Basic HTML Version
-2-
good works. But that does not mean to be of them.
The admonition, "Be ye not uneq-qally yoked together with un
believers .•• " (II Cor. 6:14), applies not only to marriage or
business partnerships, but in social or fraternal contacts as well.
Notice the remainder of that same verse: "for what fellowship hath
righteousness with unrighteousness?
and what communion hath light
with darkness?" The passage continues on to say that we of the
Church are the very TEMPLE OF THE LIVING GOD, to which Christ shall
come, in His GLORY!
This same passage continues, referring to the worldly community
in which we live, "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye
separate, saith the Lord ..." (verse 17).
We are called into the FELLOWSHIP with Christ (I Cor. 1:9),
and also of God the Father (I John 1:3).
Notice God's instruction to us, His Church, in Ephesians 5:11:
"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness.•.."
So, what is the sum of Christ's teaching to us in
His
Church?
We of necessity must live in the world -- but must not be of it. We
must let the world see our<;OOD WORKS -- we must be friendly, courteous,
polite -- yet not be a friend of the world. " .•.Know ye not that the
friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will
be a friend of the world is the enemy of God"!
(James 4:4.}
God's COMMAND and instruction to us is DEFINITE! That is why
I never (since conversion 51 years ago) have "joined" or affiliated
with any of this world's activities. That is WHY, when I was sole
leader, and God's Church was smaller, our ministers did not in any
way participate, fraternize, or fellowship with the world in their
local communities.
But when I say there has been a tendency to water down God's
TRUTH in the Church -- to see just how close to this world, and to
Satan's way, we can come and still "make it into God's Kingdom," this
is one specific illustration of what I was talking about!
JESUS CHRIST is the HEAD of this Church. But I am His repre
sentative, and not Satan's representative! JESUS CHRIST is putting
God back into His Church and College!
Listen to what Christ inspired Peter to say: "But ye are a
chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a PECULIAR
PEOPLE...."! (I Peter 2:9.) Notice --a "PECULIAR people" -- UNIQUE
-- DIFFERENT -- unlike those around us in our communities. We have
been called out from them -- and yet one who was taking to himself
authority never vested in him, was encouraging our ministers to 9Q back
into them -- be like them -- participate with them -- become the ENEMY
OF GO�This"-fake-over of unauthorized authority had put inter
collegiate competition in the basketball courts of God's College.
One of the fruits of Satan's way, along with vanity, lust and
greed, envy and jealousy, is COMPETITIOf\ -- rivalry -- "party spirit"
as Moffatt translates it.
\
.
.