Bible Thoughts

August 1, 2004

A great gulf exists between the world's standard and that which is set forth by the Lord. There are many things acceptable in the eyes of the world that are frowned on by the Lord of Heaven and Earth. What is harmful to the soul in the eyes of God may not seem harmful in the eyes of the world. Many of these activities offer an appearance of being good, but--upon investigation, are found to be detrimental to a man's spiritual welfare. As a child of God, every Christian is to avail himself of the opportunities to learn more and, as he learns, to apply the teachings that become familiar to him. When the child of God is able to recognize the dangers of the world, he can work at eliminating that which will destroy the soul. The world is not a judge of morality. We live in a time that the God of recreation dominates many in their thinking and lives. Too many people think of enjoyment in the terms of some form of physical recreation. America bows deeper in the worship of this god as each year passes. Is it wrong to enjoy recreation? Absolutely not, but when it interferes with what is right, it becomes wrong. Again, do not misunderstand--the need for proper physical activities is certainly appropriate for each disciple. The disciple is to put the kingdom and God's word first in one's life(Matthew 6:33).

The scriptures teach that the Christian is to separate himself from the ungodly world by not participating in that which is displeasing to God. When Paul wrote a warning to the possibity of letting unrighteousness overcome some, he admonished, "Come ye out and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch no unclean thing..."(II Corinthians 6:17). When instructing Titus in the paths of righteousness, the author wrote, "For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us, to the intent, that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly and righteously and godly in this present world"(Titus 2:11-12).

Such admonitions could well be heeded "in this present world" of 2004. An oft quoted passage(at least for the benefit of the first part), has this to reveal: "Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." Such is not saying we are not in the world in the sense of meeting material responsibilities, but we are not of the world. Christians are to be "blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom ye are seen as lights in the world"(Philippians 2:15).

Be Ye Separate

The separation from worldly activities that condemn the soul is to be complete and final. The Lord does not accept part- time service while the rest of the time is spent in that which is contrary to the standard of morality for the disciple. There can be no divided loyalty; it is all or none. When Jesus tried to impress such truths on the minds of those in His day, He pointed out, "No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God"(Luke 9:62). Such a price is too high for the majority. There have been those who have ceased to associate with a congregation that expected Christians to be decent moral characters in favor of a place where they would not be hearing preaching on proper moral behavior. The conscientious Christian recognizes there can be no compromise with the world.

When a disciple separates himself from the world and no longer walks in unrighteousness, he will often face opposition from friends, neighbors, and relatives. There will be those who will not appreciate his steps into godliness. He may even receive ridicule from close friends. One living as a Christian can expect such behavior because, "Yea, all that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution"(II Timothy 3:12). A godly life is a censure of an ungodly one! "..and be not fashioned according to his world..."(Romans 12:2).

Recreation

The Bile teaches that a certain amount of good can and will come from physical exercise or recreation. Paul stated, "For bodily exercise is profitable for a little..."(I Timothy 4:8). It is a firm conviction that for a person to be wholly developed, he will provide some form of proper recreation.

Recreation, however, is not a work of the Lord's church. When a congregation provides facilities for recreational uses, she has departed from the pattern of the New Testament. She follows after the lesser ideals. Nevertheless, the individual saint(s) have every right to enjoy the physical of this life. One can provide his own entertainment; a group of disciples can have entertainment; a disciple has a right to use the community offerings.

Christians should consider the effect upon their faith when pursuing such as mentioned above. While it is right to enjoy the physical, it is not right to neglect the spiritual. The faithful should consider the following. How much time will be consumed? What influence will be exerted? Will I neglect other matters, much more important, to pursue my desires?

Let is be said that whatever the disciple becomes involved in does not conflict with the pursuit of righteousness. When one neglects his duty to God, he is in trouble with the Lord. Always remember: "But seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness..."(Matthew 6:33).

The apostle Paul addressed the brethren at Corinth in these words: "Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, even them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints"(I Corinthians 1:2). Are you aware that every person who is a Christian is a saint? The word itself contains the idea of one set apart. When one is saved, he or she is set apart to the service of Jesus Christ. There were no canonizations; they just obeyed the gospel and became saints. Since Christians are set apart to the service of God as saints, they live by the standards set forth in the Word of God. They live righteously; they worship God; they obey His commandments. Such disciples are dedicated to the service of the Master and live a consecrated life of godliness. Only God can make a saint: he makes you one when you obey and follow his commands.