We had never taken a trust lightly. It was a matter of deep honor, and a debt owed was a debt to be paid.”
–Louis L’Amour (Galloway)
“For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.”
–1 Timothy 4:10 (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 that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” –1 John 5:19 (NASB)
Do you seem to be going against the flow? Everyone and/or everything seems to be hitting you square in the face. Don’t be surprised! I recently read the following by C.S. Lewis, “When the whole world is running toward the cliff, he who is running in the opposite direction appears to have lost his mind.” The world is in darkness–remember you are of the light and wherever you go you bring light to those in darkness, and I might also say, their deeds.
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
–1 Peter 2:9 (NASB)
When so many around us seem to have lost their way, when those in the church seem to be faltering and slipping, remember you have been called from “darkness into His marvelous light.” Remember, Cain’s deeds were evil and Abel’s were righteous and that was why Cain murdered his brother.
We are now children of the light. Once we were interested in the affairs of this world, now we are interested in the Kingdom of God. Now we are people who seek holiness and our supreme ambition is to live life for Christ. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones wrote, “Life and nature simply cannot be hidden. What we are, we are bound to express.” We now express life and righteousness.
For a minute, let’s look at Cain and Abel. Cain wanted praise. Abel received praise and the result was that Cain became angry. That anger resulted in murder. That illustration in itself tells us why there is war, why there are riots, why there is turmoil and terror. Cain was self-centered. Read again the following,
“For this is the message which you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another; not as Cain, who was of the evil one and slew his brother. And for what reasons did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous.”
–1 John 3:11 (NASB)
It is important to note that the world does not hate good people–only Christian people. There was nothing hateful about Abel, yet Cain hated him. The world hates Christians because they bring the light to the darkness. The world hates because it feels condemned. John writes, “Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you.” (1 John 3:13, NASB)
Therefore, make sure you are not just good, but that you are Christian! Christians rejoice in the work of God in themselves. Christians rejoice in the work of God in others. I recall the words from Shakespeare’s “Henry V” — “Oh we few, we happy few–we Band of Brothers.”
———————————————
How to Live in a Pagan, Apostate, and Foolish World
Key Verse: “We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” –1 John 5:19 (NASB)
Do you seem to be going against the flow? Everyone and/or everything seems to be hitting you square in the face. Don’t be surprised! I recently read the following by C.S. Lewis, “When the whole world is running toward the cliff, he who is running in the opposite direction appears to have lost his mind.” The world is in darkness–remember you are of the light and wherever you go you bring light to those in darkness, and I might also say, their deeds.
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”
–1 Peter 2:9 (NASB)
When so many around us seem to have lost their way, when those in the church seem to be faltering and slipping, remember you have been called from “darkness into His marvelous light.” Remember, Cain’s deeds were evil and Abel’s were righteous and that was why Cain murdered his brother.
We are now children of the light. Once we were interested in the affairs of this world, now we are interested in the Kingdom of God. Now we are people who seek holiness and our supreme ambition is to live life for Christ. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones wrote, “Life and nature simply cannot be hidden. What we are, we are bound to express.” We now express life and righteousness.
For a minute, let’s look at Cain and Abel. Cain wanted praise. Abel received praise and the result was that Cain became angry. That anger resulted in murder. That illustration in itself tells us why there is war, why there are riots, why there is turmoil and terror. Cain was self-centered. Read again the following,
“For this is the message which you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another; not as Cain, who was of the evil one and slew his brother. And for what reasons did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous.”
–1 John 3:11 (NASB)
It is important to note that the world does not hate good people–only Christian people. There was nothing hateful about Abel, yet Cain hated him. The world hates Christians because they bring the light to the darkness. The world hates because it feels condemned. John writes, “Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you.” (1 John 3:13, NASB)
Therefore, make sure you are not just good, but that you are Christian! Christians rejoice in the work of God in themselves. Christians rejoice in the work of God in others. I recall the words from Shakespeare’s “Henry V” — “Oh we few, we happy few–we Band of Brothers.”