I Ain ’t In It!

 

I Ain ’t In It!

Revelation 18: ⁹ The kings of the earth who took part in her immorality and lust will cry and weep over the city when they see the smoke from the flames that consume her. ¹⁰ They stand a long way off, because they are afraid of sharing in her suffering. They say, “How terrible! How awful! This great and mighty city Babylon! In just one hour you have been punished!”

 

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Getting caught in the act made me feel uncomfortable. I looked at others who were involved to speak up but no one stepped up. When I went to one guy, he said “My name is Bennet, I Ain ‘t  in it!” as if to say, I have nothing to do with your punishment! Ain ‘t is slang for “am not.”

 

• I wanted others to join in with me, so maybe my punishment would be milder.
• I wanted someone else to speak up so perhaps my punishment would go away.
• I actually did not know what I was expecting by asking guilty people for help to jump in when I was caught.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, was shown the fall of the great city that caused people to sin. Those who had joined in sexual sin mourned over the great punishment imposed on the city. But they stood off in the distance, afraid of sharing in the suffering.

 

My Observations:

• There is strength in numbers until “I” get caught doing something.
• I feel comfortable when “everyone” else is doing the same bad thing that I want to do.
• My best path is to stay away from doing the thing in the first place.

 

Risking getting caught is not the problem, rather doing the thing I would get caught doing, in the first place is the problem. Did I say that right? I mean, I should fear doing the thing that upsets GOD in the first place rather than fearing the consequence of my sinful action.

 

Before I commit the act, I should ask myself, “Is this worth losing everything over this moment of pleasure or this act of hatred?” “NO!” should be the answer. GOD gives me a way out that the tempting great city does not offer. HE provides forgiveness where the tempting city provides death. I choose JESUS for my forgiveness.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer include the distance of the guilty people from the great city?
• Have you ever gotten caught for something you did wrong?
• Will you learn from your mistakes and stay away from easy sin so you will not have to face consequences today?

Declared Clean

Declared Clean

Ephesians 5: ³ Since you are God's people, it is not right that any matters of sexual immorality or indecency or greed should even be mentioned among you. ⁴ Nor is it fitting for you to use language which is obscene, profane, or vulgar. Rather you should give thanks to God. ⁵ You may be sure that no one who is immoral, indecent, or greedy (for greed is a form of idolatry) will ever receive a share in the Kingdom of Christ and of God.

 

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“How did I get here?” I asked myself. My “friends” were doing things that, at one point, I would have considered low down and underhanded. After a while, I was doing the same stuff or possibly worse. I was in trouble and had no one to help because they were in trouble too.

 

• I was afraid to turn to GOD because my sins were piling up.
• I was nervous of facing the consequences of my decisions.
• I felt unclean, broken and worthless.

 

“Act right!” was seemingly the plea of Paul as he addressed how people were behaving. He saw the people give themselves over to sexual immorality, indecent behavior and obscene, profane and vulgar language. Greed had permeated their every thought. The warning was stern.

 

My Observations

• If I confess my sins GOD is faithful and just to forgive me of my sins and cleanse me of all unrighteousness.
• I need to repent or turn away from my sins to mature in CHRIST.
• Nothing vulgar, obscene or greedy in me will be useful to GOD.

 

“Impossible” was my first reaction to this list. I mean I had pretty much committed the whole list and felt I had no place in GOD’s kingdom. Then I reread the first part of the passage. “Since you ARE GOD’s people.” GOD is the one who declared me righteous, not because of me or any action I did, rather it was because of JESUS and HIS action for me.

 

When JESUS died for me and was raised from the dead, I was now able to be cleansed of all my sins, past present and future. I was declared clean. But those who refuse the wonderful gift GOD has to offer will remain declared unclean. Salvation gives me freedom to choose GOD’s way. I am grateful HE guides me to sometimes choose HIM.

 

Challenge

• What “share” is the writer speaking of?
• Whether you agree or disagree with the list, what does improving your own life look like?
• Have you ever had a complaint about your bank account being low or for not having enough?
• Will you give thanks to GOD for what you have and where HE has you so you can grow in the way HE wants you to grow today?

