This Present World: Believers are
IN the world but not OF it.
Link DIRECTLY to topics below
A Fallen World
Citizens of this planet face a dilemma.
Yet, most of us have no awareness of it. This planet is our home and
is all we know. In this world we all face daily challenges, seek
to survive, feed our families and lay a foundation for the generation
that will follow after us. All that we see and know is called "natural"
but there is more to this world than what we see and know.
We humans all share common
challenges of survival and posterity in the natural world. The world
however is more than the natural. There are forces at work beyond what
we can see and measure. There are unseen dimensions in the world extending
into physics and metaphysics. Mysteries of the universe
bridge between the two. There is a point where physical and the spiritual
meet. Cultures have established religions to address matters of the
unseen in order to secure their survival. Priests, priestesses, seers,
soothsayers and shaman gather information and direction from their gods.
Today, most societies have exchanged shaman and holy men for psychologists,
scientific technology and modern medicine.
The ancient gods
find new ways to be worshiped. The gods of Canaan and Sumer have not
departed but continue to find their worshippers through music, dance,
human sacrifice and yes, even religion. We are speaking of spiritual
matters: What we are addressing is spiritual wickedness that rule in
high places. (Ephesians 6:12
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities,
against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in
the heavenly places.)
These entities have their own domains of authority and hierarchies of
power. They share a long term mission to corrupt and destroy the
human race which bears the likeness of God. This reality is at the very
root of human wisdom but is unknown or ignored by most who call themselves
Christian. In the age of quantum physics, CERN and alien disclosure
these matters are gradually finding their way into the light. The world
is coming to the end of the dispensation of the church age. It is characterized
as the time of growing deception. Vast populations are being distracted
and led captive through lack of knowledge, their lives distracted by
the gadgets and narcissim of the pop culture. The popular media is part
of the mission to darken the minds of those who do not choose to seek
the truth. Deception and darkness is its aim and those who speak against
the lies are labeled conspiracy freaks or haters.
Jesus the Messiah advised his disciples
that the day would come that deception would be the
number one thing to be confronted. Surely today, high tech toys, amazing
media, artificial intelligence, cultural diversity, emerging Christianity,
Bible errancy, supernatural signs, alien disclosure and Islam have made
it nearly impossible to know the truth that can make us free.
I will not reject the Word which
is the one reliable source of Truth. The Holy Bible is even now being
contorted and questioned by the theological experts is only known as
truth after our understanding is enhanced by the new born Spirit within.
Here is what the Bible promises
us: God has made a way for us to know Truth: One perfect being, born
of a woman, purchased our deliverance from this fallen world. His name
is Jesus (Yeshua the Messiah). God so loved
the world that he gave his only begotten son, that who ever believes
on him should have eternal life. (John 3:16) Jesus' teaching
brings continual focus upon the matter of our being redeemed from this
fallen world. The price of this redemption was the sacrifice of the
Savior on the cross. His resurrection was proof that he was the very
'Lamb of God' without spot or blemish. Jesus' disciple, John, in the
gospel and epistles, quoted below, brings attention to the matter of
escaping from the world's allure. Love not
the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love
the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (John 2:15)
- - And similarly; (1 John 2:15-17) –
15 - Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If
any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For
all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the
eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does
the will of God abides for ever.
Born
into and held captives in this present world - - a world that has fallen
from perfection
The world can be seen
as a beautiful place. We glimpse the handywork of God's creation displays
the wonders of a Divine Creator. We have seen beautiful vistas of majestic
mountains, the crystal waters of the Greek Isles. The way of nature
is rich with its species of animals, flying creatures, fish, flowers,
trees, and plants. Nature at its best is filled with breath-taking wonders.
Artists fill our calendars with scenic vistas featuring natural wonders.
We all have known moments of inspiration that moves us to wonder. Artists
and poets are inspired to create memorable works. In human relationships
there is also the experience of love and tender affection in romance
and family life. The human touch of caring makes a difficult life bearable.
Humanity has a capacity for caring and kindness that touches the heart
with tenderness and affection. Alas, sadly, there is also the fallen
nature, the dark side of human nature that finds expression in hatred,
violence, deceit, cruelty and deadly evil.
