A man is able to struggle with his heart and mind only about so long, then there comes a time when all logic collapses and he falls back upon the instincts which are strongest in him.”
–Ernest Haycox (Wipe Out the Brierlys)
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world.”
–John 16:33 (NASB)
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“We do not live enchanted lives; we are all here in the flux of history, and the great question is, what are we to do; what is the difference between us; how are we to adjust ourselves; what is to be our attitude towards current events and affairs; what is our duty with respect to life in this world, and how are we to conduct and comport ourselves?”
–D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
In this crazy and foolish world how are we to conduct ourselves as Christians? The trumpet has yet to sound and Jesus said that we must occupy until He comes. The Key: God’s Word. We are to live by God’s Word. We are to be according to what the Word of God says.
“Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.” –Psalm 119:11 (NKJV)
“I have treasured Your word in my heart, So that I may not sin against You.” –Psalm 119:11 (NASB)
We must have God’s Word in our heart so that we can obey in these evil times. I fear that far too many Christians do not “treasure” God’s Word, that it is just something to carry around, or set on the table, or once in while read a favorite verse. We must have the whole counsel of God so that we do not sin.
There can be no excuse saying that it’s just too hard to live in a pagan world. There are too many temptations, too many pressures and stresses. That is no excuse, we are to live and obey, or as the great hymn says, “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.” (John H. Sammis) Let me go ahead and share the first verse of that grand song:
“When we walk with the Lord in the light of His word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.”
I want to take you to the pagan empire of the Chaldeans and the city of Babylon. Judah had been conquered by the Chaldeans and Daniel, along with several other young people had been in the process of preparing themselves to be leaders, and teachers in Judah, but now were sent as captives, slaves, to live in a new culture. Daniel “purposed, determined, resolved, set his mind” that he would not defile himself. (Daniel 1:8) Now this was in regard to the king’s table, but it went much deeper than that as we will find in the rest of Daniel. In a pagan, apostate, and foolish world we must “purpose, determine, resolve, and set our mind” that we will not defile ourselves.
It is our duty to live as a testimony in this type of culture. We are to be salt and light in the midst of evil and darkness. We are here, in this time and place, to live according to the Gospel. We are to let our lights shine, we are to be “living letters” and “Christ’s ambassadors” to a sin-sick world.
“And as for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and intelligence in every kind of literature and expertise; Daniel even understood all kinds of visions and dreams.”
–Daniel 1:17 (NASB)
Notice, they did not defile themselves, however they did continue to learn. It is important to realize and understand that a person can discern truth and not turn to falsehoods even when it seems that all around are lies (fake news) a “woke” society. In the midst of the falsehoods we are to continue to prepare ourselves. One never knows when God may tap them on the shoulder for some special duty so we must be prepared. Daniel continued to word and serve God in this pagan society.
I might add that by doing so we leave a testimony. Look at what happened to Nebuchadnezzar during the time of Daniel and the others.
“Your God truly is a God of gods and a Lord of kings…” –Daniel 2:47
“there is no other god who is able to save in this way” –Daniel 3:29
“the Most High God has done for me.” –Daniel 4:2
“Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just; and He is able to humble those who walk in pride.” –Daniel 4:37 (NASB)
Did Nebuchadnezzar become a believer? Only eternity will reveal that to us, however, he definitely made strides in his knowledge of God thanks to the testimony of those who lived according to God’s Word in this pagan culture.
Month: March 2021
The Saga of Miles Forrest
You don’t look any worse for the wear, Langston,” I said when he finally came up to us. “You know Mateo, he’s now deputy sheriff.”
He grunted a laugh, “Yeah, and a how-do-you-do to you too, Forrest.” He nodded at Mateo, “Coming up in the world. What happened to the deputy marshal job?”
Langston didn’t offer his hand to either of us, but we took it in stride. His kind wasn’t a hand-shaking sort as he wanted to protect his fingers.
“The new marshal and I didn’t get along,” came Mateo’s response causing Langston to raise an eyebrow.
“Who is this new marshal?” he inquired. “Forrest, why don’t you buy us supper and I’ll listen to your story,” suggested Langston opening the door to the restaurant.
I nodded my head at Mateo and went inside though we were a little early for the Parson. “We were waiting for Parson Chapman, but it won’t hurt to start with some coffee.”
We moseyed over to a table and after the waitress brought each of us coffee, Langston spoke, “The preacher-man will be along. Though I have my thoughts about him as I saw him go into the Empty Diggings Saloon,” he paused. “He’s not one of those who tear into saloons preaching from atop the bar?”
I laughed, even Mateo smiled, “Nah, he’s tryin’ to get Frank Black, the owner straightened out. He met him on a trip a few weeks back,” I informed him.
“Saw you’re limping, how’s the leg, Deputy?” asked Langston with anger flashing through his eyes.
“I’m making it, thank you for your concern. I can at least walk without crutches now,” replied Mateo. Mateo had been shot along with Conrad Keim who worked for Langston’s employer, Cecil Thompson.
The waitress made her way back and gave each of us a refill. I saw the anger on Langston’s face. “Conrad is doin’ fine. He’s up and ridin’, but not wranglin’ any broncs yet. I take it you didn’t find Shaw?”
