“Don’t look at someone else and say, “Well, if he can have
those views and prosper, why can’t I?” You have to “walk in the light” of the
vision that has been given to you. Don’t compare yourself with others or judge
them— that is between God and them. When
you find that one of your favorite and strongly held views clashes with the
“heavenly vision,” do not begin to debate it. If you do, a sense of property
and personal right will emerge in you— things on which Jesus placed no
value. He was against these things as being the root of everything foreign to
Himself— “…for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he
possesses” (Luke 12:15).” CHAMBERS
One of the biggest challenges that we face is not rejecting
obvious sin, but in rejecting that sin which is not so obvious. Sin that is hidden. Sin that is covered by a
consensus that it is not really sinful but acceptable and encouraged behavior. What I am referring to are the standards of
behavior, what are defined by our culture as right or wrong, that which contradicts
the Word of God. Things that we are taught by our parents and others in our
culture that are contrary to the Word, but practiced anyway.
Jesus addressed this problem with the Jews, a problem that
is endemic to all cultures. (Mark 7:6-9) “He answered and said to
them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: 'THIS
PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR FROM ME. AND IN VAIN
THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN.' For laying aside the commandment of God, you
hold the tradition of men— the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other
such things you do." He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you
may keep your tradition.” The problem started in the Garden, and since we
all born with the sin of Adam, why should it be surprising that we struggle
with this.
It is evident in our culture more than ever today. Our children have been taught tolerance of
what others do that is sinful, things promoted as good.
The next step after tolerance is the acceptance of something that is sinful
as something that is not sinful. The
reason is that we stop looking to the Word as the standard of right and wrong and
look to our culture instead. (1 Peter 1:18-19)
“knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible
things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition
from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb
without blemish and without spot.” We forget that the Word of God is supreme over anything our culture .. to include our
parents .. may say is right or wrong.
We are to be salt in our culture which means that we are to
be different … like light is to darkness …. Not conformed to this world but
transformed (Romans 12:2). If we
choose to live like the culture, we have lost our purpose and are good for
nothing. (Matthew
5:13) "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.” Standing up against the culture you live in is a difficult thing to do, but stand we must. So stand up Christian and let your light
shine to bring glory to the Father. ELGIN
Bondye Beni Ou (God Bless You)
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