"Do Not Touch What Is Unclean," says the LORD.
Colossians 4:16 By the way, after you have read this letter, will you
pass it on to the church at Laodicea? And read the letter I wrote to
them. NLT
I was reading in Colossians last week and came upon the
above verse I had never noticed before. Laodicea was the last of the
seven churches in Revelation.
It is an interesting thought that
the Lord was giving them a head's up to change their behavior. Perhaps
this is a wake up call to the church today.
Father God, Open our eyes to Your truth today. Cause us to come out from among this last day's church. In Jesus' name. Amen.
2 Corinthians 6:17
Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. NLT
Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” NKJV
So leave the corruption and compromise; leave it for good," says God. "Don't link up with those who will pollute you. I want you all for myself. MSG
The following comments are taken from Knowing Jesus.
"Jesus has chosen us out of the world to be His children. He told us that His kingdom was not of this world system and that as His Body and Bride, we are to be in the world but not to be part of the world. The church at Corinth had become shockingly entangled with the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life.
Many had adopted the prevailing behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes of the world, indulging in fleshly actions, becoming carnal believers, and not spiritual men and women that were maturing in the faith. So Paul also picks up the same instruction to this group of worldly Christians, for although we are to be salt and light to all who we meet, we are not to become infected by the world and all that makes up the world systems, world politics, world religions, worldly actions, and worldly attitudes.
The mindset of the world today is plied in every area of modern life, and all too easily we can become entrapped into worldly thinking and worldly wisdom. But as believers we are to be holy unto the Lord, a peculiar people standing in contra-distinction to the things of this world, with a mindset that is from God, with a heart that is focused on Christ and severed from the corrupt thinking of today."
Source: https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/2-corinthians-6-17
I love "we are to be holy unto the Lord, a peculiar people standing in contra-distinction to the things of this world" - YES! Instead are so busy trying to fit in and be just like the world. We want our music, literature, movies and TV shows to be just like the world's yet how does that set us apart? We want our church music to be as good as or better than the world's rock bands; the sermons to be like a comedy club show and our personal lives full of sports, fine dining, travel and status symbols. We try to justify the decisions we make instead of accepting correction and guidance from our brothers and sisters. May God bless and keep those Christian leaders out there who are trying to protect and nurture Jesus's flock by adhering to His truth and ways.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lisa! Amen to your comments and prayer. I like your comment, "...sermons to be like a comedy club show." Entertainment is what many of today's churches seem to be about. It is lonely out there sometimes when we disagree as noted in the posted image. I love the MSG translation, "I (God) want you all to myself". We are NEVER alone! Hallelujah! Maranatha!
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