Do You Enjoy The Company of Sinners and The "World"

2 Corinthians 6:14-17 "Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: 'I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people. Therefore 'Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you."

There are some believers who have decided to spend time with unbelievers. Perhaps their intentions were to witness to these heathens, but after hours of fellowship, witnessing hardly appears to be the focus. Regardless of the appearances, Paul warns us about being yoked with unbelievers.

The words in this passage that describe the Christian are righteousness (dikaiosune), light (phos), Christ (Christos), believer (pistos) and the temple of the living God (naos theos). The words that describe the non-Christian are unrighteousness/lawlessness (anomia), darkness (skotos), Belial (Belial), unbeliever/infidel (apistos) and idols (eidolon).

Paul is using colorful repetition to make a serious point. There is an enormous difference between the believer and the unbeliever. This paper will clear up some misconceptions about unbelievers and it will reveal how our attitude should be toward them.

First, some people have argued that this verse is referring to marriage. If this verse was referring to marriage, why didn't Paul mention marriage plainly? Paul mentions guidelines for married people in other passages. One of the key words in verse 14 is fellowship. Paul is asking the Corinthians a question, in order to make them think about who they are spending time with. "For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness?"

The word fellowship, in this passage, is "metoche" and it means "participation, intercourse, fellowship." It is derived from "metecho" which means, "to share or participate, to be a partaker."

The Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines fellowship as "companionship, company, the state of being a fellow associate, a company of equals or friends, association." Clearly, Paul is not referring to a marriage relationship. God is warning us, through the apostle Paul, that we are not to associate with unbelievers.

Let's examine the word "communion." Paul writes, "What communion has light with darkness?" Communion is the Greek word "koinonia" here. Some of the definitions for this word, in the Greek dictionary, are "partnership, fellowship, communion, communication and intercourse."

"Intimate fellowship, rapport and communication" are three ways the Merriam-Webster's dictionary describes communion.

Are you wondering if an unbelieving friend is understanding the spiritual things you are speaking about?

1 Corinthians 2:12-16 "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For 'who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?' But we have the mind of Christ."

The great apologist Matthew Henry put this passage into good perspective when he said, "No one can know the things of God, but his Holy Spirit, who is one with the Father and the Son, and who makes known Divine mysteries to his church. This is most clear testimony, both to the real Godhead and the distinct person of the Holy Spirit. The apostles were not guided by worldly principles. They had the revelation of these things from the Spirit of God, and the saving impression of them from the same Spirit. These things they declared in plain, simple language, taught by the Holy Spirit, totally different from the affected oratory or enticing words of man's wisdom. The natural man, the wise man of the world, receives not the things of the Spirit of God. The pride of carnal reasoning is really as much opposed to spirituality, as the basest sensuality. The sanctified mind discerns the real beauties of holiness, but the power of discerning and judging about common and natural things is not lost. But the carnal man is a stranger to the principles, and pleasures, and actings of the Divine life. The spiritual man only, is the person to whom God gives the knowledge of his will. How little have any known of the mind of God by natural power! And the apostles were enabled by his Spirit to make known his mind. In the Holy Scriptures, the mind of Christ, and the mind of God in Christ, are fully made known to us. It is the great privilege of Christians, that they have the mind of Christ revealed to them by his Spirit. They experience his sanctifying power in their hearts, and bring forth good fruits in their lives."

Ephesians 2:1 reads, "And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins."

Remember how you were before you believed in Christ? You were dead in your sins. You didn't give Jesus the glory and you didn't worship Him as Lord and Savior. This analogy is given to illustrate how much of a spiritual life an unbeliever has.

A man dead in trespasses and sins has no desire for spiritual pleasures. When we look upon a corpse, it gives an awful feeling. A never-dying spirit is now fled, and has left nothing but the ruins of a man. But if we viewed things aright, we should be far more affected by the thought of a dead soul, a lost, fallen spirit. A state of sin is a state of conformity to this world. Wicked men are slaves to Satan. Satan is the author of that proud, carnal disposition which there is in ungodly men; he rules in the hearts of men."

Does hanging around with an unbeliever enrich my life?

Matthew 5:13 reads, "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men."

