We Are From God

We Are From God

 

We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one--1 John 5:19 (ESV)

 

Faith, obedience and love are three great tests of where we stand in the eyes of God. Without faith, we cannot be pleasing to him (Heb. 11:6). Obedience to his will is the only way to obtain the eternal salvation we seek (Heb. 5:7-9; 2 Thess. 1:7-9). Without love permeating our entire being we will never be able to stand approved before God (Mark 12:29-31; 2 Peter 1:22). All who pass the test of faith, obedience and love will have no doubt as to whom they belong to while living in a wicked, sinful world ruled over by the evil one, Satan. All who live outside of Christ have made themselves subjects of the devil and are under his dominion. The God of this world has truly blinded their eyes (2 Cor. 4:4).

 

Long ago there came a time in which God looked down upon his creation and saw that wickedness was great so much so that the imaginations and thoughts of its inhabitants were only evil continually (Gen.6:5; 11-12). It does appear that we are now witnessing the same conditions unfolding throughout the world in which we live. Our own beloved nation is no exception. America has become a nation filled with anger, hatred, jealousy, covetousness, unbelievable corruption and immorality. Read the words of Romans 1:18-32 and 2 Timothy 3:1-5 and you read words that are as up to date as this morning's newspaper or the evening newscast. The works of the flesh spoken of in Galatians 5:19-21 have now become so commonplace in the lives of men and women they are no longer viewed in horror. As a result, adultery, drunkenness, homosexuality, lesbianism, same sex marriage and transgender foolishness are not only being accepted but glorified as well. Purity of life is openly discouraged as we are fed a steady diet of magazines, books, movies and television openly promoting and glamorizing a host of evil practices (James 4:8; Tim. 4:12; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 3:1-3).

 

All is not doom and gloom here. I know of a surety that the God I believe in and serve, the God who created all things and is the ruler of this universe is alive and well and he is still in control. I also know he is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but wants all men to repent (2 Peter 3:9). My friends, understand this, regardless of what human beings may do or become, in the end God wins!

 

Charles Hicks