Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered
for us in the flesh, arm yourselves
likewise with the same mind; for he
that suffered in the flesh hath ceased
from sin; tht he no longer should live
the rest of his time in the flesh to the
lusts of men, but to the will of God.
For the time past or our life may suffice
us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles,
when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts,
excess of wine, revellings, banquetings,
and abominable idolatries: wherein they
think it strange that ye run not with them to
the same excess of riot, speaking evil of
you: who shall give account to to Him
that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.
For for this cause was the gospel preached
also to them that are dead, that they might
be judged according to men in the flesh,
but live according to God in the spirit.
1Peter 4:12-6
Suffering, this problem that we all strive to avoid but find that we cannot so we seek other means to salve our hurts and the suffering that we hate. Some people turn to drugs, illegal drugs if necessary or even to abuse prescribed by a doctor drugs designed to help. Some become alcoholics, and others become fornicators and adulterers. Some sufferings are the result of our own inefficiency and caused by us and others are the result of those who bring upon us suffering: i.e., wars, riots such as happened in Ferguson when some looted and caused fires and harmed others because of something that they feel the need to do even if they are doing what is wrong. People do things according to the flesh and not according to the will of God. When a person does not involved themselves with those who are seeking means to avoid suffering they are considered strange and are often disliked as evil desires evil to participate with them so that they feel warranted to be evil. What they do not know is that they are being judged by God who will call them into account for all that they have done and said so that no matter how much salve they place upon themselves they will be found guilty or if an Authentic Christian will be found not guilty.
This word, "lascivious" is a word not used often and most not used in everyday language but it must be understood for it means to be inclined to lustfulness, to be wanton, another word not used often that means to be malicious or unjustifiable, to be deliberate and without motive, extravagant and this is what is lasciviousness which is to be lustful in sexual interest, to be unrestrained, to be libertine by going beyond law or general morality, to be immoral. God has sent into the world the Gospel so man is not with some excuse that they do not know unless they have not been preached to and this is what Jesus commanded His bride to do: take the Gospel to all the world. But, too many people who call themselves Christian are too busy attempting to be "well-off" and to be very cultural avoiding the sneers and sufferings they may have to face if they really did what Jesus commanded them: do they think that they will not give an account on the day of judgment? Jesus suffered so why would a "Christian" think that they will not suffer? We who call ourselves "Christian" must live by the will of God and not according to our own desires.
Jesus spoke these words: "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33). This is not "Prosperity Gospel" for that which will be added unto you is eternity with God and this is only going to happen if you seek the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Therefore we shun those things that Peter is outlining for us that we are to avoid. We as Authentic Christians are to take no thought for our life: "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof" (Matthew 6:34).
We, as Authentic Christians do not sit back and allow God to do what we can do but we do what we can using the will of God and His will is outlined for us in Scripture that He inspired men to write so that we have no excuse to not follow His words. There is discipline involved in the life of and Authentic Christian and that discipline is to allow the Holy Spirit to bring us into harmony with the teaching of Jesus Christ. You are not blessed because you take thought of nothing for that is foolish and that man is a fool. If you develop your relationship to God then the dominating factor in your life is to not allow this world and its culture to become the factor in your life as to what you will receive from this world, you are not to be careless about earthly affairs for God will hold you responsible. What is being said by Jesus is that your first care is to your relationship with God and everything else second.
Will you be foolish to the world and place the dominating factor for your life to be concentrated upon God and your relationship to Him? This question can only be answered by you.
And you, son of man, do not be afraid
of them or their words. Do not be
afraid, though brier4s and thorns are
all around you and you live among
scorpions. Do not be afraid of what
they say or terrified by them, though
they are a rebellious house. You must
speak my words to them, whether
they listen or fail to listen, for they
are rebellious.
Ezekiel 2:6-7
How is your relationship to God?
Richard L. Crumb
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