V THE TRUE CHRISTIAN IN TODAY'S WORLD

Article aS 1989

This article somewhat is a concise combination of some of the above writings, and is of extra importance.

M May this article be beneficial in helping God's children find their place in a cursed of God, corrupted of man, and awaiting to melted with fervent heat world, where apart from God has especially called his chosen during this second era of time. While God has throughout all times given all men the opportunity and responsibility to serve and obey Him, it appears that during the era of time before Christ, God ordained that such as chose to serve Him would be the rulers and wealthier of the earth. It is very sad that by far the greater of mankind because of his corrupted nature, Satan's temptings, and his own personal choice rejected God. Thus even in this first era of time, many times the wicked reigned and often such as rightly served God were persecuted. Yet throughout the first era of time many times God's chosen ruled and were very rich. But in general man totally failed in his God given opportunity and responsibility toward his Creator and the world. aS-1

M Now in the second era of time God has a totally different approach for those who choose to serve Him, they now are not ordained to rule or be rich in this world, but rather are called to be separated from and uninvolved with it, to such a degree that as God's chosen follow their true calling they will be of the poorer of the world and the more ignorant about it. (James 2:5, Luke 16:8). God's chosen are now called to be workers in His vineyard, in that of seeking, before all else, the welfare of God's eternal Kingdom in it's safety and furtherance. aS-2

M Apostle James when speaking about material things within this second era of time, said ". Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith..." (James 2:5). In special regard to the second era of time, Jesus taught the following scriptures. "...for the children of this world are in their generation (materially) wiser than the children of light" (Luke 16:8). "If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you" (John 15:19). "He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal" (John 12:25). "Blessed are ye, that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye in that day and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. But woe unto that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall morn and weep. Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets" (Luke 6:21-26). aS-3

M Once Peter told Jesus that they had left all to follow Him, and then asked what shall we have therefore. Jesus then said, those that have forsaken all for Him will be greatly rewarded in this life, yet such with persecutions, and receive eternal life (Mark 10:29-30). There is peace for the Christian, yet Jesus said this peace is "... not as the world giveth..." for such has an earthly anchor, while the peace given by Christ has a heavenly anchor. It is true that the Christian will have joy, though there will be times of heaviness through manifold temptations (1 Peter 1:6). This joy is based in the treasure of one's salvation, in that of realizing the destruction one is escaping and the reward being anticipated. One's salvation is like a treasure hid in a field which when a man has found for joy thereof goes and sells all that he has and buys the field (Matt 13:44). This joy will have a Godly fear therewith, the Psalmist says it like this, "Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling" (Psa 2:11). Clearly when the Christian sees the world as it is in general heading for unspeakable destruction in an eternal fire, and sees our proness to love the present world, and not properly fulfill our calling to a hell bound world, and thus fail of the grace of God and also be lost, it will cause a real Godly fear and trembling. Yet such fear and trembling is clearly how it was back in the times of the early church. Many are the scriptures that speak of tears, fear and trembling in the Old Testament as well as in the New Testament. "Fear ye not me? saith the Lord: will ye not tremble at my presence..." (Jer 5:22). "Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself: and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread" (Isaiah 8:13). Paul said the following words, "Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears..." (Acts 20:19). "Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears" (Acts 20:31). "And I was with you in weakness and in fear, and in much trembling" (1 Cor 2:3). "For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears..." (2 Cor 2:4). aS-4

M The Bible has many instructions concerning how the fear of God is to motivate us. It is impossible to be saved without a working Godly fear, for it is caused by the power of saving faith, which faith man cannot be saved without. Our speech is to be coupled with fear. We are to pass our sojourn on earth therein. We are to work out our salvation in fear and trembling. We are to give an answer to every man that asketh of the hope that lieth within us in meekness and fear. Faith and the fear of God makes one serious and grave. The Bible give no room for foolish talking or light mindedness but rather it often teaches sobriety and graveness, and especially so in the New Testament. Clearly God's people are not at home in this world, but are pilgrims and strangers therein as is different times and clearly taught in the Bible. The true faith and fear of God has "...tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the worlds to come" (Heb G:4), by which taste one has a living awareness and fear of the eternal contrasts. Thus this faith and fear will draw one away in sobriety from earthly goals and treasures to heavenly goals, labors and meditations. aS-5

