Pastor's Ponderings, June 8, 2020

Let Us Be Holy Not Worldly

It is very easy to believe in the pervasiveness of evil when we see videos of those in authority physically abusing others, getting away with it and acting as if everything is perfectly fine.  As a result, when we hear evidence of crimes at the highest level, many have become cynical and tend to just shrug it off by saying that the rich and famous always get away with things.  However, as saints of the Most High God, we must make a difference between the clean and the unclean (Ezekiel 44:23).  

The Bible says woe to those who call evil good and good evil (Isaiah 5:20).  In the world system, we often see innocent people punished severely while blatantly guilty persons are able to escape penalties for their misdeeds.  When lying is elevated to an art form, it makes explicit the verse in the Bible that says liars are of their father the devil who was a liar from the beginning (John 8:44).  We get misled when our leaders “gaslight” or according to Wikipedia, engage in “psychological manipulation in which a person or a group covertly sows seeds of doubt in a targeted individual, making them question their own memory, perception, or judgment.”  

The Bible says that we are to come out from among them and be separate (2 Corinthians 6:16, 17). This means that while we will not judge other’s sins, we will not condone them either.  We must strive to live like Christ did, one of selflessness, honesty and obedience.

Let us decide that those who love the Lord must be held to a standard of holiness which is acting like God.  Because we are His children and He lives within us we need to act accordingly (Galatians 2:20). Let us do unto others as we would have them do unto us (Luke 6:31).  Let us pray for those that misuse us (Luke 6:38). As a result, the world will see our good works and glorify God in Heaven (Matthew 5:16). Let us show holiness to a wicked world system.

Ezekiel 44:23
New International Version (NIV)

23 They are to teach my people the difference between the holy and the common and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean.

Isaiah 5:20
New International Version (NIV)

20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.

John 8:44
New International Version (NIV)

44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies

2 Corinthians 6:16, 17
New International Version (NIV)

16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

“I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” 

17 Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”

Galatians 2:20

New International Version (NIV)
20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Luke 6:31
New International Version (NIV)

31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Luke 6:38
New International Version (NIV)

38 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you

Matthew 5:16 

New International Version (NIV)

16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.