With the world
Is that ok? Let's just accept everything and pretend everything is good, and keep our rose-colored glasses firmly in place. Is that how to interpret:
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren,
whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report;
if there be any virtue,
and if there be any praise,
think on these things.
This is God's communication to the church from Revelation chapters 2-3 as given by Pastor John MacArthur (given April 1984 and still relevant)
. http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/1299/the-danger-facing-the-church
I agree with Pastor MacArthur on most things...with the exception of that little area of a pre-trib rapture, but he doesn't mention that in this sermon, and this is a very good sermon.
Today, our church is under so many different forms of attack from our enemy, and this one, compromise, is the most subtle of his weapons against us. He has lots of tricks up his sleeve, and yes, the Lord won't forsake us as we continue to seek His direction, His discernment...certainly we must not forsake compassion for those still in the world, but we must be wary of falling into accepting and conforming to what the world does, compromising with it, in the guise of "love"... that is not love, it is the antithesis of love, because it will numb us from being a witness and a warning to it of it's degeneracy and fallen-ness, and it's need for a Savior. If we compromise with the world, the devil succeeds in making us ineffective. Salt that has lost it's savor is worthless, bland, and adds nothing of value.
I pray that the Lord will strengthen us for what is ahead, and that our salt will not have lost it's savor, that we will be a witness for Jesus to the world that the world is terribly wicked and depraved, and hopelessly headed for hell, and to the fact that there but by the grace of God go I.
Is that ok? Let's just accept everything and pretend everything is good, and keep our rose-colored glasses firmly in place. Is that how to interpret:
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren,
whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report;
if there be any virtue,
and if there be any praise,
think on these things.
This is God's communication to the church from Revelation chapters 2-3 as given by Pastor John MacArthur (given April 1984 and still relevant)
. http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/1299/the-danger-facing-the-church
I agree with Pastor MacArthur on most things...with the exception of that little area of a pre-trib rapture, but he doesn't mention that in this sermon, and this is a very good sermon.
Today, our church is under so many different forms of attack from our enemy, and this one, compromise, is the most subtle of his weapons against us. He has lots of tricks up his sleeve, and yes, the Lord won't forsake us as we continue to seek His direction, His discernment...certainly we must not forsake compassion for those still in the world, but we must be wary of falling into accepting and conforming to what the world does, compromising with it, in the guise of "love"... that is not love, it is the antithesis of love, because it will numb us from being a witness and a warning to it of it's degeneracy and fallen-ness, and it's need for a Savior. If we compromise with the world, the devil succeeds in making us ineffective. Salt that has lost it's savor is worthless, bland, and adds nothing of value.
I pray that the Lord will strengthen us for what is ahead, and that our salt will not have lost it's savor, that we will be a witness for Jesus to the world that the world is terribly wicked and depraved, and hopelessly headed for hell, and to the fact that there but by the grace of God go I.
We have to remember words from Romans... be not conformed to this world.
ReplyDeleteHi Susan (hey, great name!)
DeleteIt's so easy to get sucked into all of that and be a part of the group-think... I fail every day, but that doesn't change the fact that I want to get the word out, and I want to be a part of the "separate people". It's something I've been in prayer about constantly lately. And as I desire what God desires, He gives me the (true) desires of my heart!
Eph 4:20 But ye have not so learned Christ;
Eph 4:21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
Eph 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
Eph 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
Eph 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.