ENEMIES OF GOD

  Ok this post is more about living the Christian life. Only this time I have the scriptures to go with it. My main reason for going into all of this is to learn and grow in the image of Christ. While offering others a chance to see God at work. ( Even though all they have to do is look up at night). I believe that the church, born again people, do not know what kind of god they are dealing with. I don't think they realize just how jealous their god is. Other wise they'd be on their faces before His thrown begging for mercy. Gods mercy.         I want to start out with an analogy I got from Steve Gallagher, the writer of the book, Intoxicated with Babylon. Then we will compare this analogy to the Christians of today. Then we will look at some scriptures as we go more in depth into the average Christians life.   The analogy.                      When someone wishes to immigrate to the United States and become a citizen, he must file the proper applications, take needed tests, and go for interviews- all of which are a part of the necessary procedures. The applicant is also expected to renounce his loyalties to his former country and pledge allegiance  to his new homeland.            However, some come to America to use her for their own selfish ambitions and purposes. An example of this occurred in 1979 when Iranian revolutionaries took a number of our diplomats hostage. During that time, patriotism rose to a fever in America. Most of the Iranians who had immigrated to the United States prior to this incident also felt badly about what happened in their former country. Their loyalties lay properly with their new country.           Some Iranian immigrants, on the other hand, openly expressed their sympathy for the hostage takers. The response of patriotic Americans was predictable and right. If these immigrants were in America by our governments good graces; if America had opened its heart and land to them; if they were attending our finest colleges on scholarships; if they were employed at a level umimaginable in Iran; then how could they show sympathy for Americas enemies? Where was the gratitude for the bounty of freedoms and opportunities they had been afforded?   The comparison.          Is this not a fair comparison to the Christian people, who have been called out of the world; who have pledged their allegiance to the one true God? Does not the Bible say he is a jealous God? Why then do you think that he would allow you to have every pleasure in the world, when He has specifically called you out of the world?  It is impossible to be a Christian and still hang onto worldly things. What are these things? That is a question which creates a whole lot of controversy. And I think it does because people don't want to face the truth of what God demands! If you ever get into one of these debates, just make them go to the Bible to prove their point. And keep making them go to the Bible. Also, be sure you know the scriptures that back up your side. Back to my point at hand. In Luke 9:62 Jesus said it was impossible to be a follower of Him and still hold onto the world by using this analogy, "No one after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God". And in Matthew 12:30 he says "He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me, scatters". So you see half-hearted devotion to Christ is not merely unacceptable; it is impossible. Maturity takes time, but it is doubtful a person who doesn't change was ever even converted.   Paul puts it this way,                     Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness with lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols?            For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people."            "Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate," says the Lord. "And do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you. And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me," says the Lord Almighty.            Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1)                   I think that pretty well sums it up. So thats about all for this lengthy post. May we all continue to be conformed into the image of Christ.