M The Bible and many writings of God's people in times past, which writings are professed to be accepted of by many churches, clearly tell how this faith will draw those who possess it away from all earthly things to heavenly treasures. Such writings of our forfathers tell how such motivations are the most vital sign of God's true church. Saving faith causes one to become earthly ignorant and heavenly wise. Paul wrote the following verse and therein teaches the same message as Jesus did when He taught that God's children would not be wise concerning worldly things, "Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God..." (1 Cor 3:18-19). Jesus said, "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water" (John 7:38). This believing and faith will affect one's speech, ".. for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" (Matt 12:34). Malachi said, "Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another..." (Mal-.3:17). If speaking to one another of heavenly things is done only on a formal or traditional level, such is not caused by the fear of God. Paul speaking of some who had fallen from salvation said, "(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is their shame, who mind earthly things.) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Phil 3:18-20). Should not all pride be classified as glorying in one's shame, for we in God's sight, and in truth, are unclean and when we glory in ourselves, are we not glorying in our shame? If we never hunger or fast for Christ's sake could our belly be our God? May we consider in sobriety where are innermost goals and speech lie and see if we are minding earthly things. Peter concerning our speech said, "Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat" (2 Pet 3:11-12)? Paul said, "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal" (2 Cor 4:17-18). King David asked God to make him to know his end and the measure and number of his days so he could apply his heart to wisdom, and so he could know how frail he is. If considerations of the brevity of one's life time, as compared to the time included from the creation till the end of the world, and the vastness of the time and contrasts included in eternity, does not deeply move of impress one's innermost being, is one thinking soberly or does one have a genuine faith? If one thinks little about the above and his proneness to stray from salvation does he have faith? aS-6

M Apostle John said, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world (John 2:15-16). Man likes to satisfy his tastes, yet such can be the lust of the flesh. Man likes to behold beautiful things, yet such can be the lust of the eyes. Man likes to think highly of himself and to be appreciated and liked, yet such can be the pride of life. When any of the above draw us away from our love and honor for God and obedience to that still small voice, then we love the world, the love of God is not in us, we grieve away the Spirit, thus lose our salvation, and sad it is often it is not known. Our desire to be liked can hinder our faith, Jesus asked, "How can ye believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that cometh from God only" (John 5:44)? aS-7

M Following God's word in Spirit and truth will draw one away from his earth life in such a way that if our hope of heaven were vain, we as apostle Paul said, would be "of all men most miserable" for we would have dreamed away and missed our real life. Paul then makes it clear that our hope is not vain! It is clear that God's people cannot draw individuals to become a part of God's church by portraying an earthly life that appeals to man's natural inclinations. In the church at Pentecost and the Martyr times it was the witness left by those who had tasted of the powers of the worlds to come, and through their portraying of this assured faith that onlookers from a lost world were moved to believe, and deny themselves in this present life to receive their reward in the world to come. Oh how churches in general are loving this present world, the blind are leading the blind, and thus they yet promise their people eternal life, and oh how slyly this principle endeavors to creep into the true people of God. James says those that are a friend to this world are an enemy of God, and it appears he calls such adulterers and adulteresses (James 4:4). aS-8

