There is a clarion call from the Lord Jesus who is our Christ to be in the world but not of the world. For we who are His are not to walk in the same manner as the world walks. Today is a day many celebrate called Halloween. While it’s beginnings are pagan, many who call on Christ include this day in their walk and dress up as witches, warlocks and other characters, both evil and ordinary to have fun. But at what cost? At the cost of their walk and representation in Christ.
Our Holy Lord is quoted in the Gospels as saying:
13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Mat. 5:13-16)
If we, who are His are called the salt of the earth and a light to the world, then if we walk according to the world, doesn’t this diminish or even extinguish our light and our salt loses it’s flavor? So then we will be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. This is what the Lord said. Not me.
Paul also wrote and exhorted us through his letter to the Corinthians(2Cor. 6:14-18):
14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you[b] are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
“I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.”(Leviticus 26:12; Jeremiah 32:38; Ezekiel 37:27)
17 Therefore
“Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” (Isaiah 52:11; Ezekiel 20:34, 41)18 “I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty.”(2 Samuel 7:14)
Notice that Paul is quoting the old testament here. God’s word for us yesterday, today and tomorrow. If we are His let us come out from among them and put away the foolish things of this world and take on the Glory He has prepared for us in Christ! May the Lord find you in His work on the day of His Return!
Last Days of the Age 
We can certainly understand the desire to bring a little spice to life at times as the mundane can so often become overwhelming. We so often look to some cheap thrill, whether its the new popular movie or the next new wild ride at the park for some entertainment. Today most of us witnessed at least a handful of people who chose to dress up. In celebration or otherwise, each is looking to glean something from outside of themselves, some satisfaction derived from the freedom given to them by God. Even in anticipation of these things, the one thing we know is sure- it will not, it cannot last nor satisfy. God has not allowed this to be so. Even the promise that His mercies can be made new daily shouts of our need to be regularly dependent does it not.
Most of those dressing up are simply following the dictates of a world gone mad. Just like the majority of attendees of particular religions, most don’t even know why they do what they do, they only act because of some sense of guilt or because societies steer what seems normal for the masses. In the end, they may have fulfilled their sense of obligation but are still no better off.
If this world needs anything these days its a person or a people who exhibit true authenticity. Despite the true claims that many in the church are hypocrites, that doesn’t negate our responsibility as believers, and if anything enhances it. People need to know Christians are real, blunders and all. Too many people either “dress to impress” or “cover their shame” the only way they know how. Once again, only a temporary reprieve can be found and the real me eventually returns to haunt me once again.
The next time you see someone exhibit a noticeable difference in their appearance take note. Whether that is a haircut, a new outfit or holiday attire, it usually evidence of something deeper that’s screaming to get out or be noticed. That’s your chance, that’s my chance to be the representative of Christ He’s calling us to be.
It’s never enough to simply not do what others are doing. Obedience is blessed by God, but how much more when we use the opportunity of that obedience to be a light to the unawares, an explanation of why we do what we do and serve who we serve.
Thanks for your thoughtful addition brother. Certainly there is nothing wrong with celebrations. But it’s what is being celebrated that is at the heart of the issue along with the roots of it’s beginning. People are certainly free for the moment to believe what they want. The few who come across this blog will either scoff silently or agree silently. But that is always between them and the Lord. My hope is that a little more light be shone upon those who have not considered such things before.
“If this world needs anything these days its a person or a people who exhibit true authenticity. Despite the true claims that many in the church are hypocrites, that doesn’t negate our responsibility as believers, and if anything enhances it. People need to know Christians are real, blunders and all.”
I quoted this from you as this is exactly what I think needs to happen and is what the Lord is beginning to build for a last days witness.
Hi Al,
The more I have been preaching on the streets the more it seems that the world is moving away from Him. There is a growing hostility now against Christians in the west and it is becoming like it is in the east. Those that don’t jump on board with what the world believes are not tolerated but those who don’t tolerate say to us that we must tolerate the worlds sinful backsliding.
its going to get harder and harder for believers in the world. Jacob Prasch gave a teaching with what I believe is a keen insight and exegesis of the word of God:
and also watch this
What I want to say is in these two youtube videos. Its going to get tougher and tougher. Paul Washer said something also quite prophetic.
“Christians won’t be persecuted by the world for doing the right thing. They will be looked on by the world and slandered…made out to be something that we are not. We will be treated like criminals” – even though we do that which is right in the eyes of the Lord.
We must understand the words of Christ; “If they hated me they will hate you!”
