Changed by His Love
1 John 4:5: They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them.
False teachers do get a following. The occult and the cults are growing much faster today than is Christianity. They have the advantage of appealing to the flesh which we do not. I think it is tragic to have Christians using fleshly means to draw in a crowd. We need to be very careful of the methods which we use.
If they are fleshly methods, God cannot bless them at all. We need to be sure that the Word of God is being given out. I do not care whether several thousand people come to your church—that is not the important thing. I am interested in the message. Is the Word of God being given out? Is it given out in the power of the Spirit so that the Spirit of God can take it and use it? The message should not be a great deal of pious promotion for some sentimental appeal that causes you to give. The question is: Is the Word of God going out from your church. 1
Loving Him
If the Word of God is being given out by your pastor, then rejoice and pray for him; and quit complaining about the incidental things. Thank God that your pastor is a shepherd and not a false prophet or hireling. Thank God that your fellowship is pursuing the Kingdom of God and not the kingdoms of this world.
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. John 15:19
Loving Others
The ways of the world will always lead you down a one way street in the wrong direction.
Make Me Like You
Lord, thank You for creating this beautiful world for me to enjoy, and thank You for delivering me from all the worldliness that has stained Your creation.
1. McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: The Epistles (1 John) (electronic ed., Vol. 56, p. 117). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
