Too much of the world ...

[OneLight]

For some time, I have noticed that more then not, threads are all about the world and its affairs. I really don't see much in the way of salvation these days nor do I see solid bible discussion. What I have noticed are debates with nonbelievers, but for some reason, we are not reaching them. Are they more prepared to defend their ways then we are ours? I am guilty of not being as prepared as I should be as a child of God. For this reason, I would like to encourage us all to get back to His reason why we are here, and that is to bring the Gospel to the world, not the world to the Christians.

Brother Ovedya wrote a message to us in 2004 that needs to be read again. As I read this again, it seems more prevalent today then it did in 2004. Please, consider his words carefully.

Set your mind on the things above.

One of the biggest challenges facing Christians today is the focus and involvement in the things on the earth. Many things seek to occupy a believer

[Trusting Jesus]

Thank you for posting that, OneLight. There is so much in this world pulling Christians away from God's word, and we need to get back to simple Bible truth. Yes, we must prepare ourselves to defend our faith. In the secular world, and sadly in the Christian community as well, the Bible is being attacked. A preacher I listen to often says that the only way to really recognize a fake dollar bill is to really, truly know what a real one looks like. So it is with our Bibles and Christian faith. We need to study God's word and truly know what He says, then we can recognize false teachings and defend our faith.

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Nathele

[Shiloh62]

I agree OneLight. Oftentimes we get so busy caught up in debating the non-believers, that we forget to defend our faith,and more importantly, share our faith.

[Guest yod]

My situation is like a lot of people here...and yet unlike most who are christians. I'm always involved in ministry type "stuff" so coming here to talk about other things is my only release from the religious world. This discussion board is the only hobby I can sustain regularly. How sad is that?

But when I look at the topics that engage me the most, it is usually some worldly subject as it relates to righteousness of the Lord. Like politics. Apart from ithat subject usually being about somebody's selfish ambition, political leaders and situations are what most of the Tenach (Old Testament) stories are about, it seems. One wicked king fighting another.....etc.

I like to say that I stumble into more blessing by being totally oblivious than most people could ever plan for. I'm not afraid of being in worldly places because where else would the worldly be? How would I find them if I'm always doing the "spiritual" thing? If they came to church, would we even have time for an honest conversation there?

I find that most of my worldly friends are willing to open up with time. If I don't force the "religious" issue they will talk when they are ready because I'm the only "religious" person they know. When disasters strike, they don't call their drinking buddies.

So I stopped compartmentalizing secular and sacred a long time ago. There is only "how should I provoke or respond?" wherever I am. My job is to try and be as faithful as possible no matter the situation or place.

It may even look worldly to someone else. I don't care. There is only one human I have to please (my wife) and that seems to please my King.

[OneLight]

Yes, it is when we enter the world that we find the world. My concern, and that of what I get from our brothers writing, is that we focus too much on the world and not on Christ in these times. When discussing these issues, are we bring the glory back to Christ or are we just discussing the good and bad of the subject matter? How do these issues affect our walk with God? How are our words leading others to Christ so they may see Him in the mist of trouble? Are we finding ourselves worrying about the headlines, trying to figure out how they can be changed, or are we alerted to them and try to bring Christ to it's center as the only real answer?

I agree that we can not be so heavenly minded that we are no earthly good. Yet, I worry that we are becoming to earthly minded to be any heavenly good. As in all things, there is a balance which needs to be found. If we take the time to investigate where the subject being discussed is leading, we will be able to find that balance. But, it we just barge into them and not keep Him as the center, we will have no balanced.

[Guest yod]

And you are absolutely right...

I'm just offering a perspective for those who avoid religious topics in the forum. They are even more contentious than the worldly topics quite often.

[Guest shiloh357]

For some time, I have noticed that more then not, threads are all about the world and its affairs. I really don't see much in the way of salvation these days nor do I see solid bible discussion. What I have noticed are debates with nonbelievers, but for some reason, we are not reaching them. Are they more prepared to defend their ways then we are ours? I am guilty of not being as prepared as I should be as a child of God. For this reason, I would like to encourage us all to get back to His reason why we are here, and that is to bring the Gospel to the world, not the world to the Christians.

Engaging nonbelievers and challenging their misconceptions about God, the Bible and Christianity is part of sharing the gospel. Part of the problem we have is that there are many misunderstandings that exist and quite often, they never get satisfactorily addressed. Part of that involves addressing the worldy issues and concerns that are part and parcel of those misunderstandings.

I don't see how challenging and bringing more understanding of our faith to unbelievers qualifies as being worldly.

[Guest yod]

The only time I have a problem with anger (which is what I think you are referring to as "wordly") is when I'm:

1. very tired and posting after midnight

2. very busy and don't have time to be patient.

3. dealing with a bigot or liar

4. take offense whether it was intended or not

Here is the answer:

1 Corinthians 13

1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

[traveller]

The only time I have a problem with anger (which is what I think you are referring to as "wordly") is when I'm:

1. very tired and posting after midnight

2. very busy and don't have time to be patient.

3. dealing with a bigot or liar

4. take offense whether it was intended or not

Here is the answer:

1 Corinthians 13

1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Amen brother.

[traveller]

My concern is balance. Since the political hoopla that began prior to and right after the election, the world seems outta whack. More and more what we hear is talk radio and pundits and even on this board, many topics on government and still politics and that sort of thing. There are fewer topics on the things of God. Not to say there's not any, it just seems like current affairs draws more interest than a thread on doctrine. I know we need to concern ourselves with what's happening - don't misunderstand - but I've always found that to break from that and to engage in praise or a solid bible teaching is a refreshing break from the static that goes on all around us.

I think we need both. Balance.

There is a similar thread on this here.