I know which end of an axe is which. I’m strong and I’m all day.”
–Mel Odom (Shooter’s Crossing)
“And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”
“And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”
–Romans 16:20(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)
We go on living our daily life knowing that God is not surprised by anything that goes on. It is nothing that is unsuspected, for the devil works to wreak havoc among the inhabitants of the earth. He is evil and since the world is under his power, why then are we surprised when evil happens? When people turn their backs on God, ignore His warnings and His word there is nothing to hold back evil. It will continue–error and evil is to be expected, therefore, prepare for action, take heed and do not stumble.
“But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, that they were saying to you, ‘In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.’ These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit.”
–Jude 17-19 (NASB)
I like the way the Amplified reads verse 19, “It is these who are [agitators] setting up distinctions and causing divisions–merely sensual [creatures, carnal, worldly-minded people], devoid of the [Holy] Spirit and destitute of any higher spiritual life.”
These people mock God and the things of God. Sin does not bother them. These people think they were advanced thinkers, more enlightened, thus the old standards were out-of-date. These are the woke people, pushing their own agenda, their own truth disregarding the word of the Lord. Since they are more enlightened they are the ones with the answers, therefore get out of the way you of an archaic standard.
For these individuals who purposely cause divisions, sin in God’s way of thinking does not exist. Those who “sin” are those who are against them and their agenda. Paul A. Cedar writes, “Wherever and whenever there is division in the Body you can be certain that the lust of the flesh is being expressed rather than the unity of the Spirit.” One of the purposes is to split the Body of Christ, tear it asunder. Remember, these people are postmodernists and their purpose is deconstructionism. They want to deconstruct life so they can construct it to their own advantage. The ordinary laws governing man’s conduct no longer exist for them.
These false teachers, these pseudo-Christians and leaders are despised by Jude. In fact, he says they do not have the Word of God in their lives. In spite of their claims they do not have the Holy Spirit and without the Spirit they cannot speak or teach the truth. These individuals are the ones John called “antichrists.” It is because of individuals like these that those in the world despise and mock true Christians.
However, because of their evil, we as believers, should endeavor to live out the Word of God. We should be walking examples, or as Paul puts it “living letters” and “Christ’s ambassadors” proclaiming by our words and our actions the truth of God’s holy Word. “The worse others are, the better we should endeavor and approve ourselves to be: the more busy Satan and his instruments are to pervert others in judgment or practice, the more tenacious should we be of sound doctrine and a good conversation.” (Matthew Henry) J. Stuart Holden states, “What looks like opposition, and indeed actually is opposition, is always an opportunity of serving the will of God uniquely.”
We should walk with our shoulders straight, alert, knowing the truth of God’s Word and expecting an attack from the enemy. The longer we stay in this evil world, that is until the return of Jesus Christ, evil will continue to rise and threaten. But we, we are children of God. We have His armor and His Word along with the shield of faith. Holden writes, “Opposition? But that is what I am for! That is what Christ saved me for! Conflict? But that is what I enlisted for! The fact that there is likely to be trouble is the hallmark of the open door! It assures me as to Whom has opened it! Of course I will take care, God helping me. But what am I to take care of? Of myself or my entrustment?”
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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)
We go on living our daily life knowing that God is not surprised by anything that goes on. It is nothing that is unsuspected, for the devil works to wreak havoc among the inhabitants of the earth. He is evil and since the world is under his power, why then are we surprised when evil happens? When people turn their backs on God, ignore His warnings and His word there is nothing to hold back evil. It will continue–error and evil is to be expected, therefore, prepare for action, take heed and do not stumble.
“But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, that they were saying to you, ‘In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.’ These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit.”
–Jude 17-19 (NASB)
I like the way the Amplified reads verse 19, “It is these who are [agitators] setting up distinctions and causing divisions–merely sensual [creatures, carnal, worldly-minded people], devoid of the [Holy] Spirit and destitute of any higher spiritual life.”
These people mock God and the things of God. Sin does not bother them. These people think they were advanced thinkers, more enlightened, thus the old standards were out-of-date. These are the woke people, pushing their own agenda, their own truth disregarding the word of the Lord. Since they are more enlightened they are the ones with the answers, therefore get out of the way you of an archaic standard.
For these individuals who purposely cause divisions, sin in God’s way of thinking does not exist. Those who “sin” are those who are against them and their agenda. Paul A. Cedar writes, “Wherever and whenever there is division in the Body you can be certain that the lust of the flesh is being expressed rather than the unity of the Spirit.” One of the purposes is to split the Body of Christ, tear it asunder. Remember, these people are postmodernists and their purpose is deconstructionism. They want to deconstruct life so they can construct it to their own advantage. The ordinary laws governing man’s conduct no longer exist for them.
These false teachers, these pseudo-Christians and leaders are despised by Jude. In fact, he says they do not have the Word of God in their lives. In spite of their claims they do not have the Holy Spirit and without the Spirit they cannot speak or teach the truth. These individuals are the ones John called “antichrists.” It is because of individuals like these that those in the world despise and mock true Christians.
However, because of their evil, we as believers, should endeavor to live out the Word of God. We should be walking examples, or as Paul puts it “living letters” and “Christ’s ambassadors” proclaiming by our words and our actions the truth of God’s holy Word. “The worse others are, the better we should endeavor and approve ourselves to be: the more busy Satan and his instruments are to pervert others in judgment or practice, the more tenacious should we be of sound doctrine and a good conversation.” (Matthew Henry) J. Stuart Holden states, “What looks like opposition, and indeed actually is opposition, is always an opportunity of serving the will of God uniquely.”
We should walk with our shoulders straight, alert, knowing the truth of God’s Word and expecting an attack from the enemy. The longer we stay in this evil world, that is until the return of Jesus Christ, evil will continue to rise and threaten. But we, we are children of God. We have His armor and His Word along with the shield of faith. Holden writes, “Opposition? But that is what I am for! That is what Christ saved me for! Conflict? But that is what I enlisted for! The fact that there is likely to be trouble is the hallmark of the open door! It assures me as to Whom has opened it! Of course I will take care, God helping me. But what am I to take care of? Of myself or my entrustment?”