The believer in Christ is referred to as the "salt of the earth." In a world full of ungodliness, the Holy Spirit is what sets us apart from the heathen. Jesus is warning about people that become ungodly. What is a good way to become ungodly? Hanging out with ungodly people. Unless an unbeliever is wanting to talk about Jesus, the Bible or church, what can they say that is of spiritual value?

What did David, a man after God's own heart, think about the unbelievers around him?

Psalm 26:4-7 "I have not sat with idolatrous mortals, Nor will I go in with hypocrites. I have hated the assembly of evildoers, And will not sit with the wicked. I will wash my hands in innocence; So I will go about Your altar, O LORD, That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, And tell of all Your wondrous works."

Great care to avoid bad company is both evidence of our integrity and a good way to keep us in it.

Solomon was the wisest man in the world. He tried many things to find happiness and has great insight into this subject. Will the company of unbelievers dull our senses?

Proverb 27:17 "As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend."

Is it ok if people don't believe? Should we just consider them "one of the guys?"

Proverb 29:27 "An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, And he who is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked."

Does this verse say, "An unjust man is sort of bad, but all right to spend time with"? Does this verse say, "An unjust man is good to spend time with, as long as you make sure not to sin with them"? Absolutely not. Solomon is telling us how we should feel towards unbelievers. The word abomination is a serious one. In this verse, the Hebrew word for abomination is "tow'ebah." Do you know where else this word is found? Leviticus 18:22 uses the same word. "You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination."

Paul reminds us......

1 Corinthians 15:33 "Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits."

Do you think the habits of your friends and family rub off on you? I catch myself saying and doing things that I see my peers doing. Hopefully, these are all good things. Honestly, all of the things I've acquired from my Christian peers are not godly. There have been sinful habits passed on to me through my Christian friends.

In the same manner, do you think your unbelieving friends are passing on bad habits to you? Emphatically, yes. Monkey see, monkey do! If we value someone enough to spend time with them, we will listen to them and ultimately become like them. Who are we becoming like? Who should we be becoming like?

When a believer decides to spend time with an unbeliever, in their social life, they are also deciding not to spend time with a believer. Who is getting robbed more? Both the disobedient Christian and the neglected Christian are being robbed. They could both be growing towards Christ and speaking about God, worshiping Him. Instead, when a believer disregards Paul's warning, it is hurting themselves and over time, the body of Christ.

By now, I'm sure you're wondering what your role should be with unbelievers. Here is a list of some things that God has asked us to do.

1) Pray for them.

2) Don't condemn them.

3) Love them.

4) Share the gospel with them.

Here is my prayer: "Thank you for loving us, Lord. You are our awesome God! Save the unbelievers, Lord. Give us patience with them. Help us to be a light in the darkness. Help us to obey You closely. Forgive us for our sins, Lord. Thank you for the unbelievers in our lives. Help us to witness to them. Change their hearts and have them accept You, God. Thank you for teaching us, in Your Word, how we should behave. Increase our faith in You. Increase our discernment. Help us to walk closely to You and not let your desires get in the way. Thank you for your mercy and love. Thank you that your laws are always perfect and best! There's no other God like You! Give us wisdom and peace. Give us joy and strength. Help us do what is right. Help us break away from the unbelievers in our lives, if they don't want to accept the gospel. Let us take You and Your Word seriously. Thank you for having a reason for every sentence, word and comma in the Bible! In Jesus' name, Amen."

Remember - the only two directions an unbeliever can bring you are down or away from Christ.

Morality, Integrity and Influence

Here is an important inspirational I found on the importance that we keep our integrity and character in check so as to not taint our moral authority!!!


Establishing Moral Authority
Glynnis Whitwer

"Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." John 13:14-15 (NIV)

Devotion:
Talking with my son one day, I mentioned I thought I might have made a good lawyer. I love discovering facts, proving my point and standing for justice. It wasn't a real longing, just a passing comment in an afternoon filled with incidental but pleasurable conversation.

At my observation, my son adamantly replied, "You would make a horrible lawyer!"

I looked at him with curiosity and surprise dressing my face. He continued, "You would never lie. In fact, you could boast the fastest conviction rates in your ads. I can see you standing before the judge saying, 'Your honor, my client is guilty!'"

