Therefore, come out from among them (unbelievers) and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. 2 Cor. 6:17
Be separate!
This involves more than just gathering together for a couple of hours
on Sunday mornings. In many cases, the gathering is of believers AND
unbelievers. What fellowship is THAT?
Invariably, around the dinner table with family or at some outdoor venue with strangers, a believer is challenged with someone’s declaration, “I don’t believe in God.” This could arise out of general conversation about religion, as a counterpoint in which no one ever agrees, or as direct opposition in response to “Let’s pray” (say grace) before dinner, or as an intentional provocation or confrontation to the believer’s faith. This is the kind of defiance, on an unbeliever’s part, that develops from fear... fear of the unknown.
For the wrath of God is revealed
from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress
the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in
them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His
invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are
made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because,
although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but
became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing
to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God
into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and
creeping things.
"No one who abides in Him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin — has either seen Him or known Him." 1 John 3:6
The design of God in the gospel, is to make us like Himself — to conform us to His beloved Son, who is "the image of the invisible God." To this end — all the promises, privileges, and precepts of His Word are directed. At this, the work of the Holy and ever blessed Spirit aims. We must resemble Him — imperfectly here on earth. We will resemble Him — perfectly and completely, in Heaven. Christ-likeness is the object we should constantly keep in view — at this we should habitually aim. Being justified by grace, we should daily seek to be sanctified by the Holy Spirit; and that our bodies, souls, and spirits, should be preserved blameless, unto the coming of the day of God. This was John's object in writing this epistle, at this he aims directly or indirectly in every part of it. "These things write we unto you," he says, "so that you will not sin." And "No one who abides in Him keeps on sinning."
Grace and the Guarantee
By - Paul R. Van Gorder
Chapter 1
The current religious scene uses
the word "gospel" indiscriminately. We hear of gospel music, gospel
truth, the old-fashioned gospel, gospel literature, and gospel meetings. But
what is the meaning of the word "gospel"? Coming from the Greek word
euaggelion, it simply means "good tidings" or "good news".
Let me raise a question that might bring opposing response and perhaps considerable disagreement. Here's the question; is there more than one gospel;' Some would quickly answer "of course not! There's only one gospel." They refer to the gospel spoken of by the apostle Paul in this familial passage: “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures” First Corinthians.15:1-4.
But is this the only "good
news" of the Bible?
Tin-Foil Hat Brigade — by Pete Garcia
You know who you are. You’re the person other people tiptoe around
when it comes to discussing current events or religion. You are the person who can spend hours
devouring scripture or news with equal vigor, pointing out ‘last days’ events
to anyone who would listen to you. You
are semi-shunned at church. You are
disinvited from church socials because you are just too intense and
narrow-minded. You’re called a
“conspiracy theorist” or a “Jesus Freak” behind your back. You’re always going on about the Lord’s
return and that “Rapture thingy”. Admit
it. You are one of them, one of those
“prophecy nuts.”
"And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ" ~Ephesians 4:11-12
Do you know how that reads in the
Greek manuscript?
