Welcome to my personal opinion!

How has your point of view been determined? On what do you base your belief system? What shapes your opinions?

All of us look at our world around us and interpret what we see based upon our most basic beliefs. This perspective is often referred to as our "worldview." We see what goes on in the world and our world view determines whether we think those things are good or bad, positive or negative. And that worldview also determines how we will react to everything that we encounter. So you see, it really is a matter of perspective.

Up front I will confess that I hold to what is known as a Biblical Worldview. My commitment to the Bible as being the Word of God, and my faith in the One revealed to us in that totally unique book and through His Holy Spirit has provided the lens through which I view the world around me.

So, if you choose to read what I have written there will likely be some things you will agree with and some which you will not. That will be determined by your own personal worldview.

My hope is that what I write will challenge you to better understand what you have chosen to base your worldview upon, and if it is not based on the unchanging Word of God, that you might become convinced, like I am convinced, that His Word is truth and serves to guide the believer through life's journey toward the "abundant life" Jesus promised in John 10:10.

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Who are you running with?

My last post dealt with Proverbs 1:10 which is Solomon's advice to his son to say no to those who encouraged him to engage in sinful activity. Skipping down to verse 15 of this same chapter, Solomon says: "My son, do not walk in the way with them, keep your foot from their path." In the modern vernacular he might have said, "Boy, watch out what kind of crowd you hang out with!" We have all heard that admonition, but have you ever thought about the fact that if you are running with the wrong crowd you are the wrong crowd?

Verse 16 says, "For their feet run to evil." Remember that Solomon was a man of faith, and he was addressing his son who was raised to be a man of faith, so these proverbs were addressing one who professed his allegiance to God. Therefore, for the young "believer" to run around with these evil-doers was totally out of character with what God expected of him.

I am reminded of Psalm 97:10 which commands, "You who love the Lord, hate evil!" Does this mean we are to hate evil people? No! A follower of Christ is to love all men and women because God loves them. But, we are to hate the evil that is done! I think this thought can be well expressed in these three statements about our response to evil:
  • REJECT IT!
  • DESPISE IT!
  • AVOID IT!

Each day we make choices . . . to join in or to reject the temptation to sin. Our old nature is lured by the opportunity, but if our nature is renewed by the Spirit of God we will despise the sin because He despises it. And the best way to reject the temptation is to flee from it. That was the word Paul gave Timothy in his second letter to the young Christian leader -- "Flee youthful lusts . . ." (2:22). A good word of advice to give to anyone is to not put yourself in a position where you might compromise your values, and if you find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time, get out of there! Oh how many of our fallen brothers and sisters would have benefited if they had followed that advice.

"Hate the sin, but love the sinner!" That's God's attitude, and it should be ours as well.

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