It is in the human population
of this planet that the attributes of fallen humanity are expressed
in limitations, struggles and strife. The whole
of creation is said to be groaning (Romans 8:22) fervently
desiring to be restored to its original perfection. Humans beings, those
not yet redeemed, are held captive within the world's spiritual
control. They remain seemingly unaware of the limitations
they face from birth to their departure. Unknown to most are powerful
influences exerted over human bodies, minds, and spirits by the adversary
of humanity. Our feelings, thinking and understanding remain under the
domain of the deceiver until the day that we see with new eyes and know
with God's Spiritual understanding. We are born into the world as natural
human persons limited by the things we can only experience with the
natural senses. We as natural humanity are reared in the world with
natural limitations. Some are born stronger, some weaker; some taller,
some shorter; some fair to look at, others not so much. Our inherited
DNA seems to define who we are and what we can be. Our educators teach
us what to believe about the realities of the natural world. "The
Cosmos is all there is and all there will ever be," declared
by the aetheist physicist, Carl Sagan. "Our unredeemed natures
are easily led to express Satan’s nature.
Expressions
of the fallen human nature
Galatians 5:19 to 21
expresses it this way “Now the works
of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness,
lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts
of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness,
revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also
told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not
inherit the kingdom of God." Ephesians 2:1-3 speaking
of those who are redeemed, brings additional clarity: Ephesians 2:1
“.. you He made alive, who were dead
in trespasses and sins, (2) in which you once walked according to the
course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air,
the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, (3) among whom
also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling
the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children
of wrath, just as the others." The Bible teaches that
mankind’s worst behavior will be manifest at the end of the age
2 Timothy 3: 1- But know this, that in the
last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves,
lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents,
unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control,
brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of
pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but
denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort
are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women
loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning
and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."
The question may be asked, are
we there yet? How much further can godlessness descend? Rather than
evolving to a higher more sublime, caring and perfected-human world,
we will see it decline in goodness, moral character and godliness. Jesus
said that it would as in the days of Noah, where all the thoughts and
intentions of the people were only evil (Matthew
24:37; Luke 17:26) and it will again be as Sodom which was
destroyed in God’s judgment.
The populations of this planet have
developed various forms of social order.
Societies come into being
following certain individuals who demonstrate their ability to influence
and lead. They show special strength or wisdom and the ability to inspire
others to follow. Throughout history, there has arisen strong leaders
who ruled by tyrannical force. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. These
despots with their favored supporters, subjected the population with
oppression and servitude. This kind of government has always been with
us throughout history.
Directives
of the god of this world & its lesser gods
Primitive tribalism as
well as great empires all have developed their own religions. They discover
spiritually that there are supernatural beings and submit to worship
them as their own gods who are provided places of worship. From these
so called 'sacred' these gods direct and influence the people
through priests or shamans. It is said that the Hindus actually have
millions of deities and these have rites to afford them honor or seek
favor. Looking to the ancient middle east, the Bible describes various
Canaanite tribes and their religions. The
pagan religions required rituals and rites, along with blood sacrifices.
Demonic religions require blood sacrifices. There were priests and priestesses
as well as prophetic spokespersons. The Bible recounts how Elijah the
prophet confronted the priests of Baal. It was a showdown of supernatural
power, JHVH (Adonai) against the prophets of Baal testing who was the
greater. (1 Kings 18:22-25) The
gods of these pagan religions are demons, though their worshipers call
them 'gods' and so it remains, even now. Through shamanistic ceremonies
and sacrificial offerings supernatural results are expected to occur.
The One, True God has always demonstrated supremacy over the many demon
gods that populate the heavens and the earth.
Accounts
of the Angels Who Left Their Natural State
The Bible chronicles
the invasion of the "watchers," fallen angels (nephelim
- the fallen ones) who despoiled the human genome in pre
flood times. The angels of Genesis chapter six invaded the manifested
world to interbreed with human females. They were punished by the Almighty
for this 'illegal' invasion. The deities of "mythology" honored
by the civilizations of prehistory (Think of the Greek, Roman or Norse
gods.) were in reality actual entities who came from the admixture of
the seed of angelic beings and human women. The god of this world, Lucifer,
expelled from his place in heaven, has had a single purpose for authorizing
this invasion, that was to defeat God's intent of bringing forth a Messiah,
a redeemer born of a woman, to restore the world to its pre-edenic-fall
status. (See Genesis 3:15) The woman, in
order to give birth to a true "Son of Man," had to possess
pure human DNA not mixed and corrupted DNA from outside Adam's geneology.
John Chapter 10 vs. 1-2, also addresses this matter this way; "Most
assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the
door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep."
Jesus acknowledges that the door is to be born as a human from a
woman.
