Controlling Our Passions: Not As The World: As Christians

Do you not know that the unrighteous

will not inherit the kingdom of God?

Do not be deceived. Neither fornicator,

nor idolaters, nor adulterers,

nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,

nor thieves, nor covetous,

nor drunkards, nor revilers,

nor extortioners will inherit

the kingdom of God.

1Corinthians 6:9–10

            How can these words be twisted? Yet, there are Churches that do just that and allow such as condemned by God, those who will not inherit the kingdom of God to infiltrate the Church at every level. Are not those words plain and clear? Yes! It seems that there are those, who suggest that God’s standards, for Christians are somehow different from God’s standards as for the Hebrews in the Old Testament. That God has two standards, one for the ancient Old Testament Hebrews, and one for New Testament Christians. Those who would oppress the plain teaching of the Bible violate the moral law given to man by God; the Ten Commandments. These Ten Commandments apply to everyone on earth, not just the Jews, nor just Christians; they apply to pagans as well for God demands justice on the earth and to not adhere to His moral laws is to do injustice. There is a defiance of God and His Laws. Many are so caught up in the culture of this world, even those who are attending Church, every Sunday, and do many good works, are still caught up in this immoral culture of this world. They engage in beast like activities as pointed out in the opening Scripture. God demands justice and will not allow those who continue in injustice to inherit His kingdom prepared for those who are the Bride of His Son Jesus Christ. Solomon writing states: “I say, ‘ Keep the king’s commandment for the sake of your oath to God. Do not be hasty to go from his presence. Do not take your stand for an evil thing, for he does whatever pleases him’” (Ecclesiastes 8:2–3). Those words apply to even government. DO NOT STAND FOR AN EVIL THING! Your say: “I don’t stand for evil!” Yet, you tacitly approve of evil. How? By watching movies, TV shows, reading rag tag magazines, and may even allow such unrighteousness to exist in your home or in your Church and say nothing about it or do anything about it. Maybe it is watching MMA as men and even women pound each other bloody, and do not stop hitting there opponent even when that opponent is unable to defend him/herself. How in such thing is the knowledge of God retained and witness too? Paul writes: “”….God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting” (Romans 1:28b). Take for instance a MMA fighter who boasts of his ability and strength, strutting around the ring, standing on the ropes of the ring to show himself, proud and in an evil God dishonoring way. Yet, some Christians will not turn the channel or even turn off the TV. Paul adds: “Being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil–mindedness; they are whisperers (The Greek is whispering in a mean manner) backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful” (Romans 1:29–31). Does this not describe our culture, our world? Yes, and as time has progressed those things that were affecting the Church in Paul’s day have proliferated. It is not that the world does not know God, or that Christians don’t know God; God is known, and His laws are in the soul of every man and has the power of those who are indwelled by the Holy Spirit to know God as do not heathens, and yet there is an abandonment of God. Paul does not mince words: “who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them” (Romans 1:32). This ought to sober a person up: deserving of death, those who practice evil, and those who approve of evil being practiced by the unrighteous.

            It is so easy for Christians to condemn the world as though they are inexcusable. Their judgment comes not from their lives which are at enmity with God as with some who are allowing unrighteousness to continue or worse are practicing such unrighteousness before repenting from their sins and by doing so turn away from sin, now and in the future. No excuse! It is not enough to say that you are a sinner. You Are! You have been save by grace and not of yourself. God requires that we examine ourselves, even before taking of the Lord’s Supper, or Communion. Otherwise, you are just as Paul wrote: “Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you are judge practice the same things” (Romans 2:1).

            The GOOD NEWS! God forgives! God will teach you and lead you from sin into a life whereby you can grow in your faith and sanctification. You can become more and more in the image of our Savior Jesus Christ. Happiness and blessing are for those who do the will of God. May I suggest? Get on your knees before God and pray earnestly to God for you have, if you are engaged in sin, actively, or tacitly, that He will forgive you for sinning against your Holy God. Peace, joy, happiness, all are waiting upon you.

“There are three things to be noticed in the actions of our life. First,

our passions are to be controlled by our reason;

next, we ought to observe a suitable moderation in our desires;

and, lastly, everything ought to be done at the right time and in the proper order.

 All these qualities shone forth so conspicuously in the holy men of Old Testament time,

that it is evident they were well furnished with what men call the cardinal virtues.”

                                                                        Ambrose Chapter 24: Selected Works of Ambrose

Live Today, Everyday: For God and Our Savior

Richard L. Crumb