FLEEING EVIL

I feel like a bit player in a greek tragedy where I am caught in a fate beyond my comprehension or understanding. Thank the Lord for the Truth, and the Word, which reveals a drama, that began long before my existence, and has a definite ending.

That said, I heard from certain brothers and sisters in Christ, that we should flee evil. Ok, that sounds like sound advice, but practically, we live in a fallen world, and to simply believe that we are commanded to run or flee from evil would suggest that we would have to physically leave this world (1Cor 5:10) to avoid evil. Hey, by our own omission that we are all sinners, and will continue to sin, makes our continued relationship as brothers and sisters in Christ questionable (i.e., I should avoid you because you are a sinner)!

My limited search and understanding of Scripture, has not validated the simple act of fleeing evil or sinners is what we are commanded to do. Rather, my current view is that Scripture (1Thes 5:22, 2Tim 2:22, 1Tim 6:11) suggest we should avoid our personal conduct of evil practices rather than a simple act of association. That said, since we are sinners and weak, we would be unwise to subject ourselves to a sinful environment, where likely we would be enticed to conduct sinful practices or give in to our evil desires. Everyone has been blessed with certain or unique strengths, which suggests that some of us may be able to resist sin more times than not then others.

Hopefully, this is not just godless chatter associated with quarreling about words (2Tim 2:14-19), but I need your prayers with 1Cor 5:11 which states: "But now I am writing you that must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat." As brothers and sisters in Christ, we are tasked to police our church, which could be for the purpose of avoiding any perversion in the application of the Word in the day to day conduct of our lives. Hence, what are guidelines to say how we should judge and expel anyone since we ourselves are not without sin?

Well, here is my problem. The devil knows scripture better than any of us. Hence, I have little hope to win an argument or quarrel with Satan based on scripture based on my fallen world background. Plus, Satan will always play the sinner card, where beyond guilt, maybe some day someone could judge me and say that I should be expel. Hence, what is the threshold for declaring a brother or sister in Christ immoral or wicked? It seems to me the history of Christianity has too many examples of witch hunts, which unfortunately reflects how the church can be perverted from within in name of God.

Of course, it would be easy say that I should turn this over to the Spirit, which perhaps, the reason for this blog posting with hope the Spirit will speak through one of the readers. I ask for continued prayers.

Who is a Christian?

First, for those absent for the Sept.1 Mens Bible study, Ted did a great job in leading us this morning.

A closing question was posed on whether the President is a christian, as he claims he is? I have pondered this same question from time to time. For that matter, I even questioned the claims of Catholics, Mormoms and 7 day Adventist that they are christian. Then, a little uneasiness creeps over me (maybe the Spirit?) that reverses the focus of question on me being a christian as claimed.

Is being a christian defined in the Bible, or was its origin from the early Romans who used it to label early believers. I would dare to say that if being a christian is based on a man derived definition, I would hesitate to give creedance to its authority.

Hence, where does this train of thought leads us? Perhaps we should focus on our own belief and actions as being a "christian" rather than on others being christians. Essentially we could fall into the pitfall of judging others. In that regard, I defer to Matthew 7:1-7 (NIV):

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

"Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces."

Ok, is this a stretch to apply this Bible verse, to the question at hand? Maybe or maybe not, perhaps depending on the extent of judgment being made to answer the question. I believe some discrenment is warrented to determine whether one actions or beliefs are based on the Word merit my support, but it seems to be a threshold, where my judgment is beyond my authority (i.e., who is a christian). Perhaps this is a cop out, but I am only suggesting that Matthew would probably recommend some restraint in judging who is and is not a believer because we do not truly know the hearts of our fellow men or women.

This thread is posted to spark discussion, and hopefully, the Spirt, through your responses or input can enlighten me and others as well on this subject. We are tasked to pray for our leaders, presuming they doing God's worker whether they are true believers or not with respect to accepting Christ and God's grace.