I’M SAVED, NOW WHAT? (part-35)

I’M SAVED, NOW WHAT?

FRIENDSHIP WITH THE WORLD (2 of 2)

    Idolatry (continued):
    Obviously there are times when we are ill, or required to work,
    or something unexpectedly occurs. Any of these can prevent us
    from worshipping with others, but when we choose to please
    ourselves over obeying His command, we are practicing a form
    of idolatry. We are putting our desires ahead of His command.

    In the scriptures just referenced (Hebrews 10:24-25), meeting
    together is not a suggestion, but a command. Even though we
    may not like the sound of it, whenever we choose something
    other than obeying His commands, it is rebellion and disobedience.

    Jesus spent over three hours on the cross because He cares that much
    for us, however many will not spend one hour in church worshipping
    and praising Him for the sacrifice He made for all mankind. They
    choose instead to pursue their own selfish interests, they refuse to
    get dressed and attend church, or they just decide to sleep instead
    of attending worship services.
    Note:
        There are extenuating circumstances (such as compromised immune
        systems as a result of medications for various forms of cancer) which
        can prevent those with a desire to worship from attending a physical
        church for worship, but it doesn’t mean they should not find other
        ways to participate in worshipping the Lord.

        For instance, due to pandemics many churches have made their services
        available through several venues (Facebook, YouTube, etc.). If we are
        in a situation where we cannot connect with others on the church campus,
        we need to find other ways of connecting with fellow Christians in other
        ways. When we do, we can still be part of a church family where we learn
        more about God’s Word and pray for each other.

    Witchcraft:
    Including Ouija boards, zodiac signs, and superstitions.

    Hatred:
    Not just a show of hatred, but it also includes any ‘thoughts’ of hatred.

    Discord:
    Lack of harmony; causing dissention and disagreements.
    Basically stirring up trouble (could be lying, gossiping,
    boasting, or just plain rudeness).

    Jealousy:
    Although on the surface some may say the right things, deep inside
    they hate to see others receive blessings or any type of recognition.
    They hate to see anyone getting more attention, owning more, or
    having greater success than them.

    Incidentally, some people invoke jealousy in others whenever they
    brag about what they own, or what they have accomplished, or the
    important friends they have. Bragging is indicative of arrogant pride,
    which God hates. Now we can understand why – it causes wrong
    desires in others.

    Fits of rage:
    Typically an uncontrolled anger. An anger that includes words,
    and or physical actions including abuse, destruction of property
    and possibly murder.

    Selfish ambition:
    A burning desire to get what one wants regardless of what unethical
    practices are used, or how many people are hurt in the process. This
    can include an unhealthy desire for attention that causes a person to
    go to any extreme to get noticed. For instance, in a group setting
    where everyone is seated, a person with this type of selfishness can
    often be seen standing up, or talking loud in order to get attention.

    Dissensions:
    Causing all kinds of arguments. Sometimes it seems that certain
    people look for opportunities to argue, and we’re not talking about
    the friendly debates that friends have for entertainment.

    We have heard the phrase, ‘pick your battles’ but some people consider
    every issue and circumstance as a battle. Due to their pride, they refuse
    to lose an argument even when someone else has a legitimate point. They
    seldom compromise and are quick to tell others that their opinions are
    wrong.

    Some members of bible study classes have told me that their teacher is
    like that. They said the teacher was adamant that others were wrong
    when their opinion was different from theirs. At times they were even
    boisterous and rude to an individual with a different opinion. This is
    not a good characteristic for any teacher. A teacher should be caring,
    loving, understanding and willing to listen to opposing views.

    Factions:
    Basically this means being a member of a clique to the exclusion of
    others. We can see this even in churches. Well-meaning Christians
    may not intentionally ignore visitors, but they are so busy talking
    with those in their clique that they fail to notice or give attention to
    others. We wouldn’t want others to treat us this way if we visited
    another church, and yet some will not make a temporary sacrifice
    of time with their friends to make a visitor feel welcomed at their
    own church.

    Envy:
    A person with envy is not only jealous of what someone else has, but
    they have a burning desire to have the same things. Their perception
    is that they will never be happy or content until they attained equality
    with others.

    Whenever their envy is about others receiving recognition, all kinds of
    problems can develop as they compete for attention. This can lead to
    arguments, gossiping, lying and any number of other character flaws
    that should not be evident in the lives of believers.

    Drunkenness:
    The best way to avoid this condition is to make a conscious decision not
    to drink, period. Some make excuses for what they want to do. They say
    things like, “I only drink socially” or “I only drink occasionally”, or
    “The people in the bible drank wine so it must be okay”. It is much better
    to simply say, “I don’t drink”.

    And as far as the wine in the bible, it could be equated to something
    similar to grape juice with very little, or possibly no alcohol. When
    the Holy Spirit arrived at Pentecost and the folks started speaking in
    other tongues, some assumed that they were drunk.
        When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in
        one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent
        wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where
        they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of
        fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All
        of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak
        in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were
        staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation
        under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came
        together in bewilderment, because each one heard their
        own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked:
        “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is
        it that each of us hears them in our native language? Parthians,
        Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and
        Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt
        and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both
        Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear
        them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”Amazed
        and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”
        Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too
        much wine.” (Acts 2:1-13)

    But look at how Peter responded to this accusation.
        Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice
        and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you
        who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen
        carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as
        you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! (Acts 2:14-15)

        Peter told them that there was not enough time for them to get
        drunk even if they had been drinking wine all morning. He implied
        that the kind of wine available in biblical times would take many
        hours of drinking in order to become drunk.

    We know the effects alcohol has on our physical bodies, which is the
    temple of the Holy Spirit. We should not want the scent of alcohol to
    contaminate His temple – for that reason alone we should be motivated
    to avoid drinking, or smoking.

    Orgies:
    Basically any sexual activities that are
    outside the boundaries established by God.

Now that we have gone through the list, we need to be reminded that
the life of a believer is not a list of do’s and don’ts, it is a lifestyle and
an attitude of loving God. When we love Him above everything else,
we will have a natural desire to fellowship with Him, to obey Him,
and to feel remorse whenever we fail to obey His commands
(including His call for us to serve in His ministry in some capacity).

We are special to God and He should be considered special to us.
Think about that for a moment. The God of the universe (our
Creator) wants us to participate in His earthly ministry, and
He equips us with what we need for serving Him.

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