Sanctification 3

Bible Thoughts - ( Sanctification )3The believer must not be oblivious of the dangers that lie ahead of him if heignores the realities that exist in a Satan-ruled world.If he does, he ends up in a situation.He becomes ignorant of the devices of an experienced, audacious diabolicdeceiver, whose history is at least 6000 years!Ephesians 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,16 -Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.17- Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord isCircumspectly means cautiously.Many times, we allow any thing to influence us carelessly.We must do a "Word check" before imbibing thought patterns.When we are not circumspect, we are fools.Jesus says the same thing.Matthew 10:16 Behold, I am sending you out like sheep in the midst of wolves; be [c]wary and wise as serpents, and be innocent (harmless, guileless, and [d]without falsity) as doves Amp.Our first line of caution and most important is relationships.Believers cannot be found "hanging out" with unbelievers.We are to be kind to all (Galatians 6:10).We are instructed to entertain strangers but are NEVER to become intimately close with ANY unbeliever.As we had earlier seen, the unbeliever has Satan within his heart!(bible words not mine).It is not an unfair use of words.It is the scriptural description of a man who has not received the gospel.Jesus says it this way.John 8:44 You are of your father, the devil, and it is your will to practice the lusts and gratify the desires [which are characteristic]of your father. Amp.He refers here to those who refuse His message.They are Satan's kids.Paul's teaching is very apt, succinct and without ambiguity.2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers [do not make mismated alliances with them or come under a different yoke with them, inconsistent with your faith]. For what partnership have right living and right standing with God with iniquity and lawlessness? Or how can light have fellowship with darkness?15 What harmony can there be between Christ and Belial [the devil]? Or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?16 What agreement [can there be between] a temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in and with and among them and will walk in and with and among them, and I willbe their God, and they shall be My people.17 So, come out from among [unbelievers], and separate (sever) yourselves from them, says the Lord, and touch not [any] unclean thing; then I will receive you kindly and treat you with favour,18 And I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.Clearly put.The unbeliever and the believer should NEVER become close!The believer has one major mission to the world-Go ye into all the world and PREACH the gospel (Mark 16:15), Make Disciples of every nation (Matthew 28:18-20).Many have been caught believing the world’s gospel (while trading theirs away) and are becoming disciples of the nations whom they were sent to reach!Shocking, alarming, shameful!James 4:4 friendship with the world is ENMITY with God!We must draw the line in all relationships. The operative word is "line".Many complain about too many church meetings.They ignore the Word when they say this.They are reading and agreeing with the complaints of secular media aboutthe Church.They soon forget the media is largely controlled by Lucifer, his kids and cohorts.They rule out Jesus's words-THE WORLD HATES THE CHURCH, HATES THE WORD AND HATES YOU!Church meetings are family meetings.It’s to keep us from this sinful world.We continually hear the word.We are INDOCTRINATED.We are put under watch.Caution.We are at home.Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider and give [a]attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities,25 Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching.We must NOT neglect church meetings.As the end is upon us, we must be more faithful with church meetings.The early church practiced this.Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord addedto the church daily such as should be saved.We often complain about length of services.We say a two-hour service is long.We say 3-hour services are too long, 4-hour services are CRAZY!Whatever happened to us?Yet we have watched "Prison Break" with its numerous seasons.We see serialised movies in parts till we exhaust the materials.We watch 2-hour long Soccer matches and are not ashamed to describe an encounter with the Word as too long!We are so comfortable with mingling with the world , its movies, information.Yet we find the Word, Christ's Church as dispensable!We must REPENT.Our primary social group MUST be the church.His Church.Our family!We are at home in corporate dinners and social functions. We tirelessly meet with business giants before whom we seem like grasshoppers.We visit the cinemas and see movies on a regular basis.Yet we choose when to appear in church and how!SHAME.We must interact with The Word daily. The Spirit daily. The Church daily.This keeps us guarded and safe from a world ruled by lusts, sin, and Satan!1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be so deceived and misled! Evil companionships (communion, associations) corrupt and deprave good manners and morals and character. Amp.Clear words!Let’s stay with God’s wisdom. His Word- Our Sanctification.Blessed! Stay in the right company, the Church, the Word, The Spirit of God!Jesus is Lord,We win!