An Important Consideration
When one knows of responsible behavior and essential expectations in society, the negligence and defiance towards it needs to be understood as unacceptable. It is true also in matters concerning God. Society may not allow certain behavior, and God will also judge certain behavior. In the world one may or may not suffer penalties for failure, but before God one will either forfeit blessings or face severe consequences in the end. A nice thing about our God is mercy and grace, that provides our blessed hope that sincere repentance before Him and faith in Him will bring forgiveness. One should not presume that God will simply ignore or overlook sin. We are not speaking here of innocence in not knowing, being simple, naive, etc., but our willful and careless opposition to God.
Considering God's calling to salvation, spirituality, and church truth, there seems to also be at least three major things we should contemplate as to our response to Him: obedience, negligence, rejection. From childhood we need to learn that in this world and also before our Creator there are essential expectations, and irresponsible behavior will not be tolerated long. We only deceive ourselves in thinking we are a free agent, for we are either in bondage to Satan or of the Holy Spirit as a child of God. We are never a free agent ---only Adam and Eve were such, and with all their privilege and knowledge of God they could not manage freedom, and they failed to hold to God. It became apparent that all outside of God is disorder, darkness, ruin, and sin. One ought to be clear about that.
Obedience is what the Word of God gives us as the intent of our Creator ---conformity to His purposes and His desires; and He knows all things and what is best. Negligence is carelessness, preoccupation, indifference, failure, etc. according to the dictionary; and Rejection is opposition and usually rebellion. Both of these two are disobedience to God. How do we want to stand before the throne of God ---obedient or disobedient? On this question hinges our Spiritual life.
One might suppose there is another option called cooperation and compromise, but I don't think so. I don't think one can even find the words in a legitimate Bible. It is not the mind of our Creator ---the almighty God. He speaks of obedience and conformity to His ways and thoughts (see Isa. 55:8-9). It is not our cooperation and hope for some compromise to do well, rather our unconditional surrender and yielding to God that He expects. We have a God of love, but who is also a just God, righteous, and holy.
In Salvation it is about our learning the urgent need for our sinful soul and accepting God's remedy before we die (see John 3:16; John 14:6; Rom.3:10-12; 1 Jn 5: 10-13; etc.). That speaks of obedience and not negotiations. If one is so proud and self-confident, that they cannot confess their sin before a holy God and need of the Savior, then they will have no part in God and will be condemned for all eternity. One might see all the ruin and failure in the world and lament conditions around us, but that simply tells us of the inevitable slide downward of mankind. Salvation is a personal thing and no one but Christ can save our soul. This does not speak of religious works and ways, but receiving God's Son into our hearts in the secret of our "closet" (Matt. 6:6).
Concerning Spirituality one needs to know that they don't have it outside of Christ; and if they have received the Lord Jesus Christ and are trusting Him, they must then be devoted to Him and in worship, to grow in spirituality and please and obey Him and His Father (see Rom. 8:5-8; Gal. 2:20; Phil. 1:21). If one is seeking friendship with the world and striving to improve the world and it's ways, they dishonor the Lord, for the world is already condemned according to the Word of God (2 Cor. 6:14-18; James 4:1-4; 1 John 2:15-17; 1 John 5:18-20; etc.). Surely we can seek to be a good example to all, but should not join in to the worldly ways.
Then Church truth is the third essential aspect of the Christian life, and is all about obedience and honor to the Lord by a believer before the world and the heavenly host. Again, it is not about religion and following some rules and creeds. It speaks of our personal walk and following the Word (see John.17:17; Phil. 2:2; Titus 1:9; 3 Jn. 3-4); including baptism, the gathering of saints, the collective testimony, esteeming holy Scripture, love and our demeanor; and the Lord's glory and honor, etc.
If one chooses to follow his or her own ideas, interests, and ways (even religious ways), they need to know it is not really their own, but is truly the mind of Satan and is quite pleasing to him. They cannot follow that way with impunity. - RLD.