M How can it be that the (greater part of the whole world, throughout all ages has fallen prey to the deceivings of the devil, and their eternal damnation with him yet awaits? How can it be that concerning things of such importance as the eternal contrasts of heaven and hell, that of such Jesus said few it would be that would find eternal life? And how can it be that mankind in general takes all such so lightly, and do not diligently search the scriptures and examine themselves to see whether they be in the faith? Yes that still small voice which man in his earth life can so easily reject, will reject such as rejected His voice on earth, from eternal bliss and place a sentence of eternal punishment in hell on them. And what is so sad and fearful is many are rejecting this still small voice with the support of their friends, their church, and as it seems the whole world, for they too are deceived and can do nothing else but deceive. The simple word of God is the only true guard against deception. All scriptures must be received and accepted, and neither dare anything be added to them (Rev 22:17-18). All religions or teachings that add to, or subtract from, God's word are not anchored in the simplicity of God's word and are false, no matter how many hold to such false beliefs. How can it be that the whole world in general takes the word of God so lightly? In general, concerning all people world around, the feeling is that if Biblical scriptures do not fit what is being accepted and experienced, they do not mean exactly what they say. This feeling so slyly even endeavors to find it's way into the true church of God. Yet such is absolute deception, and it's end is in hell! What God's Word says is what it means. aS-9

M Paul in 2 Timothy 3 gives a fearful picture of the last days. He tells their will be those who have a form of godliness but will deny the power thereof, and that their will be those ever learning yet not able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Oh how far spread is the Gospel story today, truly in these last days, as prophecy has foretold, knowledge is being increased and so also it is with Bible knowledge. Yet it is very sad and alarming how few have received or possess the Holy spirit inspired faith which carries the power thereof. Oh may it be revived among God's people today! It is true the word of God has saving power no matter who preaches it, yet when preached by God's chosen it is to have a special convicting power. God's word can yet be spread with the fervency, power, conviction and results as in the apostles time. The affect of a clear and living faith is ever the same, and the power of the Gospel need never diminish. May God's people because of love for the souls of men covet earnestly the saving power of the best gifts (2 Cor 12:31). Paul here in 2 Timothy 3 speaks of the persecutions that he endured and how God delivered him therefrom, and then said, "Yea, and all that shall live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Tim 3:12). Yet today's Christianity has largely in deception accepted a way without this persecution. The greater aim of Satan and all his hosts is against the church of God, and with great deception they are offering a faith without power, persecution, and salvation to God's chosen. Satan also employs those whom he has deceived in deceiving others, and thus Paul writes, `But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived" (2 Tim 3:13). Likely one of the greater deceptions of our day is that of counting a mental understanding of truth and Christian doctrines, especially that of Christ's redemption, as saving faith. If our faith does not motivate Godly conversation, fear, sobriety, vehement desire, and take away the glamour of this present world may we be assured deception, if it has not already killed and given a false hope to it's prey, it is much closer than one would like to admit! The faith that saves, gives power and motivates, and is a gift from God which He gives to those who in truth hear and obey His word, which Word He speaks through the Bible and the Holy spirit. Many churches and people profess many proper doctrines, yet their fruits reveal a lack of faith in them. May no one settle for, or be satisfied and feel all is well with a standard of faith and spirituality that does not align or correspond with that standard portrayed in God's word and the writings of our forefathers. aS-10

M It is sad that man can love himself, the world, and the things therein, and yet his deceitful heart and Satan tell him you yet have God first! How the flesh resists the cross of Christ and often accepts a path without this cross and vainly expects an eternal reward! Oh how the arms, shadows, and powers of deception are encompassing our present world and hell's gate has enlarged her mouth and is moving! May not a formal separation from the world be accepted as the separation therefrom which God has ordained for His people. How deceitful today's world is, man's heart is, while also the devil is adding his deceivings therewith, therefore may all be sober, watch, pray, and be anchored in God's word. Thus may all find, and with desire be a part of God's true church, desiring the protection afforded by her walls, and the welfare and strengthening of her walls. Yet may no one relax in that of being one of the 99 within the fold, for neither is Satan's power exempt therein, and many can sleep even in the fold. aS-11

M In closing may all be strengthened in or find the faith which causes us to "... groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body" (Rom 8:23). "For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven" (2 Cor 5:2). And may our faith cause us to be soul wise concerning ourselves and others. while also watching with anticipation for Christ's sudden appearing, so we can too can as Paul said receive the "...crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but onto all them also that love His appearing" (2 Tim 4:8). aS-12

(Count 3341 2/17/01)