| Whatsoever
Things Are True
by Dan Coburn Pastor, Emmanuel Baptist Church pastordan@mtida.net Get it Resolved: The world can be divided into but two kinds of people. (A) Those "in Christ"; the believers who the beatitudes called blessed-(makarioi). They are in-dwelt by God because of Christ, and are identified by the fact that they realize their Spiritual Helplessness; showing sorrow over sin, being meek (balanced between extremes), hungry for God's righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, ridiculed and persecuted or slandered because of Christ. Any takers? These are compared to Salt and Light, which is oddly enough, a very misunderstood analogy. The other group (B) consists of the unbelievers of the world. (Those in Adam) They are proud, self-sufficient, not recognizing their own unrighteousness before God. Let's turn the Spiritual Switch, and look at New Years Resolutions. If you are in group B, may I implore you by the mercies of God to receive "the love of the truth that you might be saved"? 2nd Thes. 2:10 If you are in category A, let's examine Salt and Light for a moment. Nugget: The believer influences the unbelieving by what he/she Is, not what he/she has. Christ didn't say you have salt and light, He said: "ye are" salt and light. Your very presence in the world throws a big wrench into Satan's world plan. So what is Salt and Light? Salt is the Condition, Light is the Mission. Salt adds flavor (meaning), preserves (saves from decay), melts cold (hearts) and heals. With these properties in hand, we are to (Light) Shine Forth. We are to expose. Psalm 94:17 says: "unless the Lord had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence". Darkness is simply the absence of light. Do you feel insignificant sometimes? Remember this; the smallest bit of light casts out darkness - "And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehended (could not overcome) it not" - John 1:5 In 2nd Thessalonians 2 we see that the Holy Spirit is holding back evil - or the Antichrist, or evil influences, and that someday the Holy Spirit is going to be removed from the world. Many believe that is what Christians call The Rapture (1st Thes. 4:13-18, and 1st Cor. 15:52 and following). And where is the Holy Spirit now? He is the "indwelling Christ" in Christians. This is the force that is restraining evil now. This is why there is such an all out assault on Christ, Christians, The Bible, and all absolute Truths of the Bible. This is why the world so hatefully stifles the warnings of God's Word as espoused by His chosen venue - us - "For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." 1st Cor. 1:21 Jude 3 "urges" us to "earnestly contend (fight) for the faith", while the world tells us we are free to believe what we want in the confines of our Churches or our homes. How does that jive with being Salt and Light? Resolve this year to live out your faith w/o compromise, always tempering it with humility knowing that "but for the Grace of God, there go I". Jesus said: "All power is given me in heaven and in earth" Matt. 28:18, And as a result of that knowledge - "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" vs 19. Let's purpose this year to step out in faith, according to His will and tell everyone. God Bless. |
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