AVOIDING SEDUCTION

Deception in our society today is widespread as we see daily. From workers knocking on doors to offer services and repairs, the scams spread on the internet and even letters in the mail, and on the phone. Sadly even some as preachers on TV promising if you give (plant a seed) to my organization then God will reward you a hundred times of what you give, etc. The scams today are widespread and various. This is what the apostle john is writing concerning those who seduce and how to avoid being a victim of their lies. Christians have received an anointing, the Holy Spirit living within us to teach us. We don’t just have to rely on another teacher no matter how good it sounds, counterfeits are always close to the real. We each have the Holy Spirit to confirm in our hearts the truth of what is being taught. It’s important to have nothing blocking our fellowship with God, nothing between us and our savior, attitudes, un-forgiveness, etc. God has given many the gift of teaching to help us each mature in our knowledge and walk with Christ. The Holy Spirit can and will reveal what is being taught is truth or false, if we keep our heart open and clean. John also challenges each of us to abide in Christ, that is to keep our relationship, fellowship with Him open to have nothing between. Any sin attitudes, desire or actions we hold to block our relationship with him. Psalm 66:18 “If I regard iniquity in my heart the Lord will not hear me.” The goal set before us is not to be ashamed when we meet Christ face to face either by death or at His return. 26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. ”27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. 28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. 29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. 1 John 2:26-29. The evidence of ones’ relationship with Christ is presented by their lifestyle, how one lives daily, priorities etc, be very sure of your standing before Christ, I truly believe the time of opportunity is very short. Today is the day of salvation. Now is the only time we have that we can be sure of not even the next minute.
Hymn Nothing Between
o Nothing between my soul and my Savior,
Naught of this world’s delusive dream;
I have renounced all sinful pleasure;
Jesus is mine, there’s nothing between.
o Refrain:
Nothing between my soul and my Savior,
So that His blessed face may be seen;
Nothing preventing the least of His favor;
Keep the way clear! Let nothing between.
2. Nothing between, like worldly pleasure;
Habits of life, though harmless they seem,
Must not my heart from Him ever sever;
He is my all, there’s nothing between.
3. Nothing between, like pride or station;
Self or friends shall not intervene;
Though it may cost me much tribulation,
I am resolved, there’s nothing between.
4. Nothing between, e’en many hard trials,
Though the whole world against me convene;
Watching with prayer and much self-denial,
I’ll triumph at last, there’s nothing between.

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Molding of our lives

Begins with our desire for God to do what is needed for us, that our lives may be pleasing to Him.  We need to pray for knowing, understanding and obeying the Bible. It’s not just what is clearly commanded but going the extra mile to show our willingness to have lives pleasing to Him. Keeping our focus on the eternal future, that’s hard for us to do, daily we easily get side tracked with the current day by day task. We need a heart that breaks when we see His will being missed and ignored in ourselves and others. Some may hold us in contempt and rebuke us for taking a stand on the Word of God and against the current culture, both of believers and unbelieves. May His Word the bible be our delight and counsellors in daily living. “17 Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. 19 I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me. 20 My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times. 21 Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments. 22 Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.23 Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.24 Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counselors”. Meditate on the Word daily to draw closer to Him to be more like Him, remember what it cost Him to pay our penalty for sin.

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