WHEN AN APOSTLE IS CONCERNED Who does not know that there is too much "world" in the professing church? If this assessment is true, we have a serious contradiction on our hands. Jesus affirmed of Himself, "I am NOT of this world!" (John 8:23). He said of His kingdom, "My kingdom is NOT of this world" (John 18:36). He said of His disciples, "ye are NOT of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world" (John 15:19). He confessed to the Father, "they are NOT of the world, even as I am NOT of the world" (John 17:14). And again He prayed, "They are NOT of the world, even as I am NOT of the world" (John 17:16). How, therefore, is it possible for a person to be effectively united to Christ and translated into His kingdom, yet remain fundamentally like the world? The experience of salvation cannot contradict the revealed purpose of salvation. -- Tomorrow:
"Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him." (2 Corinthians 11:1-4)
Devotion 12 of 29
Add to this that one of the fundamental purposes for Jesus giving "Himself for our sins," was that He might"deliver us FROM this present evil world, according to the will of God our Father" (Gal 1:4). Add to that the solemn admonition of John: "Love NOT the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is NOT in him" (1 John 2:15). Add to that the word of James: "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world IS the enemy of God" (James 4:4). The gravity of that statement is sufficient to compel one to avoid friendship with the world at all cost.
One of the descriptions of those aligned with Christ is particularly pertinent to this subject. This is a trait ascribed to the 144,000 "which were redeemed from the earth." In particular, this vast throng is said to be "all the tribes of the children of Israel" (Rev 7:4). Yet, their true uniqueness is said to be that of being WITH the "Lamb," "having the Father's name written in their foreheads," and being "redeemed from the earth" (Rev 14:1,3). In this respect, they are characterized has having been saved by Christ Jesus. Here is the description that is given of those who have been "redeemed from the earth."
"These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God" (Rev 14:4-5). Notice these unique traits.
1. PURE. "Not defiled with women." These are not guilty of spiritual fornication, prostituting their affection to the world.
2. NO UNHOLY INVOLVEMENTS. "They are virgins." These are presented wholly to the Lord Jesus. Their past has been removed, and they have been given a new nature that can only be wed to the Lord.
3. FAITHFUL. "They follow the Lamb wherever He goes." These people are not wayward, recalcitrant, unfaithful, or disobedient.
4. SEPARATED. "They are redeemed from among men." These people have been taken from among men "for His name" (Acts 15:14).
5. EXCLUSIVELY FOR GOD. They are a "firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb." This is the Lord's harvest, and is intended for the use of no one else.
6. WITHOUT PRETENSE. There is "no guile found in their mouths." These have been delivered from self-serving interests, and corrupt speech.
7. FAULTLESS. They are 'without fault before the throne of God."
Is there a single person in all of the world who can successfully defend the postulate that any individual or group of individuals will be "forever with the Lord" that cannot be so described? And, should such a thing be possible, what kind of honor will Jesus receive for it? If He died and rose again that we "should NOT henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again" (2 Cor 5:15), then precisely how can any other kind of life be justified? How can a person live for self and gain advantage from Jesus?
Where is the soul who will dare to affirm that Jesus will gather a people to Himself who have NOT lived "for Him?" Where is there the faintest Divine whisper that such a thing is remotely possible? If it is possible, then what kind of work will the Holy Spirit be said to have done in such a people? How will the grace of God have worked in them? Precisely in what sense were they "delivered from this present evil world" and "translated into the kingdom" of God's dear Son?
Let there be an end to miserable attempts to justify sin remaining among the children of God! It does not belong in the house of God, which is "the pillar and ground of the truth" (1 Tim 3:15). The church is to rid itself of its garbage, whether it is practices or people! Corinth had to do both, and Paul would not rest until it was done!
That is the reason for these words of Paul, and for his threats to come against certain in the church who had vaunted themselves above what was right. Like Diotrephes opposed John, these were opposing Paul. Paul would conduct himself toward them precisely as John said he would toward Diotrephes. "I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church" (3 John 1:9-10).
When wicked men oppose the truth and the messengers of Christ, they are to be exposed publicly and forthrightly. Paul is straightforward about this. The approach is to be done correctly, and in the spirit of Christ but it IS to be done. "Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. Them (recalcitrant elders) that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear" (1 Tim 5:19-20). There should be no fleshly fear in doing this where it is warranted.
All of this is intended to prepare men to be presented to Christ in a state of purity and thorough commitment. No person laboring together with God can allow himself to be turned aside from this objective. It is Christ's intention, and it must be ours as well. It is true that spiritual Babylon has inculcated a religious hierarchy upon men that is not from God. Men are made leaders of the church who have little or no acquaintance with the Lord and His ways. They are not engaged in leading and feeding the flock of God, and yet are said to have dominance over those who speak the Word of the Lord. This is not the truth, and it must not be treated as though it is true. If ever it can be established that what has been declared is from the Lord, and accurately depicts His will and purpose for His people, no person must be allowed to oppose it, and treat the matter as though it was optional.
I will go so far as to say the salvation of men is at stake in this matter. If "the word of this salvation" can be successfully opposed, how is it possible for the salvation of which it speaks to be experienced by the hearers? Seeing this, Paul waxes bold, and speaks with unusual clarity, that he might rescue the Corinthians from their downward plunge, and free them from false teachers.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for the liberating effects of the truth.