Be in the World, not of It

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PaulWiglaf Sep 29, 2005

I have a question that arises from an article on dealing with secular, main-stream movies: How should we deal with them, either abstain (1 Thess. 5:22) or dissect?Here's the site: http://www.summit.org/resource/tc/archive/1104/Personally, I don't like the feeling of having to watch someone fornicate as an indicator that the main (climatic) action is about to come; that's plain pornography misnamed. However, I know we need to be able to decontruct our enemies weapons (such as Paul's quoting their poets to counter their beliefs). So, I'm just asking for insight here on how to be a grain of salt for our ever blessed Lord and better fight in this war (2 Cor. 10:3-6). Thanks.Your brother in Christ,Benjamin

sermonindex Sep 29, 2005

Concerning the world and the things of the world... God says we're to come out from them and be seperate ... to not take part in their ways ... and not even to enquire about their practices and not even to discuss what they do in secret.We're a holy priesthood, set apart and I can't see where in God's Word, that we are to have anything to do with what they are doing.There are tons of Scripture verses on our needing to be seperate and kept Holy and where our thoughts should be and how we should use our time, mind, money, etc. etc..I think we need to really hunker down with the Lord and learn His Voice and His Word, cuz there may not be a whole lotta time left to fool around.Just my opinion.God Bless ya brother Benjamin.Annie

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PaulWiglaf Oct 4, 2005

Annie: Thank you. Oddly enough, it is in the area of the much criticized Christian fiction that I'm getting some insight of this. Not that it is not accompanied by scripture, mind you. I just feel that our world is on the verge of two overlapping fires: revival and judgment.Proof? As I look into the my peers (teenagers) eyes, I see a want, a desire, for something real. I also have to look no farther than myself to see the like cry of Elisha, "Where is the LORD (Yahweh) God of Elijah?" (2 Kings 2:14 [cf. 1-13]) or, if I may rephrase it, "Where is the God of wonders, who demonstrated His majesty through Elijah?" (For, it seems like he is asking for comformation that God indeed would honor Him with a double portion of His Spirit). There is an intense desire in this generation for something, or someone, to consume their lives with purpose and power. We wander down life's road in the barren waste of the world looking for gold in a ground full of despair; it is time that my generation becomes renewed in the cleansing flow that Christ gave on Calvary. May His Spirit anoint us to fulfill such a calling as Christ gives us (Matt.28:19,20).Also, the danger of judgment becomes more evident. The Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) has reported that Russia-China-South East Asia are becoming more solidified, and therefore more determined to destroy Christianity. It is there that the two areas overlap. God's wrath and sorrow mount as He views the wretched and vile workings of the torturers, yet His love and mercy abound as His people stand resilient and loving in the face of trials. Let us join them in the midst of God's "cloud of witnesses" and fight a fight of holy faith and pure devotion. (Heb. 12:1,2) God bless and guide all of you in your pilgrimage through this land.In the Lamb's Fold,Benjamin

sermonindex Oct 4, 2005

Hi Benjamin,Your post is very touching indeed.Now when you say "your peers", do you mean fellow Christian teens or teens in general ?Of course, the advice would differ, depending on which group you were talking about in your post.The power from on high, is found from 'seperation from the world', and it is only limited to our consecration, humility and faith.Jesus was "others" minded at all times, and even Solomon, when he was given the opportunity to have whatever he wanted from God, chose 'wisdom' so he could better "help the people".So in seperation unto God, that same spirit, that blessed Elijah and Elisha, dwells in you ... the same spirit that operated through Jesus, dwells in you ... and as He was in the world, now you are. See ?'We' limit how much of Jesus comes through from us, because 'He' has put NO limits on Himself working 'through' us.It's only that 'coming out from amongst them' and being seperate unto Him, consecrating ourselves to HIM fully, for Holy use, in all humility and seeking the benefit of Others only, as He did ... then whatever He did, we will do, by Him. Joh 14:12At least that's what He said :-) . And He is always true to His Word. I've seen it happen to a youth group.About your second part, Yes, perilous times are coming. I copied a few AP articles in July, that state that China and Russia are both looking down their barrels at "US".And not too many years back, they made a "pact" against us ... but, we're a step ahead of them all, because we have God's Word, His sure Word of Prophecy, and we've read the end of the Book, and HE WINS.We can only work, while it is yet day, and don't wait for something, that He already died to give us ... His Spirit, His Power and His Gifts.Just need to be 'others' minded like Him. :-)All HIS Best to you Benjamin. Praying with you.