 

Clear Example

 

Clear Example

1 Corinthians 10: I want you to remember, my friends, what happened to our ancestors who followed Moses. They were all under the protection of the cloud, and all passed safely through the Red Sea. ² In the cloud and in the sea they were all baptized as followers of Moses. ³ All ate the same spiritual bread ⁴ and drank the same spiritual drink. They drank from the spiritual rock that went with them; and that rock was Christ himself. ⁵ But even then God was not pleased with most of them, and so their dead bodies were scattered over the desert.

 

⁶ Now, all of this is an example for us, to warn us not to desire evil things, as they did, ⁷ nor to worship idols, as some of them did. As the scripture says, “The people sat down to a feast which turned into an orgy of drinking and sex.” ⁸ We must not be guilty of sexual immorality, as some of them were—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them fell dead. ⁹ We must not put the Lord to the test, as some of them did—and they were killed by snakes. ¹⁰ We must not complain, as some of them did—and they were destroyed by the Angel of Death.

 

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Wanting to fit in, I paid attention to the technique. I wanted to get the movement right for when I did it. The thug saw me looking and motioned a hush finger over his lips. When the unsuspecting guy was going to sit down, he would snatch the chair away. Unfortunately his prey hit his head on the desk behind.

 

• There have been many times when I saw bad examples and got straightened out.
• There have been many times when I saw someone else do the wrong thing and I stayed away from doing the same.
• There have been many times when I saw the consequences of doing the wrong thing, so I avoided it.

 

Paul points out that obedience is not enough. Many people did as they were told, but what was really in their heart was to fulfill their every lust and complain when things were not going as they wished. These people were killed and never made it into the promised land.

 

• GOD wants me to obey but also to do it with a heart given to HIM.
• GOD wants me to follow HIS rules, but do it because I want to be with HIM versus manipulating HIM.
• GOD wants me to praise HIM versus complaining about where I am in the trial.

 

Sometimes the examples don’t seem fair. I mean, I can’t even complain? No. In fact, the more I look at GOD’s word, the more I realize I act like Satan when I complain. He was not satisfied with GOD being GOD so he vowed to take over and do things better.

 

GOD tossed him out of heaven for trying to get his way. GOD wants me to align my desires with HIS and put my trust in HIS hands. I am glad HE gives me mercy so I can praise HIM another day.

 

• Do you have a complaint against GOD?
• Are you going through a trial and are blaming GOD?
• Will you heed the warnings and turn your complaints to true praise for all HE has done for you today?

Dare to Be Abnormal

 Dare to Be Abnormal

1 Corinthians 6: ¹⁸ Avoid immorality. Any other sin a man commits does not affect his body; but the man who is guilty of sexual immorality sins against his own body. ¹⁹ Don't you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and who was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourselves but to God; ²⁰ he bought you for a price. So use your bodies for God's glory.

 

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Trying to follow the “rules” became harder and harder when others were bending them or had abandoned them all together. Sex and how it is supposed to be performed is one of those rules that raises debates all the way up to law makers. I had decided not to look at porn or have sex outside of marriage. This also meant removing sexual TV shows. People thought I was acting extreme. I sat in my apartment, alone.

 

• When I gave into what “everyone else” was doing, I seemed to fit in.
• When I stopped doing what “everyone else” was doing, I was looked at like I was strange.
• When I told people I wanted to follow GOD’s rules I was treated like something was wrong with me.

 

Paul tried to change how we value sex. He attempted to raise it from being cheap and tawdry to its proper use. He doesn’t explain sex, rather the sin. He tried to educate everyone that the HOLY SPIRIT lives inside us, so we are supposed to care and feed HIM with the things HE desires.

 

• GOD wants me to avoid immorality.
• GOD wants me to know that my body is the temple of the HOLY SPIRIT.
• GOD wants me to use my body for HIS glory.

 

When I invite something into my mind, I affect the HOLY SPIRIT positively or negatively. I mean, when I lust, I am the one waging war against the HOLY SPIRIT who wants me to love instead. GOD wants me to surrender the war. But society may scoff at this.

 

So what is the answer to the scoff. Avoiding immorality these days will make me unpopular and seemingly weird. I am grateful GOD has forgiven me for my sexual sins and appreciates when I follow HIS rules.

 

• Are you fighting GOD with your views on sex?
• Do you think you can do things your way and remain pleasing to HIM?
• Will you reduce your habits, little by little, knowing each time you do, GOD is pleased with you?
• Will you also focus your mind on serving GOD and feeding the HOLY SPIRIT, who lives inside you, today?

