Overcoming the World – Part 1

Several years ago, I wrote and published a book called Victory Over Backsliding. 

Maybe the term “backsliding” is new to you.  Backsliding is when you turn away from God (and start living life your own way), even though you were once committed to Him.  In my book, I share my own first-hand experience with it, what I learned from it, and how I came back to the God of my childhood.

This morning, this book about backsliding came to mind, and I feel compelled to share the chapter that talks about the believer’s stand in our present world.  Since there’s a lot to digest, I’ll share it in parts, and add some new commentary in light of our current situation, fighting the pandemic Covid-19.  I trust you will feel enlightened and encouraged as you read.  Hopefully, it will explain things in a clearer light.

Chapter 3 – Overcoming the World (see book info below)  

 Moral Decline

Today, more than ever, we are living in a time of great uncertainty.   Times have always been uncertain, but since the turn of the 20th Century, it seems that at least in our Western world, while we have amassed great material wealth, our moral climate has rapidly declined along with it.   How can you tell the spiritual strength of a society?  By it’s moral climate.  Without God’s Word to guide us, we can easily get swept away by many of the evil ills of society which are readily available all around us.  For many new Christians, the perplexing question is, How do we learn to live in a fallen world, yet not become like it?  For if we start to become like it and let our morals slide, it is certain we will also backslide.

Current Note:  I began to write and research this book several years before it was published in 2007.  Look how things have steadily regressed with legal abortion up to nine months, tolerance and legality of aberrant sexual behavior and lifestyle, pedophiles, criminal behavior, selling children into pornography, human trafficking, legalizing drugs, and all kinds of other evil actions, many of them now legal.  Remember, the earth is God’s, and all that is created belong to Him. He is a Holy God (set apart from all others), and cannot and will never tolerate sin.  He loves us, but he hates sin for the devastation and death it causes. He holds the keys to life and death.  It is our choice if we accept His free gift of eternal life, or reject Him and be lost forever in hell.  That’s the reality. The pandemic is nothing compared to consequences of rejecting Jesus Christ, God’s only provision for our salvation. 

In light of where we are today, at least morally, we can’t help but wonder, if people don’t see this as an opportunity to re-evaluate their life, and choose to accept Christ, what will it take?

What is the “World?”

In I John the word world is mentioned 17 times alone and is mentioned 203 times in the New Testament (King James version).  We need to know where we stand in terms of the evil world system in which we live, work, study in, and shop in and so on.  Many people ask, “If there’s a God, how come so many terrible things happen?” Because the ruler of darkness, Satan, has been given free reign on this earth.  His is the kingdom of darkness and out of that, stem all the evil occurrences – wars, disasters, murders, and so on.  Even Jesus when He was tempted was shown all the kingdoms of the world by Satan (Matthew 4:8).  Biblical scholars call it an “evil world system” based on John 7:7.  Yet, our victory lies in the fact that while we may be living in this world for a time, we are living under the control of, or dominion of, a totally different system.  We are part of the Kingdom of God.  Jesus said to the Pharisees:

      You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. John 8:23

Later in John 15:19, Jesus says of His own children:

If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

And in John 17:16, Jesus reiterates in His high priestly prayer to the Father:

They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

            So we have been separated from this world system, yet not physically removed from the world.  To answer the question asked before, How do we learn to live in a fallen world, yet not become like it?  is to recognize the fact that “positionally,” that is, spiritually, we are “in Christ,” and therefore we are not subject to the evil in the world.  In fact, we are overcomers of the evil:

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.   I John 4:4

Not only that, but the Jesus assures us that He Himself has overcome the world:

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33 

This means that we have nothing to fear.  We are free to live in this world and still not become worldly and morally backslide.  But there are some things to be aware of.  We must never turn to the world for answers or turn to the world or things of the world to try to meet our needs.  We are not placed here for our own personal comforts, wealth or fame.  We are here to proclaim the Gospel, but this is where we may stumble and fall.  Yet, we are always given the choice as in the following Biblical example.

Stay tuned for Part 2.

McBurney-Gunhouse, Linda  Overcoming the World; Victory Over Backsliding; Winnipeg Beach; Creative Focus Publishing; 2007, pgs. 23-25.

