tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13307179.post3343195396250332177..comments2023-06-30T08:56:18.575-05:00Comments on Just a Middle School Guy: Family ValuesMark E. Eadeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09619556378258957283noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13307179.post-85902264995187266952009-02-22T08:52:00.000-06:002009-02-22T08:52:00.000-06:00Good morning Pastor Mark,"if that means we are to ...Good morning Pastor Mark,<BR/><BR/>"if that means we are to fortify ourselves from the world or to be salt in the world?"<BR/><BR/>Should christians isolate themselves from the world? No. Biblically speaking there is a line drawn. Jesus prayed to the Father in John 17:15 "I pray not that You would take them out of the world". V 16 He then says "They are not of the world".<BR/>V17 Jesus prays, "So I have sent them into the world"<BR/>Later on the Holy Spirit said to John "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world."<BR/>To sum it up, Jesus was saying," I want you in the world, but not of the world. I've sent you to the world, but don't love the world."<BR/>Matt 5:13 does state we are to be salt. The 12 preceding verses give us a clear vision of what our character should exude to be the salt and light for the world. Salt for it to be effective needs to mix with the substance its affecting. <BR/>As I see it, for me to be salt that is effective I should be poor in spirit, mournful over my sin, meek before a holy God. I should hunger and thirst for rightousness, be merciful, pure in heart and a peacemaker. This will lead to persecution. In this day an age, that is what I mean by being a peculiar people. <BR/><BR/>1Pet 2:9 says "But you area a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."<BR/><BR/>My conviction now is to be bolder in proclaiming His excellencies. <BR/>IMHO, I think the world is needing to see the Body of Christ as something vastly different and set apart. I believe that unbelievers should be uncomfortable and act differently when they are around us. Will some persecute us? You bet. Will some want what we have? John 6:44. <BR/>In Christ love, JoeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13307179.post-20080331699696539662009-02-21T08:05:00.000-06:002009-02-21T08:05:00.000-06:00Hey Joe, Sorry about taking so long to respond to ...Hey Joe, <BR/><BR/>Sorry about taking so long to respond to your thoughts. <BR/><BR/>I totally agree with you about we need to glorify God with whatever is in our lives (Phil 4:8).<BR/><BR/>I'm curious about your thought being holy and peculiar if that means we are to fortify ourselves from the world or to be salt in the world? Let me know what you think.Mark E. Eadeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09619556378258957283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13307179.post-17079142804557788332009-02-15T10:49:00.000-06:002009-02-15T10:49:00.000-06:00Hey Pator Mark. Good questions.Should Disney be ca...Hey Pator Mark. Good questions.<BR/>Should Disney be called a family channel. Not anymore.<BR/>Should christians watch this programing?<BR/> As with anything, does it glorify God? My opinion is, if it dosn't we don't watch it. This eliminates a lot of TV shows. <BR/>Are these shows typical of the American Family? <BR/>I really don't know. As believers we have been called to a life of holiness and to be a peculiar people. Other words, we should stand out and have biblical answers to life's issues.<BR/>I'm really looking forward to your response.<BR/>Joe MeyerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com