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Christianity was supposed to be about becoming like Jesus. | |
We went in the wrong direction. |
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Chapter 7 - Resonance with the world
A tuning fork is sometimes used to adjust a musical device such as a piano. The physical characteristics of the device are such that when a sound wave of a precise frequency is made by the musical instrument, the fork begins to vibrate being able to receive the maximum amount of sound energy because it has been so constructed as to respond to a specific musical note and no others. We know that Satan sets the course of the world. Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: - Ephesians 2:2 He has constructed it to achieve his objectives. We may assume that it involves collectivizing the entire world in a hierarchical system to leverage his influence (since he cannot be everywhere at once). We can understand some of his plans; Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. - 2 Corinthians 2:11 How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. - Isaiah 14:12-14 We are also told that Christians should not be part of this evolving world system. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. - James 4:4 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 Our ability to surrender our selfishness is greatly hindered by the design of the world which resonates with our flesh like the Sirens calling Ulysses to his doom. 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. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. - 1 John 2:15-17 The replacement of family life with social life has led modern man to be so integrated into the lives of others in employment, education, and even recreational situations that we can cringe in fear lest we trigger a negative reaction from someone. We frequently find ourselves in social situations where we are expected to resonate with the world and not with Christ. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? - 2 Corinthians 6:14 A Christian can find he begins to excuse or justify what he does at work so as to not risk losing employment. A Christian can be pressured to remain silent for fear of getting people angry at him. The process of worldly indoctrination can be seen in the acceptance of divorce, immorality, and even perversion that would have been unthinkable to even mention a few decades ago. Promiscuity was once considered shameful and virginity virtuous. Today they are reversed as chastity is mocked and even ridiculed. Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! - Isaiah 5:20 The bible uses the word 'woe' 98 times and it is never good. Educational systems are more geared for compliance forming than learning. Media serves to imprint values reinforced with the assumption that social momentum validates it (popularity = truth). It is so easy to accept that if everyone else thinks something, then we should accept it also. The flesh is drawn to that which is easy. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. - Matthew 7:13-14 The flesh recoils from a difficult walk of life counter to the general flow. The flesh also is disinclined towards the effort to seek out and evaluate truth. Dying to self and selfishness requires a disengagement from the course of the world and charting an active and independent course. The world has been designed to make things fast, cheap, and easy, all the things that appeal to our flesh. The pull the world exerts on our flesh can be countered by giving active effort to those things that appeal to the Spirit. My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path. When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: - Proverbs 2:1-11 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. - Colossians 3:1-2 Since we can become so blind to the worldly and fleshly condition of our lives, it is essential to ask God to show us what needs to change so that we can follow him and die to self. Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. - Psalm 19:12 |
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