Bad Company, Separate

Be ye Separate 

Welcome. Today we will continue our series, entitled "Bad Company." Last time we talked about the fact you were once, bad company. You were with them. You did the same things they did. You may have even been a bad influence over or to someone else.

Then something happened. Then you heard the truth. You heard how God created you. How God created all things. How God loved you so that Jesus had to come and die for you. You heard that if you accept this, you will be saved.

"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God." John 3:14-18

You did just that. You believed. You have faith and it is the faith in Him that you have become saved. You are in Christ.

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." 2 Corinthians 5:17

However, here is the thing. You are a new creature. They? They are not. What you use to do with them, they are still doing without you. As you now may see what is wrong with these things, they not only do not see, for they have the same eyes, but they ENJOY doing these things. It is as normal as breathing to them. As it once was to you as well.

I know it is difficult. I know it is hard. I know it is even hard to think about it. But look what the Bible says here.

“Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.” 1 Corinthians 15:33-34

You are not them. You are now a new creature with access to heavenly wisdom in all things. Seek that out. Look here.

"He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed." Proverbs 13:20

And here?

"Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceivest not in him the lips of knowledge." Proverbs 14:7

I know. It seems harsh. I understand that it seems I may be calling some of your loved ones fools, and bad people. I guess in a way, I am. Or the Word of God, this, {Holding up the Bible} this is.

It warns us of this danger.

"Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?" 2 Corinthians 6:14

Look, I'm not trying to offend anyone. I'm really not. But you are now a child of God. You now have access to Heavenly Wisdom. They, whoever they may be, are not. They do not. All they have is worldly wisdom.

"For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." 1 Corinthians 1:25

You have access to this wisdom now. As a child of God, you can tap into it.

"But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere." James 3:17

Look around you. Can you say Facebook? What about Tic-Toc? Youtube? Instagram? Our society is growing increasingly selfish. It is all about me. How many views? How many followers can I have? Look at me. Look at my life. Some platforms even encourage this behavior by promising money and fame to those who do such. But look here.

"But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." James 3:14-18

Now is social media inherently evil? No. Let's get that out of the way right off the bat. It is a tool. Like all tools, like a hammer, it can be used for either good or evil. You can use a hammer to build a house, or you can use a hammer to bash someone in the head, taking their life. A gun is a tool that can be used to provide food, protect your family, and or, murder innocent life. A gun is a tool.

Social media is the same. It can be used to promote self, pornography, or hate, or it can be used to promote the Gospel, the Word, and love. You need to use heavily and Godly wisdom when dealing with social media or pretty much anything in the world.

The Word even warns us about this.

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:15-17

I know many people try. I've tried. If you are honest, you would have to admit you probably have tried as well. Go to church on Sunday. Read the Word. Sing songs. Worship God. Then go out of the church and go to the neighborhood BBQ. Have a beer. Have another beer. Eat a hot dog. Have another beer. Talk trash about this person of that. Have another beer. Do things that make everyone laugh and egg you on.

Go to work Monday, not feeling well, but plowing through because you gotta make that money. You do whatever it takes to get ahead. In some cases, you may even lie, cheat, or steal. You work so hard that you go home and pass out. Before you know it, it is Sunday morning, off to church you go.

Never, during the week have you ever thought about God. You were too busy, you know, living life, to read the Bible, pray, or anything like that. But here you are. Sunday morning. "Praise Jesus!" "Hallelujah!"

"How great is our God, sing it with me
How great is our God, and all with see
How great, how great, is our God!"

Wait. What time is it? Time to head to that ball game party. Right? How many worship songs are we going to sing? When is the Pastor going to stop talking? I sure hope I get that raise/promotion. What's for dinner? Oh yeah,

"How great is our God?"

You get the point. We can not live in both the flesh and the spirit. We just can't. There is nothing wrong with BBQs. There is nothing wrong with ball game parties. Nothing wrong with trying to do the best you can at work. But where is your focus? What are you putting first? God? The alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end. The Creator of all that is, was, and ever will be? Of is your focus on self.

Jesus told us this.

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:33

Share the word at the BBQ. Share God's grace and mercy at the game party. Lose your Job? God will get you a better one. Jesus told us that we should not be anxious about food, drink, clothing, basically for any of our daily needs. Simply, He tells us, to seek Him first, and all will be given to us.

What are you spending your time doing? Reading or worrying. Praying, or fearing. Are you spending time with your Daddy? Or are you spending time with those who know nothing more than self and worldly wisdom?

Believe it or not, it really is true. What you put in you, you put out. You become what you are feeding on. Are you hanging out with bad company? Or are you joining up with good company? This is what we will be talking about next time. You should never try to go it alone.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I believed He rose from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, You shall be saved." Romans 10:9. You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature.

If you want to tell me, comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!