In 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul instructs us to “test everything and hold to what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.” (1 Thes 5:21-22). Some translations use “examine everything carefully” instead of “test everything.” The point for the believer is to make sure that every action is in accord with what Christ would want. We are to be more Christ-like. We are not to hold to a standard of “good” that the world sets, but a standard of good that God sets. When scripture tells us to examine or test everything and hold to what is good, we are to weigh the cries, demands, and outrages of the world and do what scripture instructs, not what the world instructs. We are to abstain from evil.
Very well done brother. It's sobering, is it not, to think that all of the uproar and fighting we see in our country is solely due to sin. Too many desire someone to blame. In management, this was always referred to as deflection. I truly appreciate this.
To many people, including Christians, trust politicians that can't remember their promises two hours after they are elected to "fix" everything. It is time for the Ecclesia to take charge. Psalms 20:7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.
I usually read the NIV and Message versions because checking out both interpretations helps my understanding. The Message clumps together verses 19-22 as follows:
"Don't suppress the Spirit, and don't stifle those who have a word from the Master. On the other hand, don't be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what's good. Throw out anything tainted with evil."
I think verses 19-20 provide additional context, and it's good advice even when listening to Christ followers as well as for absorbing information from the Internet and other sources.
This should be so simple, and it isn't. How did we get to this point? I'm sure it isn't as easy as some think: that one side (pick a side, any side) took the wrong turn and the evil and hate have flowed from there. Because the easy answer is, uh, easy. (It makes a nice short sentence you can yell though).
But truth is deep, and resonant and sometimes complicated or tangled in our human thinking.
My far-left friends are just as convinced that the sin at issue is an (assumed) right-wing prejudice against anyone different. Maybe we're all just picking up part of the larger truth. Different parts, though.
Excellent! Many people who trust Jesus for their salvation appear to believe that He doesn't really involve Himself in politics. You demonstrate the fallacy of that idea daily, and this piece is especially important. We who have the peace of Christ within must behave accordingly. Our participation in community life whether political or social should always reveal the gifts we receive from Christ. Our lives ought to make people yearn to have what we have.
Of course, when Jesus himself walked on earth in the flesh, many people scorned him and rejected him, even though nobody will ever demonstrate Christ any better than Christ himself. We must, therefore, expect to fail often, maybe even to fail spectacularly, to persuade people to follow Christ and do things His way. That doesn't mean we should stop trying.
Thanks for your Christ-centered comments. I am glad for the support I have given you.
If you want more confirmation for your point of view, go to the Livestream for Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia and hear the sermon which Dr. Liam Goligher preached on Psalm 91 this morning. Tenth Church has worked to spread the Kingdom of God in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for 190 years. It is sad to see the destruction that has come to Philly this past week, and moving to watch the thousands of demonstrators on the Ben Franklin Parkway yesterday. But we as Christians are called to "Lift up our hearts" to where Christ sits in heaven, interceding for those whom He has redeemed. Our hope is not in this present world.
Problem is, I still miss the power and privilege I had as a member of the U. S. Army and Army Reserve .... and as a prep school student prior to the Army. I want to "Do something." I watched the special on ABC-TV on Michael Jordan last night, I hate to think that what Michael Jordan did with a basketball was vanity, because it sure was fun to watch! Praise God that we can at least remember what freedom was like.
Justice isn't dependent on the political party in power, but it is dependent on the policies of the political party in power. Nobody can force moral behavior on anybody, but a just government can prevent egregious moral violations. In the book of Judges, the Nation of Israel went through a period of cycles where "everybody did what was right in their own eyes." Then came the period of Kings when Israel became divided into two nations with two different Kings. Although many of the Kings did not make a positive difference, a minority of them did. There was an immense difference between a good King (like Jehoshaphat) and an evil ruler (like Ahab and his wife Jezebel). Jehoshaphat sent out priests to instruct people in the law of God, and his kingdom enjoyed the blessing of God and peace and prosperity. In contrast Ahab was said to be more evil than "all the Kings before him" and he instituted the worship of Baal on a national level.
My favorite quote from Abraham Lincoln's Second inaugural address is "Both [sides] read the same Bible and pray to the same God and each invokes His aid against the other." But looking back on history, it is clear that the slavery supported by one side was an atrocious crime against both God and man. Perhaps in another century, the people looking back on history will clearly see that abortion and violent riots of today's America were atrocious crimes against both God and man. That doesn't mean that the opposing side is inherently good, as the truth of God is that neither side is inherently good. But it does mean that there are inherently evil acts that need be opposed by all who wish to "Turn from evil and do good; [and to] seek peace and pursue it. (Psalm 34:14).