Walk the way the Lord wants us to walk and commit our troubles to the Lord. God bless you brothers…its getting harder but the tribulation of this world, which is fleeting, cannot be compared with the love and righteousness of the next world – which is world without end. Amen
Hi Colin, God Bless you brother. It’s true that the world at large hates Christ and His Truth of the Gospel. They want a part to play in their own Salvation or reject Salvation outright. I have only watch 8 minutes of the first video and a smidgen of the 2nd video. I agree with Mr. Prasch so far only on the basis that the homosexual movement is gaining immense ground and the hour is very late. There are some aspects I am quite sure about yet. I will address those as I have time to view more of the videos. Saints, be Bereans as you read my words and also as you view videos of others. No offense to my brother Colin as I’m sure what he is sharing regarding the lateness of the hour is true, but I don’t want to mix it in with any other leaven.
Let me also mention that I read more than a few articles in my early awakening to the apostasy at Moriel Ministries, but it’s been a long time since I have fed on any of Mr. Prasch’s teachings. So I am neither condoning nor recommending him since I haven’t had time to catch up to where this man is with the Lord.
“Christians won’t be persecuted by the world for doing the right thing. They will be looked on by the world and slandered…made out to be something that we are not. We will be treated like criminals”
I wanted to very respectfully add to this quote by brother Washer (who I esteem in the Lord) that much of the so called persecution coming will actually be judgment on the harlot church system. Just as it was not persecution, but rather judgment, when the king of Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and pillaged the temple. The tea party, moral majority, Christian right, and other such groups will be judged not persecuted.
Example – when the state sponsored denominational church systems loses its 501c status it will not be persecution however much the churchians may cry otherwise. I was thinking of this story of so called persecution from some years ago posted by VOM. So many professing Christians are under delusion, they don’t know what Christianity is or what persecution is.
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Catholic Church in Maywood Vandalized, Called a Hate Crime
Stacy L. Harp
May 25, 2010
We’ve covered numerous churches in recent days that have been either set on fire, or burglarized or vandalized. Today we have a sad story about a Catholic Church in the Los Angeles area, that has been vandalized with the number 666 being scrawled in the kitchen, a knife being stabbed into a picture of the Virgin of Guadalupe and then someone had defecated in the sanctuary.
The Catholic Church is calling this a hate crime and police are investigating. Click here to read more.
Posted in Christian Persecution
Interesting proposal brother. For a long time the fact that Catholic churches are persecuted along with the Ekklesia bothered me. I know that much of the lost see Catholics as saved, but knowing many are not because of idolatry and doctrines of men. For this reason that the VOM reports on Catholic persecution as well as persecution of True disciples I stopped following VOM. Some are persecuted for the church (Catholic) Some are persecuted for Christ’s sake. The Lord knows who is who.
Was thinking of the fall of Jerusalem in 70ad. Some ungodly roman men may have thought they had proven the God of Israel wasn’t real. Little did they know they were merely being used to carry out his will. In the same way some liberals today may glory in victory against political and institutional christendom but they are merely being used to carry out God’s purposes. Both the perceived winners (godless liberals) and losers (apostate religious) are under the judgment of God.
In Christ -Jim
501c status – well yeah! Any church relying on handouts from the world tax system is not standing on the faith of the word of God. In the uk you have to say what benefit you are to the community before you can have “charitable status”!? Churches can’t just say that they will feed the poor and and preach the gospel…it has to be “fleshed out a little” to make sure they sound “charitable”. I personally say that it is better to come away from anything like that and rely completely on Christ…He wasn’t lying to us when he said “seek the kingdom and all else will be given to you”
My daughter said that she wanted to help to go out and feed the poor with her local church and she was asked to fill in a number of forms and jump through a number of hoops before she can go out and help them. I said to her – get a flask and fill it with hot water, buy some packet soups, bread, chocolate and other quick energy foods and put them in a bag along with some plastic cups and go on the street with whoever else wants to go with you and when you see someone who is hungry – give them a hot drink, some food and sit and talk to them…you don’t need to fill in forms to feed someone who is in need. The world is mad!
” I said to her – get a flask and fill it with hot water, buy some packet soups, bread, chocolate and other quick energy foods and put them in a bag along with some plastic cups and go on the street with whoever else wants to go with you and when you see someone who is hungry – give them a hot drink, some food and sit and talk to them”
The best father to daughter advise I have hear in quite some time! Good to see your around bro. Hope you are well in the Lord.
-Jim
Jim:
The false church system is representative of Christ by association: they associate themselves with His name [and sometimes, even parts of His doctrine]; to the extent that they do that, they are persecuted.
However, it is possible that the mixing of light and darkness in the churches will come to an end one day: when they are consumed by darkness and devoid of Light.
Then, the harlot church system will draw its strength from the anti-christ for a time (Revelation 17).
Just a thought and possible interpretation.
Peace,
Mark