We both laughed at that comment. And I completely agreed with his assessment of my lawyering potential. I guess it's a good thing I stuck with writing.

My son made an exaggerated comment that day to make an observation about my character. We both know there are lawyers with the highest integrity. That wasn't his point. His point was his mother doesn't lie.

His comment snuggled its way into my heart and has stayed there ever since. I make a lot of mistakes in my parenting, but apparently I've done something right. My son knows the real me - the good, bad and ugly. And in this one area of my life, my son has made a crucial observation of my character: it's consistent with what I say.

I've discovered that I'm influenced most by people whose lives match their words. Interestingly, for these people, doing what's right is a natural way to honor God. Their influence over me is a by-product of that devotion, and I'm changed by watching the unspoken alignment of their talk and walk.

Jesus had both authority and influence because His character and actions completely matched His words. Twelve disciples watched His every move. Because they found no inconsistencies, they grew to trust Jesus. This gave Jesus a moral authority that superseded the authority of any other religious leader of the time.

That's the type of mother, wife and friend I want to be. I want to be pursuing God with all my heart, and in so doing, establish moral authority in my life with those closest to me. You see, I understand that even though I have authority with my children, I don't have influence unless there is consistency in my life.


Having my life match my words is one of my highest desires in life. People will eventually notice inconsistencies in my life and when they do, it erodes my influence. Sometimes, I only get one chance to influence the people around me. Sadly, once lost, moral authority is very difficult to regain.

I don't always get it right. There are plenty of times when my actions don't match my words. But my son's comment inspired me to examine my life, and see where there are inconsistencies. As I find them, I am being honest about my weakness, and seeking God's help to deal with them. That's the only way I'll ever develop into the woman I know God wants me to be: one who doesn't have to shout to make her point, but whose quiet actions speak louder than words.

Dear Heavenly Father, I need Your help. I want to be a woman whose life completely matches up to her words. You know there are areas where I fall short, like patience. I submit those areas to You, and ask for Your strength to be the women You want me to be. In Jesus' Name, Amen.


Application Steps:
Identify one area of your life that doesn't match what you say you believe. (Examples might be honesty, patience, kindness, forgiveness)

Using a Bible concordance, search for scriptures that inspire you in this area. Write them down and review them regularly. ( Bible Gateway offers a free keywords search.)

Reflections:
Why is moral authority so much more powerful that traditional authority?

What are some of the reasons we say one thing but do another?

Power Verses:
Galatians 5:22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." (NIV)

Titus 2:11-12, "For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God." (NLT)

Unwritten Life

Unwritten Life by C’wick

What is love… is your love unwritten?
An unexpected baby from Lust’s little kitten?
What is lust, but Love that’s been cheated;
Written out of God’s book of life… depleted!

What is a heart that is empty and frail?
Lost with no certainty; a life without a tale.
Feeding your desires and pleasing the flesh…
Until your heart has hardened and
there’s simply nothing left.

What is a song without meaning or words;
A carelessly written carol… just food for the birds;
It is an unwritten tune about one’s selfish life…
Given unto entities that create loneliness and strife.

What is hope without an empty tomb?
it’s an empty womb…
a heart impaled…
With a sword of discontent;
Heroes without soul and hands without nails;
An unwritten life… hopelessly spent.

What is a cross without innocent blood?
It is a Savior… unwritten.

Postscript:
Let me tell you what Hope looks like:

It is Life written by a loving Creator…
And a Son… His greatest story;
It is salvation born of innocent blood:
Forgiveness… mercy… and glory!

It is trust during the darkest times,
And during life’s most heinous decisions;
To know that God is the master of story-
He can rewrite yours with great precision!

To know that the emptiness you feel within
Is but a cleansing for what is to come;
That goodness of life is written in His book,
The Holy Bible-
…come now, and get you some!

Your life is written. Read it.
Live it.
Touch love… Touch Yeshua, the Christ…
Touch God!

Amen.

Put God Back Into Perspective

Psalm 104

1 Praise the Lord, O my soul.

O Lord my God, you are very great;

you are clothed with splendor and majesty.

