It doesn’t pay to get involved with the devil’s play.”
–D.C. Adkisson (Mal de Ojo)
“Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them.”
–Ephesians 5:6-7 (NKJV)
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How to Live in a Pagan, Apostate, and Foolish World
Key Verse: “We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.” –1 John 5:19 (NKJV)
This is a confused world. This is a world living in fear. This is a world that mocks God and His moral values. I heard recently that there is a trend for people to stand up in a congregation to challenge the minister’s message. The idea is to challenge the deity of Christ. Some things never change for this has been going on since the Book of Acts. Therefore, it is vital that WE KNOW!
“We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.”
–1 John 5:18 (NKJV)
“We Know” that we are born of God and do not sin. Whoa–not sin? Warning: do not take Scripture out of context to make a doctrine upon it. Christians do sin, that is why we can go to Christ and He will forgive us of our sins (1 John 1:9). However, the believer does not continue in the state of sin; he does not continue to practice it. John is interested in the condition of man, not the particular action of man.
“They [unbelievers] are in the dominion of Satan. Their whole life is a life of sin; they dwell in it, it is their realm, and they inhabit it. But those who are born of God are no longer in that state; they have been taken out of it.”
–D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
The unbeliever abides in the world; he abides in sin. He is in need of a Savior. The Christian abides in Christ.
“We Know” that we are born of God. He watches over us. We are part of His family. Paul gives us comfort when he writes,
“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
–1 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV)
Paul also tells us that we (believers) were once in a sinful state–we were once His enemies. However, through Christ we are now reconciled to God.
“We Know” that He keeps us. Satan cannot take us out of His hand. Satan does not cling to us like a bad vine of poison ivy. Satan cannot rob God of His possession, therefore, do not fear. God is more than able to keep you from the clutches of the devil. John writes, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” (Revelation 12:11, NKJV)
So in the midst of this confused and chaotic world the believer, you and I, have clarity. We know clearly that God is in control and takes care of His own. When many are living in fear, worried about life, we know that we can trust in God. He will never leave or forsake us. We know that He lives and that there is a day of judgment coming for those who mock Him. Stay firm, hold fast to the word of life. I recall the chorus of that old hymn:
“Only trust Him, only trust Him,
Only trust Him now;
He will save you, He will save you,
He will save you now.”
–J.H. Stockton