Just recently I have been watching videos of old photos from the early 1900's and before with the old buildings and people of the time.
They seemed like fascinating interesting times that one might want to go back to what would appear to be a simpler time. As I enjoy the photos I try to remember that nothing has really changed in mankind, perhaps more cultural manners and stringent rules on behavior back in the day existed but people were still basically the same.
The cultural Christianity of our time existed back in those "good old days" just as it does now. The church was a remnant then and is a remnant now.
Mark 7:13 "
13 Thus you nullify the word of God by the tradition you have handed down. And you do so in many such matters.”
This scripture was written in the time of the apostles 2 thousand years ago. What would make us think humankind has changed?
We have always been a remnant in all societies, that is, those who love to know God's Word and actually live by it.
Romans 9:27
"And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved,"
Romans 11:1-36
"I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” But what is God's reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace."
You might say, "but no one is trying to kill us now", it seems that way but anyone who hates us and the Word of God has murder in their hearts. They do not kill us physically but attempt to exclude us, mock and demean us a form of killing our soul through isolation. God said hatred was the same as murder.
1 John 3:15-17
'15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him."
When someone desires bad to happen to another person they are practicing murder in their hearts. When someone hates a person enough to discourage them any way they can from doing what God loves, are in their heart, murdering the object of their hatred.
We live in a hostile world now which is attempting to silence all the people of God from speaking the truth. We know this is also present in the churches when we ask for Biblical evidence to be brought to bear on any subject we are ignored and even asked to leave having been labeled trouble makers or called divisive.
We need not let this upset or unnerve us, it is to be expected in these last days. The devil loves nothing better than to remove our witness of strength in the face of trials. We must allow the Holy Spirit to work in us, so that we do not become like the world. Our witness is only good if we are different from the world. Notice I said "different", not "appear different" but actually "be different."
Our minds do not think the way the world thinks, we are polar opposites. Those who see us operating as Christ-filled Christians may want to know why we are different, why we are not frightened or frustrated by what is happening all around us.
When they inquire we can share that it is Christ Who changed us into a new creation, we do not fear anymore.
Philippians 4:6-7
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
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