True Freedom

 

True Freedom

1 Corinthians 6: ¹² Someone will say, “I am allowed to do anything.” Yes; but not everything is good for you. I could say that I am allowed to do anything, but I am not going to let anything make me its slave. ¹³ Someone else will say, “Food is for the stomach, and the stomach is for food.” Yes; but God will put an end to both. The body is not to be used for sexual immorality, but to serve the Lord; and the Lord provides for the body. ¹⁴ God raised the Lord from death, and he will also raise us by his power.

 

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After a string of disturbing news, I felt I had the right to “blow off some steam.” “Come with us to the convention” a few “friends” said. When we arrived, I was amazed. The streets were full of prostitutes, which excited the group I was with even more. I couldn’t do it, even though I was feeling low.

 

There have been times when I turned to sex as the wrong answer to my dilemma.

There have been times when I thought sex would fix the current problems.

There have been times when I fooled myself into thinking sex could bring enough gratification to overcome that trial.

 

Arguments over “what is allowed to do with the body?” are addressed by Paul. He explains that everything is allowed, but not everything is good for you. He talks about addictions, food and sex. These things can enslave a person, taking their minds off of their true purpose.

 

GOD made me for HIS purpose, not mine.

GOD takes care of my wants and needs.

GOD is the only path to true freedom, because it is HIM who provides.

 

“What about this life?” one may ask when it comes to GOD. I mean, we speak about the afterlife and eternal life, but what about the here and now? GOD cares about that too. HE “provides for the body” now and forever more.

 

GOD cares about me and HE cares about my neighbor. HE loves us all and wants me to be part of HIS love. HE made me for HIS purpose and wants me to focus on that. HE provides true freedom that addictions cannot. I am grateful GOD has purpose for me. My body is not “mine” but HIS.

 

Do you think your body is yours to do as you see fit?

Have you been enslaved by food, sex or another addiction?

Will you stop looking at temporary relief and allow GOD to truly set you free so you can live a life of abundance and purpose that only GOD has for you today?

Have Been Versus Is

Have Been Versus Is

1 Corinthians 5: ⁹ In the letter that I wrote you I told you not to associate with immoral people. ¹⁰ Now I did not mean pagans who are immoral or greedy or are thieves, or who worship idols. To avoid them you would have to get out of the world completely. ¹¹ What I meant was that you should not associate with a person who calls himself a believer but is immoral or greedy or worships idols or is a slanderer or a drunkard or a thief. Don't even sit down to eat with such a person.

 

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Over the course of my life I looked exactly like everyone else. I tried to fit into the world, so I picked up its behaviors. I read this list which included immorality, greed, idol worship, slander, getting drunk and being a thief. Yes, I have been all of the above.

 

• There have been many times when I have looked just like the world.
• There have been many times when I just wanted to fit in so I acted like “everyone” else.
• There have been many times when my own lusts made me choose to act like the world.

 

Paul gives a very strong warning about “someone who calls himself a believer but…” The “But” in his statement is very strong. He implies the person does not really believe JESUS is the only answer but mouths the words of GOD by mentioning HIM on occasion to manipulate people in immoral, greedy, idol worshipping, slanderous, drunken and thieving ways.

 

• GOD wants me to be able to confess when I sin.
• GOD wants me to be ready to admit a fallen state in hopes that I can be restored.
• GOD wants me to use the fruit of the Spirit, especially “self-control” to keep from falling back into the ways GOD dislikes.

 

Restoration can happen to anyone. I mean if I fall to being immoral, greedy, idolater, slanderous, drunk or a thief, I should be removed from leading in any gathering of believers as a leader. Fortunately, GOD wants to use sinners to spread HIS message.

 

If I confess this behavior and truly repent or stay away from old behaviors, then I can be restored and useful to lead people to CHRIST. Yes, GOD takes sin seriously and so should I. I am grateful for the HOLY SPIRIT who pleads on my behalf, who restores me and who leads me daily.

 

• Are you trying to stay away from people you have judged?
• Do you think you heart is perfect and other people have imperfect hearts?
• Will you stop applying this list to other people and examine yourself to see if there is something blocking you from speaking boldly and truthfully about JESUS today?