Satan is and has been
behind the scene from the earliest epochs trying to usurp the ruler-ship
of this planet and he continues to use all the strategies at his disposal
to achieve this. It continues as the divine conflict; who will be the
final ruler of this world! The revelatory prayer of John Chapter 17
17; 6
“I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me
out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have
kept Your word. 17;9“I pray for them. I do not pray for the world
but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. 10 And all
Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 Now
I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come
to You. 17;14 I have given
them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of
the world, just as I am not of the world. Saved out of this world John
17 20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will
believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You,
Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that
the world may believe that You sent Me. 25 “O righteous Father!
The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known
that You sent Me.
Blinded
by the world
John 15:19 If you were of the world,
the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world,
but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses,
know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever
therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."
Paul writes these sad words that describe his losing a former disciple;
2 Timothy 4:10 " - - Demas has
forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica."
The TV screen showcases
the rich and famous causing the simple masses to dream of fame and wealth.
Famous athletes, chefs, economists, broadcasters and scientists are
paraded before us. They clearly represent those who have 'made it.'
Celebrities become our "Idols." Those who have made it, lord
it over those who would try their hand at becoming another celebrity
idol. Prevailing standards for beauty are met by the select few who
have become trend setters in looks and fashion. People valued as beautiful
by a loving God, fall into despair when they do not meet the pattern
of sophistication and beauty modeled by the few. There are no average
people in God's eyes and are all candidates for eternal life once they
believe. Who was it that taught us that marking the skin was attractive
and piercing the flesh was stylish? Only the adversary would cause beautiful
unblemished persons to defile themselves with images of ownership by
demon masters. Who is it that causes it to acceptible or creative to
lift up violent or perverse behavior as valid forms of music or entertainment?
Who would have been the author of the idea that marriages of men to
men or women to women would be natural and acceptable? Who has taught
us to idolize murderers and anarchists who do not respect law or property?
These messages are very familiar to us in the media of today. The author
of such messages and images are nevertheless demonic. Twisted laws are
being put into place to silence dissent and chastize any who say contrary.
Christ
experiences three points of temptation in the wilderness
1.) The need to satisfy the needs of the flesh (hunger)
2.)Tempted to demonstrate that he was truly God's Son (angels to rescue
supernaturally)
3.) The temptation of fame, pride and glory
(turn his worship to Satan and receive power to rule nations)
Luke 4;5 (NKJV) "- -Then the devil,
taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the
world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, (Jesus) “All
this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered
to me, (when Adam lost his authority over the earth) and I give it to
whomever I wish. 7 Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will
be Yours.” The temptation for Satan to promise fame
and glory in exchange for his worship, continues in the present. Famous
celebrities attest to the fact that they made a pact with the devil
for the promise of fame and riches. Since Jesus' resurrection, the God
of this World is no longer in full possession of the world. But he still
is in the world, deceiving and destroying. While he is in the world
he continues to exercise his mandate *to kill,
steal and destroy until his earth lease is up; a time yet
to come, but very near. Lucifer meets his fate at the end of this age.
The deceiver will be removed by the sovereign power of the Almighty.
The god of this world hates the human race as they are created in the
image of God. He is a murderer. He tempts individuals today with supernatural
fame, favor and ability. He promises them fame and riches if they will
worship him. This continues for a brief season, then they must pay the
terrible dues and those dues are eternal damnation. Countless individuals
have asked Satan to make them rich and famous and this is holds true
of the famed celebrities who we see in the media each and every day.
The unseen hierarchy of the wealthy and powerful are entirely in league
with Satan and actively give worship to the dark rulers of this age.
Many who are told these things will shake their heads in total disbelief.
They deny even the existence of the devil or any demon. Sadly, those
making such a comment are most likely to be held in total captivity,
blinded by the rulers of this fallen world and live there in ignorance.
The enemy’s mode of operation is always lying and deception. *
John 10;10 - - "The thief does not come
except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they
may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly
(NKJV)
My
kingdom is not of this world
Attributes of the fallen world contrasted with the perfect world
(Graphic illustration)
John Chapter 18 vs. 36 Jesus
answered, “My kingdom is not of this
world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so
that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not
from here.”
The Spirit of Truth,
The World can not receive.
John Chapter 14: Vs. "- - 16 And
I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, (helper)
that he may be with you for ever, 17 even the Spirit of truth: whom
the world cannot receive; for it neither sees him or knows him: but
ye know him; for he abides with you, and shall be in you."
