This Present World: Believers are
IN the world but not OF it.
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A Fallen World
Citizens of this planet face a dilemma.
Yet, most of us have no awareness of it. This world is home. The natural
world is all we know. Every person faces a life of challenges. For thousands
of years every tribe and nation has sought to survive, feed their families
and lay a foundation for the generation that will follow after them.
People throughout history have discovered
that they are caught in the day-to-day struggle to survive. They must
deal with elemental and spiritual forces that impact their lives. Societies
have established religions to address matters which enhance their survival.
Priests, priestesses, seers, soothsayers and shaman seek information
and direction from their gods. Modern societies have set aside shaman
and holy men for psychologists, science, technology and modern medicine.
Now the gods of ancient days find new ways to be worshiped. They find
their adherents through music, dance and yes, human sacrifice.
We are speaking of spiritual matters:
What we are addressing is spiritual wickedness that rule in high places.
These entities have their own hierarchies of power and share a long
term mission, to corrupt or destroy the human race which bears the likeness
of God. In short, what I posit here is that the world remains under
the rule of our adversary.
But God has made a way for us. One
perfect being, born of a woman, purchased our deliverance from this
fallen world. His name is Jesus (Yeshua ha Mashiac). 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 a continual focus on 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 the vindication 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 fallen world that is
under "a curse"
The world can be seen as a beautiful
place. The handy work of God's creation displays the wonders of a Divine
Creator. We have seen the most beautiful vistas of majestic mountains,
or the brilliant 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.
To be sure, there is beauty to be found in this world. Artists fill
our calendars with scenic vistas featuring natural wonders of the world.
Yes, we all know there is beauty to be admired in the world. We all
have known moments of inspiration that moves us to wonder. Artists and
poets are inspired to create sublime works. There is also the experience
of love and tender affection in families and in relationships. The human
touch of caring makes a difficult life worth living. Humanity at their
most gentle and caring best expresses to one another kindness that touches
the heart with tenderness and affection. Alas, sadly, there is also
a dark side of human nature that finds expression in hatred, violence,
deceit, cruelty and deadly evil.
Nevertheless, it is the human population
of this planet in which the attributes of fallen humanity are expressed
in all of its 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
environment. They remain seemingly unaware of the limitations
they face from birth to their departure. Unknown to most of us there
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 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 when certain
individuals 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 is and has always been with us throughout history.
Following
the directives of the god of this world & its lesser gods
From primitive tribalism to great
empires all have developed their own religions. They discover supernatural
beings to whom to submit and worship as their own gods. These deities
are provided places of worship. From these “sacred” places they direct
and influence the people through priests or shamans. It is said that
the Hindus actually have millions of deities and these have their own
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. There were priests and
priestesses as well as prophetic spokespersons. We recall how Elijah
the prophet confronted the priests of Baal. It was a showdown of power,
JHVH (Adonai) against the prophets of Baal to test who was the greater.
(1 Kings 18:22-25) The gods of these
pagan religions are demons, though their worshipers call them ‘gods.’
So it remains, even now. Through shamanistic ceremonies and sacrificial
offerings supernatural results are expected to occur. The One, True
God has always demonstrated triumph over the 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) to despoil the human genome 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,
the result of this admixture of the seed of angelic beings and human
women. The god of this world, Lucifer, 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 depicts the rich and
famous causing the simple masses to dream of fame and power. 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 are
so bold as to try their hand to become another celebrity idol. The prevailing
standards for beauty are met by the select few who have become trend
setters in looks and fashion. People valued as beautiful persons 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 without respect for law or property? These
messages familiar to us in the media of today, are the fruit of demonic
influence and the world receiving this message is oblivious that darkness
has entered in.
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 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. All the activities which went on about
me in everyday life was seen as if I was separated from these activities
as one viewing the world through outside eyes. 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
Other Study Topics for Understanding
additional
Biblical themes
11-2023