The Corona Virus & Prepping for the Last Days

Each day I am trying to make sense of the virus’s ability to shut down an entire planet from travel, from carrying on business as usual, education, entertainment, any social gathering, and whatever is considered non-essential services. Nothing makes sense until I put it into the category of the spiritual. Then all kind of possibilities arise. Some are mentioned here, most notably, a prelude to the grand finale, or the last days of this earth.

Many have said long before this that we are in the last days, as it is referred to in the Bible. Maybe we don’t want to think about it, but now is as good a time as there will likely ever be. This time of the world shutting down is maybe a last chance to really get our hearts right with God. The time for laying back and waiting until “some day when I’m older, or when I have time,” is long past. Today is the day of salvation.

2Co 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

Many people will survive the Corona virus. Some won’t. Some will be ready, some won’t. Today is a tremendous opportunity to slow down and think about the things that really matter...and that would be the state of our own soul. We will live beyond physical death, so where will our soul end up?

Consider the very sobering words of Jesus:

Mat 16:26  For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Make no mistake about it! You can lose your own soul if you haven’t believed in Jesus and received Him into your life!

And the two verses above verse 26 state a truth that differentiates between the serious follower of Jesus, and the passer-by who takes only a mild interest in the things of God.

Mat 16:24  Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Mat 16:25  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

Now, with almost everything closed, and we’re unable to be with our loved ones and friends, what is left? For not even the things of this world that we may love and enjoy are available! I think Jesus speaks it loud and clear here: if we love Jesus and want to follow Him and His ways, then there is a cross to bear. It means we deny ourself (perhaps like we are learning to do now); and we are going to take up a much greater cause than just living day by day to be entertained and seek to live a life of ease. We are not here for our own self fulfillment. And that includes jobs and careers that are far too important to us! I know! Ouch...that really hurts! And I think that the virus situation can clearly spell this out for us: i.e. If you care a whit about others — do the right thing and STAY HOME!

Without the virus caution, we would likely do just the opposite. Go and visit your neighbour in his hour of need. Take him some soup and give him some encouragement and cheer.

The corona virus exposes what’s in the heart of us, doesn’t it? Will we comply or just laugh it off and do what we’ve always done — our own thing! After all, life now is not what we’re used to even a few short weeks ago. Is God mean and wanting us to be apart from one another? I don’t believe that. But I do believe it is for a very necessary time, and that we need to PRAY, and pay attention to God’s specific answer for each one of us. More than anything, He cares for us, and it is us who have drifted away from Him and His ways; this is not God’s doing! He is just lovingly wanting our time and attention! He has been overly patient with us for a very long time, especially considering it is us who have broken His laws that were only put there for our own safety and our own good. I believe this includes obeying authorities in your country that are all saying the same thing: STAY AT HOME in order to keep yourself and others safe!

In writing this particular blog, the following verses came to mind so strongly, I have to share them:

2Ti 3:1  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2Ti 3:2  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

2Ti 3:3  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

2Ti 3:4  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

2Ti 3:5  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

VERSE 4 STANDS OUT TO ME: Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

In a sense, isn’t this what travel, gambling, entertainment and sports are, to name a few, for many people? It has become their love and their god. These are the things that have been removed for now. Not pointing fingers, just observing what seems so obvious, especially when some people have returned from their non-essential trips and not self isolated, possibly and certainly infecting others.

It is easy to be selfish when we do not think of others and how are actions might and do affect them.  At the very least, we need to think about pleasing God by being kind to others!

Are we in the last days? Is this just a pause before the world becomes ever darker? Will nations crumble under the weight of financial debt and ruin and have to seek money from a one world government? Many people think that maybe this is a possibility. My caution, above all, is this: seek God’s face every time you wake up in the morning. Really seek Him, pray and listen. This is a time, that I believe, we are to set aside for the things of God. We need to seek Him, and be willing to take up our cross, and be all- out committed to the One who loved us so much He died for us. We are bought with His precious blood, and we belong to Him. Do not take this time for granted — it will end, and who knows what the future holds after this? We are not to be fearful, but be wise.

Eph 5:15  See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

Eph 5:16  Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Eph 5:17  Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

The governments do not know the answers, or when this will end.  Only God knows.  He is the One we need to turn to.