RESPONSIBLE RESPONSES
Commentary By R. DeWitt, 10/09
Commentary By R. DeWitt, 10/09
When one knows of responsible behavior and essential expectations in society, the negligence and defiance towards it needs to be understood as unacceptable. It is true also in matters concerning God. Society may not allow certain behavior, and God will also judge certain behavior. In the world one may or may not suffer penalties for failure, but before God one will either forfeit blessings or face severe consequences in the end. A nice thing about our God is mercy and grace, that provides our blessed hope that sincere repentance before Him and faith in Him will bring forgiveness. One should not presume that God will simply ignore or overlook sin. We are not speaking here of innocence in not knowing, being simple, naive, etc., but our willful and careless opposition to God.
Considering God's calling to salvation, spirituality, and church truth, there seems to also be at least three major things we should contemplate as to our response to Him: obedience, negligence, rejection. From childhood we need to learn that in this world and also before our Creator there are essential expectations, and irresponsible behavior will not be tolerated long. We only deceive ourselves in thinking we are a free agent, for we are either in bondage to Satan or of the Holy Spirit as a child of God. We are never a free agent ---only Adam and Eve were such, and with all their privilege and knowledge of God they could not manage freedom, and they failed to hold to God. It became apparent that all outside of God is disorder, darkness, ruin, and sin. One ought to be clear about that.
Obedience is what the Word of God gives us as the intent of our Creator ---conformity to His purposes and His desires; and He knows all things and what is best. Negligence is carelessness, preoccupation, indifference, failure, etc. according to the dictionary; and Rejection is opposition and usually rebellion. Both of these two are disobedience to God. How do we want to stand before the throne of God ---obedient or disobedient? On this question hinges our Spiritual life.
One might suppose there is another option called cooperation and compromise, but I don't think so. I don't think one can even find the words in a legitimate Bible. It is not the mind of our Creator ---the almighty God. He speaks of obedience and conformity to His ways and thoughts (see Isa. 55:8-9). It is not our cooperation and hope for some compromise to do well, rather our unconditional surrender and yielding to God that He expects. We have a God of love, but who is also a just God, righteous, and holy.
In Salvation it is about our learning the urgent need for our sinful soul and accepting God's remedy before we die (see John 3:16; John 14:6; Rom.3:10-12; 1 Jn 5: 10-13; etc.). That speaks of obedience and not negotiations. If one is so proud and self-confident, that they cannot confess their sin before a holy God and need of the Savior, then they will have no part in God and will be condemned for all eternity. One might see all the ruin and failure in the world and lament conditions around us, but that simply tells us of the inevitable slide downward of mankind. Salvation is a personal thing and no one but Christ can save our soul. This does not speak of religious works and ways, but receiving God's Son into our hearts in the secret of our "closet" (Matt. 6:6).
Concerning Spirituality one needs to know that they don't have it outside of Christ; and if they have received the Lord Jesus Christ and are trusting Him, they must then be devoted to Him and in worship, to grow in spirituality and please and obey Him and His Father (see Rom. 8:5-8; Gal. 2:20; Phil. 1:21). If one is seeking friendship with the world and striving to improve the world and it's ways, they dishonor the Lord, for the world is already condemned according to the Word of God (2 Cor. 6:14-18; James 4:1-4; 1 John 2:15-17; 1 John 5:18-20; etc.). Surely we can seek to be a good example to all, but should not join in to the worldly ways.
Then Church truth is the third essential aspect of the Christian life, and is all about obedience and honor to the Lord by a believer before the world and the heavenly host. Again, it is not about religion and following some rules and creeds. It speaks of our personal walk and following the Word (see John.17:17; Phil. 2:2; Titus 1:9; 3 Jn. 3-4); including baptism, the gathering of saints, the collective testimony, esteeming holy Scripture, love and our demeanor; and the Lord's glory and honor, etc.
If one chooses to follow his or her own ideas, interests, and ways (even religious ways), they need to know it is not really their own, but is truly the mind of Satan and is quite pleasing to him. They cannot follow that way with impunity. - RLD.
