Hey, we CAN have fun, but for EVERYTHING there IS a season, and ABOVE ALL else IS THE LORD *GOD*, and therefore our allegiance TO HIM, OVER all! Time does NOT exist for us to party, party, party, and do whatever else to satisfy the flesh! NO WAY! Repeatedly, we are taught to put time in perspective, ACCORDING TO *GOD*, and HIS WILL, as we take off the flesh, and step into the spirit; being, and doing what REVEALS HIM TO Mankind, and GLORIFIES HIM!!!
Unbelievably, more than some Christians are bound up in the world, in constant satiation of the flesh, seemingly void of the knowledge or understanding that we ARE DEAD TO the world, and therefore we become OF THE KINGDOM, IN TRUTH, and spirit! That means we at least TRY to relinquish the holds the world has on us, as well as that which leads us to err, to debauchery, to over-indulging, and all those things the world considers normal, but which ARE against THE LORD, and HIS WILL! IF we are OF HIM, then we OUGHT to be REFLECTING HIM in word, and deed; NOT reveling in the flesh, celebrating the flesh, and being excessive in that celebrating!!!
THE SOUL IS OUR TRUTH, and REALITY: ALL else will cease to exist, and if we do NOT prepare for THE LORD, and instead, choose to please the physical being, then the soul will be lost with all which shall cease! THIS IS IMPERATIVE enough to ALWAYS consider, especially when being tempted, and caused to WANT to participate in worldly ways!!!
1+++Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.
2+++As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.
3+++For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.
4+++They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.
5+++But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
6+++For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.
The strongest and best arguments against sin, are taken from the sufferings of Christ. He died to destroy sin; and though he cheerfully submitted to the worst sufferings, yet he never gave way to the least sin.
Temptations could not prevail, were it not for man's own corruption; but true Christians make the will of God, not their own lust or desires, the rule of their lives and actions. And true conversion makes a marvelous change in the heart and life. It alters the mind, judgment, affections, and conversation. When a man is truly converted, it is very grievous to him to think how the time past of his life has been spent. One sin draws on another. Six sins are here mentioned which have dependence one upon another. It is a Christian's duty, not only to keep from gross wickedness, but also from things that lead to sin, or appear evil. The gospel had been preached to those since dead, who by the proud and carnal judgment of wicked men were condemned as evil-doers, some even suffering death. But being quickened to Divine life by the Holy Spirit, they lived to God as his devoted servants. Let not believers care, though the world scorns and reproaches them.
17+++So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.
18+++They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.
19+++Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
20+++That, however, is not the way of life you learned
21+++when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.
22+++You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;
23+++to be made new in the attitude of your minds;
24+++and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
The apostle charged the Ephesians in the name and by the authority of the Lord Jesus, that having professed the gospel, they should not be as the unconverted Gentiles, who walked in vain fancies and carnal affections. Do not men, on every side, walk in the vanity of their minds? Must not we then urge the distinction between real and nominal Christians?
They were void of all saving knowledge; they sat in darkness, and loved it rather than light. They had a dislike and hatred to a life of holiness, which is not only the way of life God requires and approves, and by which we live to him, but which has some likeness to God himself in his purity, righteousness, truth, and goodness.
The truth of Christ appears in its beauty and power, when it appears as in Jesus. The corrupt nature is called a man; like the human body, it is of divers parts, supporting and strengthening one another. Sinful desires are deceitful lusts; they promise men happiness, but render them more miserable; and bring them to destruction, if not subdued and mortified. These therefore must be put off, as an old garment, a filthy garment; they must be subdued and mortified. But it is not enough to shake off corrupt principles; we must have gracious ones. By the new man, is meant the new nature, the new creature, directed by a new principle, even regenerating grace, enabling a man to lead a new life of righteousness and holiness. This is created, or brought forth by God's almighty power.
Believe me, I KNOW what it feels like to not 'fit in' anymore, but I TRY to remember we WON'T, because we are not OF the world, just in it for a while! It IS unsettling at times, especially when we are more surrounded by those we don't 'fit in' with than we are with those who exist according to *GOD* and HIS WILL, which IS common as we all have our people, our Families, and the extension of that! We would pretty much have to exist in total separation in order to NOT be exposed to the fact that we DON'T 'fit in' like we once did, IF we ever did! Sometimes it is downright hard to experience, but I WON'T cave in for want of 'fitting in', because I KNOW THE TRUTH, and that this IS part of our reality...
*GOD'S* CHOSEN are a peculiar people; they SHALL be a priesthood unto HIM, and SERVE HIM eternally, and their training begins in this world...
For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who disobey the gospel of God?
By patience and fortitude in suffering, by dependence on the promises of God, and keeping to the word the Holy Spirit hath revealed, the Holy Spirit is glorified; but by the contempt and reproaches cast upon believers, he is evil spoken of, and is blasphemed. One would think such cautions as these were needless to Christians. But their enemies falsely charged them with foul crimes. And even the best of men need to be warned against the worst of sins. There is no comfort in sufferings, when we bring them upon ourselves by our own sin and folly. A time of universal calamity was at hand, as foretold by our Saviour, Mt 24:9,10. And if such things befall in this life, how awful will the day of judgment be! It is true that the righteous are scarcely saved; even those who endeavour to walk uprightly in the ways of God. This does not mean that the purpose and performance of God are uncertain, but only the great difficulties and hard encounters in the way; that they go through so many temptations and tribulations, so many fightings without and fears within. Yet all outward difficulties would be as nothing, were it not for lusts and corruptions within. These are the worst clogs and troubles. And if the way of the righteous be so hard, then how hard shall be the end of the ungodly sinner, who walks in sin with delight, and thinks the righteous is a fool for all his pains! The only way to keep the soul well, is, to commit it to God by prayer, and patient perseverance in well-doing. He will overrule all to the final advantage of the believer.
This IS imperative instruction as it strengthens the mindset, heart, and whole being OF those who determine to please THE LORD *GOD* OVER everything, and everyone! In LEARNING; in becoming fortified, we ARE more enabled, enriched, enlightened, endowed, empowered, and encouraged, therefore, more willing, and attentive TO resisting what works against HIM, and ourselves, which IS crucial, as the tests, and trials of time INTEND to trip, then trap us! Our LORD IS GENIUS, and HAS provided THE WAY FOR our good, and safety; NOT that we do it on our own, but that we better meld WITH HIM, and HIS WILL FOR the completion of HIS PLAN IN our existence, which BRINGS us to LIFE such as we can only fathom in this realm...
Time on Earth is FULL of lessons for those going to THE KINGDOM, which PREPARES us, TRANSFORMS us, and makes us WHOLE IN HIS NAME, FOR HIS GLORY! This doesn't mean we can never enjoy this plane, or what it consists of, but that we do so IN the mentality of righteousness, and with as much wholesomeness as is fitting for HIS people! Let us EVER PRAISE, WORSHIP, HONOUR, REJOICE, GIVE THANKS, GROW and DEVELOP, LOVE, PRAY, PRAY, PRAY, and exist in TRUTH and SPIRIT; it is not only for our own soul, but for the many lost to this world!!!
LWINSOR © 2017
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS
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