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What the Bible says about Christian and the World
(From Forerunner Commentary)

Genesis 3:5

Satan's words are partly true and partly false. We can see a pattern developing here. God gave clear instruction, simple teaching to Adam and Eve. When Satan entered the scene, he deceived them into disbelieving, distrusting God's plain, unambiguous directions.

John W. Ritenbaugh
The Christian and the World (Part Two)

Proverbs 6:6-9

We owe a duty to God and to the affairs of this life. We are to be diligent in our business in providing for ourselves and our families. God, at the very beginning of the Book (Genesis 1-3), when He put Adam and Eve in the Garden, says that they are to dress and keep it, meaning that they are to embellish it, to add to it, and to guard it from deterioration.

Part of our responsibility is to be diligent in doing our job for our employer. We are to be careful not to squander and waste what we have. We are to look ahead and plan to provide for future demands, taking into consideration that there will be emergencies like accidents, illness, death, natural disasters. We are to prepare for such things.

If we fail to do that, it is not showing faith that "God will provide," but rather presumption and irresponsibility in throwing all the responsibility on God while we ignore ours, failing to fulfill what God instructs us to do. There is much to be learned about God's Kingdom and getting prepared for it by carefully using our resources.

The danger lies in our human proclivity to tend toward extremes. The most common is following human nature's inclination to be overly concerned about the things of this life and devoting too much time and energy to it. Jesus points this out in Matthew 6:25, advising us to “take no anxious thought.”

John W. Ritenbaugh
The Christian and the World (Part Eight)

Amos 6:3

The Laodicean's efforts are aimed at this world, and in so doing he is telling God that he is making all his preparations for this world, rather than for the Kingdom of God (Revelation 3:17). The Laodicean may not be actually saying, “Well, the coming of Christ is far off,” but by his works, that is what he is proclaiming. His time, his energies, his efforts, his intelligence are all going in the wrong direction.

John W. Ritenbaugh
The Christian and the World (Part Eight)

Amos 6:5-6

This verse is a good to consider as significant, because it is those who sigh and cry over what is happening in the midst of the city that are marked as those who are not to be destroyed (Ezekiel 9:4).

John W. Ritenbaugh
The Christian and the World (Part Eight)

Matthew 6:25

This verse is the beginning of an argument, a piece of logic, by Jesus. When He later repeats, “Take no anxious thought,” He is referring to the thought begun here. It is what is called an argument from the greater to the lesser—since God gave us our lives and bodies in the first place, and since He has called us, He will also sustain us.

Has He provided evidence of this? He did it for Israel in the wilderness. God delivered them from Egypt. God did great things there, signs and wonders. He divided the Red Sea. Since He did those great things, would He then fail to provide them with food and water? The same argument goes for our calling. Since He gave us life and breath, and since He called us, Jesus argues, He will also sustain us. Take no anxious thought for what you will eat, what you will drink, or what you will wear. So He who gave us the greater, life and body, will also give us the lesser, food and clothing. So Jesus is saying, "Do not confuse your priorities."

John W. Ritenbaugh
The Christian and the World (Part Eight)

Matthew 13:22

The cares of this world can make the growing, the producing of spiritual fruit, almost impossible. So, what will we lack if we fail to follow Jesus' advice? Love, joy, peace, gentleness, goodness, meekness, faithfulness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). We cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24), and if we attempt to straddle the fence, we will be unfruitful.

John W. Ritenbaugh
The Christian and the World (Part Eight)

Romans 8:14

God gives His Spirit to those that He calls and leads to repentance, and they become His children. They become partakers of the divine nature (II Peter 1:4). They are led into truth for the purposes of spiritual obedience—good works and preparation for His Kingdom. Soon, they begin showing His characteristics.

John W. Ritenbaugh
The Christian and the World (Part Two)


 




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