2 He wraps himself in light as with a garment;

he stretches out the heavens like a tent

3 and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters.

He makes the clouds his chariot

and rides on the wings of the wind.

4 He makes winds his messengers,a

flames of fire his servants.

5 He set the earth on its foundations;

it can never be moved.

6 You covered it with the deep as with a garment;

the waters stood above the mountains.

7 But at your rebuke the waters fled,

at the sound of your thunder they took to flight;

8 they flowed over the mountains,

they went down into the valleys,

to the place you assigned for them.

9 You set a boundary they cannot cross;

never again will they cover the earth.

10 He makes springs pour water into the ravines;

it flows between the mountains.

11They give water to all the beasts of the field;

the wild donkeys quench their thirst.

12 The birds of the air nest by the waters;

they sing among the branches.

13 He waters the mountains from his upper chambers;

the earth is satisfied by the fruit of his work.

14 He makes grass grow for the cattle,

and plants for man to cultivate—

bringing forth food from the earth:

15 wine that gladdens the heart of man,

oil to make his face shine,

and bread that sustains his heart.

16 The trees of the Lord are well watered,

the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.

17 There the birds make their nests;

the stork has its home in the pine trees.

18 The high mountains belong to the wild goats;

the crags are a refuge for the coneys.b

19 The moon marks off the seasons,

and the sun knows when to go down.

20 You bring darkness, it becomes night,

and all the beasts of the forest prowl.

21 The lions roar for their prey

and seek their food from God.

22 The sun rises, and they steal away;

they return and lie down in their dens.

23 Then man goes out to his work,

to his labor until evening.

24 How many are your works, O Lord!

In wisdom you made them all;

the earth is full of your creatures.

25 There is the sea, vast and spacious,

teeming with creatures beyond number—

living things both large and small.

26 There the ships go to and fro,

and the leviathan, which you formed to frolic there.

27 These all look to you

to give them their food at the proper time.

28 When you give it to them,

they gather it up;

when you open your hand,

they are satisfied with good things.

29 When you hide your face,

they are terrified;

when you take away their breath,

they die and return to the dust.

30 When you send your Spirit,

they are created,

and you renew the face of the earth.

31 May the glory of the Lord endure forever;

may the Lord rejoice in his works—

32 he who looks at the earth, and it trembles,

who touches the mountains, and they smoke.

33 I will sing to the Lord all my life;

I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

34 May my meditation be pleasing to him,

as I rejoice in the Lord.

35 But may sinners vanish from the earth

and the wicked be no more.

Praise the Lord, O my soul.

Praise the Lord.

God... Jesus, the Christ.

They use your name as a curse word...
So eager to belittle your Holiness.
They strive to disprove your reality...
Desperate for the Truth to be silenced.
They blaspheme your very deity...
Trying to lose you amidst their dead gods.
They flood the trendy markets
with your cross...
Longing to numb its message.
They spend lifetimes trying to discredit your ministry;
Funny how it just won't die.
After ages of being free from the cross...
They keep trying to put you back on it...
wishing you back into the grave;
Sorry, silly sinners- He has risen,
And it's a permanent stain, Praise God!

Funny, Father, how the more they try,
The stronger my faith and your truth become,
in light of their failures.
If you are truly no threat...
If they really believed you are imagined...
They would not try so hard to erase your presence
Within society...
Among those seeking truth,
And we as your followers would be of
no consequence what-so-ever...
Mindless zombies to be left alone in our own delusion.
No... they cannot leave us be,
For the power of Truth will always long to be free...
seeking release, and
Keeping them busy as they seek to suppress it.
Funny... that!

gods whom don't exist have no power
and this is why no other gods get the respect,
and disrespect,
That You do, My Lord!


No other gods get the attention you do,
For no other gods have the power of Existence
Like you do...
My Beloved Living God.

Touch God!

Is your god "I AM"... the one and only uncreated deity... maker of heaven and earth and all whom occupy within?

Is your god Jesus... Yeshua the Christ... did your god come down to his creation to become his creation, to die in personal sacrifice for his creation to save his creation from themselves so as to have a personal relationship with his creation forever and ever and ever?

Is your god Spirit within and without... living within you to help guide you into all truth and grow you into the ideal version of whom you were always envisioned to be per your god's design?