Kyle Langston looked over the rim of his cup then after taking a deep swallow he answered. “Forrest, he’s here, at least in the vicinity. I thought that Doc Webb might tell me, but it was hard to find him sober,” he uttered, then finished his coffee. “That’s right, you were here when the doctor killed himself.” He wiped his unshaved face, “Of course you do know it wasn’t suicide.”
I waved at the waitress to bring another refill, then continued the conversation regarding Doc Webb. “I couldn’t stay around to investigate. I thought that Marshal Stokes would do a thorough investigation.”
Langston nodded and smiled at the waitress as she filled his cup. “I thought you knew,” he muttered.
“Knew what?”
“Week or so after Webb’s suicide, some gunny shot the marshal from an alleyway. Dewey is now marshal, and” he stopped to take a swallow, “he’s not worth much. He’ll let the town run wild, or if he’ll run from trouble. If he would happen to face it, well, let me say, he doesn’t have the gumption.”
I glanced over at Mateo. “Looks like either you or Charlie will be spending some time up here.
Langston finished his cup. I think he drinks more coffee than me. “Now, tell me about the new marshal in Durango,” he ordered.
“Name’s Mike Queens, the…”
“Queens!” exclaimed Langston. “Why would they choose a hardcase like him? He’s handy with a gun,” he said, then wiped his mouth.
“You know him?” asked Mateo.
“Saw him shoot down a couple of miners in Leadville once. Nice and legal it was; ha, those jaspers didn’t stand a chance. Heard he had some trouble in Denver until Masterson ran him out of his place, sorta shamed him and he lit out of Denver sudden like.”
That reminded me that as soon as I returned to Durango to check at the telegraph office. In fact, I had a thought to send the same messages out of the office here just in case Offut was playing games with me.
While I was thinking of those telegrams, Rev. Chapman came in the door. “Gentlemen,” he said nodding at us, “I hope you don’t mind me bringing along a guest…”
Echoes From the Campfire
The world is a brutal thing. Full of scoundrels and made up of torment. There is a curse upon it, made by men. The race of man is small. We’re nothing better than ticks scattered in the sage. Maybe we started clean but now we’re livin’ in filth made by ourselves and we breed upon our own ignorance and vice, the smell which rises to heaven.”
–Ernest Haycox (The Wild Bunch)
“I will pour out My indignation on you; I will blow on you with the fire of My wrath, and I will hand you over to brutal men, craftsmen of destruction.”
–Ezekiel 21:31 (NASB)
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Several years ago I developed a study/course which I titled, “How to Live in a Pagan and Apostate World.” I’ve decided to review and upgrade it some and along the way in doing so I will be sharing with you. I have not forgotten the Psalms, but in my current state I do not have my study books with me.
The first thing I am going to do is change the title: “How to Live in a Pagan, Apostate, and Foolish World.” The New Testament world was the world in which the Church was born. It was a pagan world from Augustus and the birth of Christ through several evil and immoral emperors: Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Vespasian, Titus, and Domitian. The New Testament was written under the rule of these individuals and then carried on into the next century by the early church fathers. Eventually the Church grew and prospered (often to its detriment) and soon one-third of the Roman Empire would be Christian.
One of the main purposes of this study is to recognize that the Church, the true Church, the body of believers, will survive in any type of culture. Another purpose is to heed the warning of Solomon:
“Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.”
–Proverbs 4:23(NASB)
Holman translates it this way:
“Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life.”
Our heart, our soul must be guarded and protected at all cost. Our life depends upon it, not only here on earth but for eternity. In this evil world we must be diligent in protecting ourselves and our loved ones. The world and its evil leader is out to destroy anyone who is a Christian, and to wreck havoc upon the Church of God.
The New Testament was written in the pagan atmosphere of Rome. The Church grew despite this influence and persecution. It would be a few years before apostasy started to affect the church. Look at a few simple terms and their meanings.
pagan–professing no religion, a heathen,
heathen–one who adheres to a religion that does not acknowledge the God of Judaism or Christianity; one who is regarded as irreligious, uncivilized, or unenlightened,
apostasy–“defection, departure, revolt, rebellion” from previously held religious beliefs. It is defined as “a willful falling away,” but at times it can be a subtle accepting of false teaching,
fool–someone who lacks judgment or good sense, one who makes silly, stupid mistakes. He does his own thing without thinking of the consequences.
Our Christian foundation is bombarded today by multiculturalism, cancel culture which includes woke, pluralism, globalism, and postmodernism just to name a few. Truth has become subjective and relative.
I am adding “Foolish” because that is exactly what is happening. One cannot escape the foolishness in society if the news is watched for any length of time.
“Claiming to be wise, they became fools.” — Romans 1:22 (NASB)
“Claiming to be wise, they became fools [professing to be smart, they made simpletons of themselves].” –Romans 1:22(AMPLIFIED)
“Behind a facade of ‘wisdom’ they became just fools.” — Romans 1:22 (Phillips)
Look at the news and it will be clear to see that the world is clearly pagan, apostate, and foolish. Only a fool could say that a person can choose their gender and that goes along with their belief in relative truth.
I urge you not to be swayed by the trends around you. Guard the truth! Hold it dear to your heart! Three lessons to remember: do not be compromising, curious, or complacent as you live in this world.