A Christian Should Not – #1

As a Christian, I should not love the world. The Word of God says, 15 “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” 1 John 2:15-17. The Greek verb, agapao, which is translated “love” has the sense to love (care), to have a great affection or care for or loyalty towards someone or something. The use of the Greek negative “not” is the prohibition of an act already begun. The point being made that one is not to continue. Simply said, “Stop loving the world.”
As a Christian, I should not commit adultery. The Word of God says, “3 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? 4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? 6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 7 They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away? 8 He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.” Jesus shows the consequence of committing adultery. The innocent spouse may put away the guilty spouse. The only scriptural reason for divorce is fornication. Fornication means, “to engage in illicit sex” (Louw-Nida); “unlawful sexual intercourse…” (BDAG).
As a Christian, I should not sow discord. The Word of God says, “16 These six things doth the Lord hate: Yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, 18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, Feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, And he that soweth discord among brethren.” Proverbs 6:16-19. The Word of God says, “14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.” James 3:14-15. Christians should do all within their power to bring about perfect unity and peace as demanded by our Lord in the Word of God. See Matthew 5:9; John 17:20-21; 1 Corinthians 1:10; Romans 12:18; 14:19.
As a Christian, I should not sin with my tongue. The Word of God says, “8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.” Colossians 3:8. Not merely filthy talking, but foul-mouthed abuse. This is shameful speaking and is an old word for low and obscene speech. The Word of God says, “29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” Ephesians 4:29. All that comes out of the mouth that injures the hearer works yet greater injury to the speaker. Sin is SIN! Someone commits the sin of fornication we are shocked but what about when one becomes angry or uses filthy language?
As a Christian, I should not sin willfully. The Word of God says, “26 For if we sin wilfully after that, we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.” Hebrews 10:26. The last sacrifice for sin to be made was Jesus Christ. To sin willfully is the same as to fall away, that is, to apostatize from God. This sin is deliberate, a habit. It is a choice that the Christian makes.
The Bible is the Word of God, and it is clear to what one must do to be saved! Only the saved will be in heaven. Examples of those who were saved in the New Testament: Acts 2:14-42; 8:5-13; 8:30-39; 9:17-18, 22:6-16, 26:12-18; 10:34-48; 16:13-15; 16:25-34; 18:8; 19:1-7. One must hear, believe, repent, confess, and be immersed according to these examples! Jesus said, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” John 12:48.
Bobby D. Gayton

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