LOVE instructs, exhorts, rebukes, disciplines, and teaches, it does NOT encourage what is against *GOD*, *GODLINESS*, or what comprises LOVE, which is healthy, healing, right, just, good, and HOLY! NOTHING UNHOLY is to defile what *GOD* HAS DECLARED HOLY, and this means us, whom are Sanctified, and Consecrated, set apart for LOFTY, and HOLY use!!!
"Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE," says the Lord. "AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you.
It is wrong for believers to join with the wicked and profane. The word unbeliever applies to all destitute of true faith. True pastors will caution their beloved children in the gospel, not to be unequally yoked. We should not join in friendship and acquaintance with wicked men and unbelievers. Though we cannot wholly avoid seeing and hearing, and being with such, yet we should never choose them for friends. We must not defile ourselves by converse with those who defile themselves with sin. Come out from the workers of iniquity, and separate from their vain and sinful pleasures and pursuits; from all conformity to the corruptions of this present evil world. If it be an envied privilege to be the son or daughter of an earthly prince, who can express the dignity and happiness of being sons and daughters of the Almighty?
1/ Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;
2/ and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
3/ But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints;
4/ and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
5/ For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
6/ Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
7/ Therefore do not be partakers with them;
8/ for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light
9/ (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),
10/ trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
11/ Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them;
12/ for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.
13/ But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.
14/ For this reason it says,
“Awake, sleeper,
And arise from the dead,
And Christ will shine on you.”
15/ Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,
16/ making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
17/ So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is
Filthy lusts must be rooted out. These sins must be dreaded and detested. Here are not only cautions against gross acts of sin, but against what some may make light of. But these things are so far from being profitable. that they pollute and poison the hearers.
Our cheerfulness should show itself as becomes Christians, in what may tend to God's glory. A covetous man makes a god of his money; places that hope, confidence, and delight, in worldly good, which should be in God only. Those who allow themselves, either in the lusts of the flesh or the love of the world, belong not to the kingdom of grace, nor shall they come to the kingdom of glory.
When the vilest transgressors repent and believe the gospel, they become children of obedience, from whom God's wrath is turned away. Dare we make light of that which brings down the wrath of God? Sinners, like men in the dark, are going they know not whither, and doing they know not what. But the grace of God wrought a mighty change in the souls of many.
Walk as children of light, as having knowledge and holiness. These works of darkness are unfruitful, whatever profit they may boast; for they end in the destruction of the impenitent sinner.
There are many ways of abetting, or taking part in the sins of others; by commendation, counsel, consent, or concealment. And if we share with others in their sins, we must expect to share in their plagues. If we do not reprove the sins of others, we have fellowship with them. A good man will be ashamed to speak of what many wicked men are not ashamed to do. We must have not only a sight and a knowledge that sin is sin, and in some measure shameful, but see it as a breach of God's holy law. After the example of prophets and apostles, we should call on those asleep and dead in sin, to awake and arise, that Christ may give them light.
Another remedy against sin, is care, or caution, it being impossible else to maintain purity of heart and life. Time is a talent given us by God, and it is misspent and lost when not employed according to his design. If we have lost our time heretofore, we must double our diligence for the future. Be not unwise. Ignorance of our duty, and neglect of our souls, show the greatest folly.
While I surely, DON'T HATE THE SINNER, I DETEST the sins of this world, but I will NOT be coerced, brow-beaten, nor intimidated into condoning sin! We are ALL SINNERS, each and every one, HOWEVER, the TRUE WILL HAVE A CHANGE OF HEART TOWARDS SIN, AND IMITATE THE LORD *GOD*, HIS WILL, and HIS WAYS! I work diligently to correct my own sins, thus WHY would I be forced into being complacent, and yielding to the sins of others, especially KNOWING that to do so, yokes me with such, and hence, increases my sin???
There are SO many misconstrued interpretations of THE WORD in this world, and many of these stem from not having REAL knowledge of said WORD, from not having READ it, or from twisting it to meet the times! *GOD* says HIS WORD IS UNCHANGING, and FOREVER! HE IS *GOD*, ALL KNOWING, ALL SEEING, ALL PRESENT, and NOTHING has been left to chance; ALL things have been DETERMINED LONG before our existence, and ARE TRIED, TESTED, and PROVEN, therefore, they STAND SOUND, and STRONG, regardless of the endless attempts of humans, and other beings to lessen, or corrupt the PURE PRINCIPLES therein, devised for our own GOOD, safety, and well-being!!!
No, it shouldn't have come to the point of 'the state' forcing us to act against THE LORD in various ways, nor that our Churches, and others aid, and abet sin, but here it is, SO WE, of THE LORD, HAVE to take a stand, regardless of the fiery darts which will surely fly, as we do so! Our ARMOR should be secure, and we SHOULD be well equipped to withstand all opposition, but if we are in danger, let us PRAY with ALL the strength of FAITH we can muster!!!
REV. LWINSOR © 2014
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS
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