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PaulWiglaf Oct 19, 2005

Thank you, Grannie Annie, for your response. It is both a blessing and insightful. I also apologize for this being so belated as it is.Firstly, all I can really say is that I ask for your continued prayers that the Lord "create in me a clean heart" that I might be humble and have love more fully towards others. More importantly, that my generation take a dive straight into the heart of God: we cannot even hope to live in this age if we don't.May the Lord work in us completely, having "the faith once delivered unto the saints of old". God be with all of you, and thanks to your for your prayers and wisdom, Annie.In the Lamb,BenjaminPS: I referred to teens on a whole, since they are all looking for "Something" (that we know to be Someone, the Lamb, the King--Christ)

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deltadom Oct 19, 2005

I am tired I need Jesus that is why I want to be so near jesus!!

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lamuskrat Oct 19, 2005

Amen to that!!!!!!.....Preach on GrannieI love to eat pie but I dont get it out of a garbage can......We as Christians ask about things like dancing, movies, drinking (yeah christians (so called)that drink), smoking, christian rock, and a whole bunch of other sordid/questionable things. Ask God, and let the Holy Spirit lead you into all truth. My daughter says it's OK to dance. I asked her how she came to this conclusion....Response: They dance at my church (not verbatum),I responded: that don't make it right, your church is wrongI asked her if she prayed about it and she kinda wiggled out of having to answer. I told her she don't pray about it, because she already knows its wrong and afraid of what His answer would be.POINT: Holy, Holy, Holy....we serve a thrice Holy God, we endure and wink at sin, but can't find time to pray and study the word. To busy to worship the Lamb. Note to readers: I do not attend the church that my kids and wife do....Doctrianal/theology differences, and it has become a social club. Sorry for ranting

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dohzman Oct 20, 2005

I guess I understand the whole concept of "the World" differently than just a list of do's and don't. While there are activities we will avoid because our participation in or with those activities doesn't glorify Christ in my/our life/lives , in a major degree the heart condition and conscience is very important here. For example Jesus' stated , "Rember Lot's Wife" , he was referencing the condition of the world in the end times, she did everything right but did not allow her heart to depart from Sodom and because of that she was judged. Today we have christians who may not actually do certain things but those things are in thier hearts.Also Proverbs says 26:4 not to answer a fool according to his folly .... basically --don't do what the fool does to show him he was wrong in doing it. It would be like taking a baby that is going through that biteing stage and trying to teach it not to bite by actuially biteing it back.Not to wise.

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PaulWiglaf Oct 23, 2005

Lamuskrat: I agree with you on a majority of things (not seeking pie in the can), but I must challenge your comment on dancing. For, two reasons:1) We know that dancing is found throughout the Old Testament (Ex. 15:20; 1 Sam. 21:11; 29:5; 2 Sam. 6:14; Psalm 149:3; 150:4; Eccl. 3:4; Jer. 31:4, 13), most directly referrencing to praising God (esp. Psalm 149 and 150). So, we can see that God doesn't scorn the dance of joy that springs forth from a merry heart ("A merry heart works as medicince"), for He Himself is full of joy. Therefore, let us not "raise up the traditions of men as the commandments of God", knowing that if our children's skipping and playing in delight pleases us, how much more does the praise of His people enlighten our King's heart?2) David, whom is said to "be after God's own heart", danced with all his might before the Lord's ark (2 Sam. 6:14-23), even having his own wife despise him (not unlike your distaste for your child's dancing).However, I do not think this gives liberty to ungodly, sensual dancing (such as belly dancing and "dirty" dancing), flying in the face of the whole of God's Word. I've seen some very reserved people begin dancing fervently in adoration of the Lord. May God be given the glory.Blessings,BenjaminDeltadom: Keep seeking Him; His yoke does bring both rest and peace (Praise God!)

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lamuskrat Oct 23, 2005

The latter dancing is what was intended for my disgust. The dancing in the spirit or dancing for joy before the Lord, I believe is acceptable, but choreographed, human learned and human wrought, and to please other than the Lord is where I deem it necessary to draw the line. Then it is of the flesh and not of/for God. :-)