November 9, 2014
Are You Loved by the World?
There are many scripture passages which we can judge our lives by to show us whether our Christianity is real or not.
If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.
John 15:19 NASB
See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
1 John 3:1 NASB
As Christians we have nothing in common with this world. We are called out to follow Christ, and the world cannot comprehend this. This world lies in the power of the evil one (1 John 5:19), and men love the darkness rather than the light, because their deeds are evil (John 3:19).
We have been delivered from this present evil age (Galatians 1:4), rescued from the domain of darkness, and placed into the kingdom of Christ (Col 1:13).
Therefore, what fellowship does righteousness have with lawlessness, or light with darkness, or Christ with Belial? What do we as believers in Christ have in common with unbelievers, or the temple of God, which we are, with idols (2 Cor 6:14-16).
Get the idea? As Christians we go against the grain, we are not following the selfish pursuits of this world. Following Christ runs in opposition to the ways of this world, and the world hates us for this.
Just as Cain killed Abel because his deeds were evil, and Abel's were not, the world will also hate those who live righteous lives in Christ Jesus (1 John 3:12-13). Everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to it because he does not want his evil deeds exposed (John 3:20).
This is how it is, and is an indicator of the validity of our commitment to Christ. There is a line of separation drawn in the sand so to speak. You are either of this world and loved and accepted by it, or you belong to the kingdom of God, and bear its reproach (Hebrews 13:12-14).
If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.
John 15:19 NASB
See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
1 John 3:1 NASB
As Christians we have nothing in common with this world. We are called out to follow Christ, and the world cannot comprehend this. This world lies in the power of the evil one (1 John 5:19), and men love the darkness rather than the light, because their deeds are evil (John 3:19).
We have been delivered from this present evil age (Galatians 1:4), rescued from the domain of darkness, and placed into the kingdom of Christ (Col 1:13).
Therefore, what fellowship does righteousness have with lawlessness, or light with darkness, or Christ with Belial? What do we as believers in Christ have in common with unbelievers, or the temple of God, which we are, with idols (2 Cor 6:14-16).
Get the idea? As Christians we go against the grain, we are not following the selfish pursuits of this world. Following Christ runs in opposition to the ways of this world, and the world hates us for this.
Just as Cain killed Abel because his deeds were evil, and Abel's were not, the world will also hate those who live righteous lives in Christ Jesus (1 John 3:12-13). Everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to it because he does not want his evil deeds exposed (John 3:20).
This is how it is, and is an indicator of the validity of our commitment to Christ. There is a line of separation drawn in the sand so to speak. You are either of this world and loved and accepted by it, or you belong to the kingdom of God, and bear its reproach (Hebrews 13:12-14).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)