Is your god all three one and the same... all working together to create a perfect relationship with YOU?

No? Shame.
Your god is simply too small.

Do yourself a favor and try on my God for size. You won't miss your pocket-sized god one bit, I assure you.

...TOUCH GOD!

Not Of This World... Be In Not Of!

Let me begin with scripture...

I Thessalonians 5:6 (NIV) "6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled."

1st John 2:15 "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him."

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good."
Romans 12:9

... and I can even sum it all up with scripture:

"...make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 2 Peter 1:5-7

... so are you making EVERY Effort? Beloved Christians... is there anything in your life that is incompatible with a Holy and Righteous God? ..........Why?

Everyone is trying to entertain... or compromise... or justify. Who's voice are you listening to... Man's, or God's?

The words being preached are "Hush!" Let 'em be. Show by example. And yes there is scripture to back all these thoughts up... problem is- they're only half-truths and scripture is being manipulated to shut-up a nation of would-be disciples... or worse, giving way to a nation of numb, "live how I interpret the Bible", "faith according to someone else's ideals", cosmetic Christianity. The result is the true mission of a Christian is being drowned in the wake! Discipleship. Sharing the gospel and the gift of Jesus Christ. Showing by example is only PART of the walk of a true Christian. "Worrying about yourself" was that part of the Bible that was speaking of busy-bodies stirring trouble, not people preaching truth from the Bible and sharing the Gospel of Christ... and not judging is for those trying to take the place of God... the judge and executioner.

We are to SPEAK UP when wrongs need right. THAT'S BIBLICAL! We are to SPEAK UP when a brother or sister is wayward. THAT'S BIBLICAL! We are to go into all the world and make disciples of them. You cannot do that if you are to follow the way of the rest of religion which is to "Hush!" and let them follow you by your example. I have got news for you. If you never speak up- they don't know any better to follow you. They may like what they see... but they'll reject it because the world rejects it.

If we decide to just go off of certain scriptures, it's really easy to be led astray into thinking that it's okay to sit on our hands and do nothing. It's okay to join in the world's entertainment, culture, ideals, habits because we're saved by grace.

BULL. It's a lie. Don't fall for it. APPLY ALL OF THE BIBLE TO YOUR WALK CHILDREN! God said I am Holy, so you too be Holy!

I Peter 1:13-21 (NIV) "13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 17 Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God."

Be a man or woman of conviction. Give reason for why you believe what you believe. Test yourself and consider ALL YOUR WAYS. Put it to the "God" test. If you have something in your house like a Buddah statue... consider what it represents and ask yourself, "Is God happy I have this in my home. Does it give Him glory." Consider what it is then read your Bible to find out what God thinks about these things. For a non-Christian who don't know any better... who do not worship the statue, yeah- it's okay. They don't "get it" yet. But for a Christian... the child of MIGHTY GOD... do you think Daddy is looking down and saying, "OH! You have someone else's god in your house. Well done good and faithful servant." Seriously?

You or your children are filling your mind with the world's filth. Certain movies, music, books... things that taint your flesh and quench the Spirit. Does God approve of your entertainment choices? YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN. Is your God proud of you. Did Jesus suffer and die on the cross so that you can have the freedom to fulfill your flesh's every desire. Really? What you watch and listen to goes into your heart whether you realize it or not...

“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” Proverbs 4:23 NIV

1st John 2:15 "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him."

"Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness." Luke 10: 34-35

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good." Romans 12:9

Proverbs 20:6 "Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find? 7 The righteous who walks in his integrity— blessed are his children after him! 9 Who can say, “I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin”? 10 Unequal weights and unequal measures are both alike an abomination to the Lord. 11 Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright. 12 The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord has made them both."

How are you living your life Christian. Are you in the world... NOT OF THE WORLD. Or do you satisfy your hunger for worldly things and try to justify your actions and manipulate the Word to fulfill your own selfish desires?