Materialism: Living for things.
There are things which are 'wants' and things that are 'needs.' It seems
that today our wants are inexhaustible. Thanks to a never ending barrage
of advertising to drive us toward our next purchase. We often are competing
with our neighbor for 'stuff.' There is the idea whoever dies with the
most stuff wins the game. That is a seriously misguided view.
Look at Me! Aren’t I Special!
We are self oriented, self centered, our mottoes are look at
me! Aren’t I amazing, aren’t I glamorous, aren’t I
worthy of admiration and praise! All the while we forget that these
matters can be entirely out of our hands and a gift from God. Are we
born strong and handsome or not so much? It isn’t the package
that makes a difference to God but what we have inside the package.
The youth of this age are so much into themselves that they have a 'selfie'
mentality requiring continuous reinforcement by their social media in
crowd. Superficiality is the hallmark of a generation today. Marriages
are not long lasting since the reason for seeking a mate is usually
to have them support or fulfill the partner. Long term commitments are
uncomfortable in this time of renew or replace.
How many murders does a TV watcher
experience?
Suicide is a worthy choice
in the eyes of the adversary, Satan. What an excellent way to escape
the trials of life. He wants us dead and the sooner the better when
it comes to sending another human being into a hopeless hell. Those
who enter, abandon all hope. Dante passes through the gate of Hell,
which bears an inscription ending with the famous phrase "Lasciate
ogne speranza, voi ch'intrate", most frequently translated as "Abandon
all hope, ye who enter here." The Murderous media has an
endless parade of movies and television series in which death and murder
is the centerpiece of every episode. As the bodies pile up by the hundreds
there is no thought of, nor any consideration of the next phase of a
human life. Judgment and hell does not figure in the scenario.
The
Spirit of Truth in the Believer, Anecdotal
Shortly after I became
a believer I received the Holy Spirit (The Spirit of Truth). It was
this phase of becoming a believer that clearly began to separate me
from the thoughts and motivations of my past years. I was moved toward
certain new goals and objectives. These Spiritual
changes were innate, instinctual. *One was to immerse myself
in God’s Word, the Bible; (2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to show
yourself approved by God, a workman who rightly divides the Word) Another
inner leaning was to seek the fellowship of others who had also passed
from death to life, fellow believers; the last was to worship and give
honor to the Savior of my soul which in effect is the nature of prayer.
After the first several
months of intimacy with God, which I call my back of the desert days,
I began to experience
being "in the world but not of it."
It was clearly a supernatural phenomena. The activities that went on
around me in everyday life were seen as if I was separated from outside
of these activities as one viewing, isolated, through a glass window.
Mere words fail to describe this. One passage describes it this way:
Hebrews 11:13-16 Speaking of those who lived and died in faith;
13 These all died in faith, not having received
the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced
them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland.
15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they
had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now
they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is
not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them."
Delivered
from the fallen world
The most striking example of experiencing the Spirit of Truth
was the manifestation of the Spirit of life or death in the programs
of churches. There was a tangible sense of sterility or spiritual deadness
in almost every church, particularly the mainline denominations presided
over by priests or clergy. The so called worship programs were dry and
lifeless without anointing or the energizing life of the Holy Spirit.
The Spirit of Truth provided the stamp of validation upon materials
read or music I heard performed or sung. A sense of lifelessness pervaded
almost all music even the sentimental, and sweeter music of the past.
Bible commentaries exuded the sterility of ego and unbelief. It was
evident these were conceived without knowledge of the eternal God-perspective.
Anointing is flowing with a connection to the divine source of
inspiration, the Amen of God, the authorship of God. Finding Spiritual
anointing is nearly impossible in modern church house experience today.
This includes the majority of charismatic churches. The anointing
is more likely to be experienced in the sharing of two or more believers
in conversation. Galatians 6:14 "But
as for me, God forbid that I should boast about anything except for
the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The world has been crucified to
me through him, and I have been crucified to the world."
This is the out working of the Holy Spirit in the life of every believer.
Charles Pinkney June 1, 2018
A simple declaration
(Speak
this as a prayer of Believing and Salvation.)
Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God.
Jesus, I know that you died for even the worst of sins that I have committed.
Your blood paid the price for my redemption and for all of fallen humanity.
Lord, I believe your Resurrection Power will remake me into a Brand
New Creation!
Jesus, Thank you for loving me and giving me Eternal Life.
My Personal Testimony
10-2023
