In each Christian's life there rages a struggle for predominance over the soul of the person, one that will ultimately control the individual in this present world in which we live. This struggle is not present in those that are happy with their existence in the natural state. This struggle between the fleshly desires and the Spirit are for the control of the soul, that is to say the mind, the philosophy of which the Christian will live his or her life. Whichever controls the mind will control the majority of the actions of the person. We know this to be the case as we struggle to free our thoughts from those lusts of the flesh, whether it be fame or sexual desire, power, love of worldliness or envy. There is some area or areas that we all have as a weakness and must work diligently to overcome.
This is normal for a true disciple of Christ to have to battle for that place of brokenness to ourselves and obedience to our Father through the atoning work of Christ, utilizing the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives as a comforter, teacher, and guide. The more we immerse ourselves in the present trappings of life the harder it becomes to remain a loyal disciple of Christ. We all have failed to meet this standard at times and have even made light of it by saying, "Well, nobody's perfect". We even think odd of someone who diligently tries to keep themselves as pure as possible from these trappings. How sad for our generation. We have truly taken much of the bait and enticements the enemy has laid out for us. The truth is, many Christians today love a mixture of some proportion with the world, striking just enough of a balance to remain fairly comfortable. This is not without precedent from previous generations and we have it recorded, not only in the Old Testament, with a whoring Nation of Israel, but this battle started as soon as the gentiles were brought to Christ, a battle for the mixture began. I found this brief explanation of the problem with a particular group of people in the new testament that caused great controversy in the beginning of Christianity.
Taken from this link: http://www.bible-history.com/isbe/N/NICOLAITANS/
3. Nicolaitan Controversy:
The problem underlying the Nicolaitan controversy, though so little direct mention is made of it in Scripture, was in reality most important, and concerned the whole relation of Christianity to paganism and its usages. The Nicolaitans disobeyed the command issued to the Gentile churches, by the apostolic council held at Jerusalem in 49-50 AD, that they should refrain from the eating of "things sacrificed to idols" (Acts 15:29). Such a restriction, though seemingly hard, in that it prevented the Christian communities from joining in public festivals, and so brought upon them suspicion and dislike, was yet necessary to prevent a return to a pagan laxity of morals. To this danger the Nicolaitans were themselves a glaring witness, and therefore John was justified in condemning them. In writing to the Corinthians, Paul gives warning against the same evil practices, basing his arguments on consideration for the weaker brethren (compare 1 Cor 8).
The problem underlying the Nicolaitan controversy, though so little direct mention is made of it in Scripture, was in reality most important, and concerned the whole relation of Christianity to paganism and its usages. The Nicolaitans disobeyed the command issued to the Gentile churches, by the apostolic council held at Jerusalem in 49-50 AD, that they should refrain from the eating of "things sacrificed to idols" (Acts 15:29). Such a restriction, though seemingly hard, in that it prevented the Christian communities from joining in public festivals, and so brought upon them suspicion and dislike, was yet necessary to prevent a return to a pagan laxity of morals. To this danger the Nicolaitans were themselves a glaring witness, and therefore John was justified in condemning them. In writing to the Corinthians, Paul gives warning against the same evil practices, basing his arguments on consideration for the weaker brethren (compare 1 Cor 8).
You see there is a correlation with us today, in that, we want to be a part of an ever-increasing paganistic society and not be disliked among our peers. This has lead to so much compromise and mixture that we have even justified our actions by changing old doctrines to accommodate such desires. Of course, mixing sexual deviant practices are one part of this acceptance of the Nicolaitan philosophy. It is a sad commentary that so much divorce has become common-place among the Christian community, broken homes and damaged children are a result. It is the compromises in the Church that have led to the rapid decline of western society, not just the politicians.
We must give heed to the warning given the church at Ephesus, in revelations chapter 2: 1 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write,
‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3 and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. 6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.7 “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”’
We must not continue to accept this mixture in our lives as it produces a mixture in the church, seemingly small compromises lead to larger ones. Keep yourselves little children, in the purity of God.
No comments:
Post a Comment