Very well done brother. It's sobering, is it not, to think that all of the uproar and fighting we see in our country is solely due to sin. Too many desire someone to blame. In management, this was always referred to as deflection. I truly appreciate this.
To many people, including Christians, trust politicians that can't remember their promises two hours after they are elected to "fix" everything. It is time for the Ecclesia to take charge. Psalms 20:7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God.
Very good words, thank you
I usually read the NIV and Message versions because checking out both interpretations helps my understanding. The Message clumps together verses 19-22 as follows:
"Don't suppress the Spirit, and don't stifle those who have a word from the Master. On the other hand, don't be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what's good. Throw out anything tainted with evil."
I think verses 19-20 provide additional context, and it's good advice even when listening to Christ followers as well as for absorbing information from the Internet and other sources.
This should be so simple, and it isn't. How did we get to this point? I'm sure it isn't as easy as some think: that one side (pick a side, any side) took the wrong turn and the evil and hate have flowed from there. Because the easy answer is, uh, easy. (It makes a nice short sentence you can yell though).
But truth is deep, and resonant and sometimes complicated or tangled in our human thinking.
My far-left friends are just as convinced that the sin at issue is an (assumed) right-wing prejudice against anyone different. Maybe we're all just picking up part of the larger truth. Different parts, though.
Much needed words today! Thank you & God bless you
Excellent! Many people who trust Jesus for their salvation appear to believe that He doesn't really involve Himself in politics. You demonstrate the fallacy of that idea daily, and this piece is especially important. We who have the peace of Christ within must behave accordingly. Our participation in community life whether political or social should always reveal the gifts we receive from Christ. Our lives ought to make people yearn to have what we have.
Of course, when Jesus himself walked on earth in the flesh, many people scorned him and rejected him, even though nobody will ever demonstrate Christ any better than Christ himself. We must, therefore, expect to fail often, maybe even to fail spectacularly, to persuade people to follow Christ and do things His way. That doesn't mean we should stop trying.
Thank you for never giving up. Keep writing.
Thanks for your Christ-centered comments. I am glad for the support I have given you.
If you want more confirmation for your point of view, go to the Livestream for Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia and hear the sermon which Dr. Liam Goligher preached on Psalm 91 this morning. Tenth Church has worked to spread the Kingdom of God in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for 190 years. It is sad to see the destruction that has come to Philly this past week, and moving to watch the thousands of demonstrators on the Ben Franklin Parkway yesterday. But we as Christians are called to "Lift up our hearts" to where Christ sits in heaven, interceding for those whom He has redeemed. Our hope is not in this present world.
Problem is, I still miss the power and privilege I had as a member of the U. S. Army and Army Reserve .... and as a prep school student prior to the Army. I want to "Do something." I watched the special on ABC-TV on Michael Jordan last night, I hate to think that what Michael Jordan did with a basketball was vanity, because it sure was fun to watch! Praise God that we can at least remember what freedom was like.
Justice isn't dependent on the political party in power, but it is dependent on the policies of the political party in power. Nobody can force moral behavior on anybody, but a just government can prevent egregious moral violations. In the book of Judges, the Nation of Israel went through a period of cycles where "everybody did what was right in their own eyes." Then came the period of Kings when Israel became divided into two nations with two different Kings. Although many of the Kings did not make a positive difference, a minority of them did. There was an immense difference between a good King (like Jehoshaphat) and an evil ruler (like Ahab and his wife Jezebel). Jehoshaphat sent out priests to instruct people in the law of God, and his kingdom enjoyed the blessing of God and peace and prosperity. In contrast Ahab was said to be more evil than "all the Kings before him" and he instituted the worship of Baal on a national level.
My favorite quote from Abraham Lincoln's Second inaugural address is "Both [sides] read the same Bible and pray to the same God and each invokes His aid against the other." But looking back on history, it is clear that the slavery supported by one side was an atrocious crime against both God and man. Perhaps in another century, the people looking back on history will clearly see that abortion and violent riots of today's America were atrocious crimes against both God and man. That doesn't mean that the opposing side is inherently good, as the truth of God is that neither side is inherently good. But it does mean that there are inherently evil acts that need be opposed by all who wish to "Turn from evil and do good; [and to] seek peace and pursue it. (Psalm 34:14).
Powerful words! I get so caught up in the crazy stuff going on now I sometimes forget the Lord.
I have to remind myself that He has ultimate control and too Trust Him.
...to Trust Him.
...to trust Him. (I hate typing)
Hahaha. Ditto.