The Holy Word IS NOT A BUFFET TABLE... something you can pick and choose what fits... what satisfies, then leave the rest for those late to the table. NO. You read the whole Word then apply it properly to your life with proper guidance from the Holy Trinity through prayer. THEN and only THEN, if you want to get more clarity... seek some clarity cautiously from proper Bible-teaching men... always being sure to put everything they might say up against the Word to make sure it fits! Become what the Bible calls us to be... HOLY. Followers and disciples of Jesus Christ. DO YOU BELIEVE OR DON'T YOU. Did you go through hell to get to heaven just to continue to dapple in the things of hell? THEN STOP IT! Live your convictions baby. Don't fall for the hype. You are a child of the Almighty God and Creator. Live like you mean it or YOU DON'T MEAN IT! Period.

Do you love someone if you stand idley by while they continue in their sin and unrighteous living? The Bible says no...

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good." Romans 12:9

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds."
Hebrews 10:24

"Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 1 Corinthians 13:7

1st John 2:15 "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him."

Proverbs 20:6 "Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?

Proverbs 13:24 "Whoever refuses to spank his son hates him, but whoever loves his son disciplines him from early on."

"But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is
how we know we are in him:" 1 John 2:5

2 Timothy 4:2 "Preach the world; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction."

"Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have
sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart."
1 Peter 1:22

Galatians 6:1 "Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself."

James 5:19-20 "My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins."

... and before you go correcting someone else, consider this...
Matthew 7:3-5
"Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye."

(Note that the passage does not tell us not to take the log out of our brother’s eye, but to first deal with our own sin. This process restores both the confronter and the confronted to Christ, pulling all back into unity in Him.)

Isaiah 1:17 "Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows."

... and look at all these:
-John 14:15 If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
-John 14:21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me
-1 John 2:3 And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments
-1 John 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.
-2 John 6 And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.
-Rev 12:17 who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus.
-Rev 14:12 Here is the perseverance of the saints who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus.

Zephaniah 2:3 Seek the LORD, All you humble of the earth Who have carried out His ordinances; Seek righteousness, seek humility. Perhaps you will be hidden In the day of the LORD'S anger.

As you can see there is much to consider in scripture when it comes to your walk. Do not be deceived by "scripture manipulation". Read the whole Bible so you can fully execute your walk with precision and protect yourself from deceit which is deeply rooted in the world today. Silence is not an option. We are to speak with conviction and love the truth of our beliefs... to the world and YES, to one another!

Ephesians 4... "Until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are not longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; But SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ..."


One thing to never forget however, as we do go about preaching the gospel and correcting wrongs and YES, judging one another in Christ (Biblical- HELLO!), is...

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with
compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12

I AM a work in progress. I love fully... genuinely... and with bold compassion that often comes across abrupt and harsh. Forgive me... I do so with a pure and loving heart in Jesus' name. I have come back from a harsh reality and it makes my walk more urgent and thus I come across urgent because it IS urgent. I see it. It's coming and it's not slowing down... it's a flippin' freight train. WAKE UP!

Beloved brethren...

"May the Lord direct your hearts into
God's love and Christ's perseverance."
2 Thessalonians 3:5

Amen. Love Chadwick.


Good reads... 3 links for further study:

Click here: Be Holy

Click here: Confronting Sin and Falsehood

Click here: Encouragement, Edification and Discipline

from a blog I found:

Today's Word from Joel and Victoria

Just like a computer, what you allow into your heart programs your thinking and words, which ultimately determines the direction of your life. Your eyes, ears, and mouth are all gateways to your heart. What you watch and listen to goes into your heart whether you realize it or not. You can guard your heart by filtering what you watch and listen to. If you don’t want to be like the people you see on TV, you shouldn’t watch that program. If you don’t want to act like the people in the songs you hear, you shouldn’t listen to them. But beyond that, you have to guard your heart against bitterness and bad attitudes. When those negative emotions sink into your heart, they will keep you from moving forward. The Bible says that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. That means your words show where your heart is. Take inventory today of what you are saying, watching, and listening to. Make sure that you are glorifying the Lord with your every action. As you guard your heart and mind, the wellspring of life within in you will flow freely, and you will live in the abundance the Lord has in store for you.

A Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, today I submit my mind and heart to You. I choose to guard my heart and ask that You guide and direct my everyday choices. Purify me by Your spirit so that life will flow from me in every area. In Jesus’ Name. Amen