Live ‘n let live?

LIVE AND LET LIVE? 22

Many people do not have a concrete ‘philosophy’ or ‘belief system’ by which they live their lives.

Many want a family life, loving their kids, earning a living, setting themselves on a materially progressive journey to an even ‘better’ life.

They want to be normal. ‘Normal’ will differ for different folks. But part of normal for some is expressed in the old adage – ‘live and let live’ – an adage that is void of any concrete idea of what is right and what is wrong.

So that ‘live and let live’ adherents, tolerate certain immoral behaviour in others. Although not embraced by them regarding how they live their own life.

They nonetheless tolerate it in their minds, as long as it doesn’t encroach itself on their ‘world’ or family life.

The idea is to make no moral judgement. Until we receive harm from those we are ‘let(ting) live’, and then see how quickly ‘live and let live’ evaporates as an opinion, when personal damage is incurred.

The folks who ‘live and let live’ may hold heterosexual views, but don’t want to condemn those of other persuasions.

If people want to take drugs they may concur – ‘it’s up to them…’ 

We will stick to a bottle of wine at, and after, a good meal. ‘What’s on Netflix that we want to watch tonight.?”

Then they have pastimes that they are somewhat passionate about – sport, keeping fit, art collecting, motorbikes, caravanning, perpetual home decorating, music, entertainment, concerts, collecting of whatever kind and so on…

“Not enough days in the week, what with having to spoil it with working for a living”.

There can be a thin line between what is ‘pleasurable’ and what is ‘sinfully pleasurable’. Examples would be – going for a walk in nature – a legitimately pleasurable experience. Sleeping with another man’s wife – not.

Many don’t know where to draw the line. Many differ in their opinions as to where to draw the line. 

Many draw no line.

A ‘no line’ life is like walking along a pier eventually the ‘no line’ philosophy will take you over the side into the chilly waters of no return.

‘Problem is’ – God has said where the line must be drawn. He differentiates what is permissible and what isn’t.

For many minor ‘indulgences’ in life God encourages freedom of choice that is decided by the individual’s conscience, in communion with Him.

For other things starting with the Ten Commandments God makes the line very clear.

In pop music culture over the years the lyric about ‘walking the line’ is to be found.

We all know that morals are a matter of opinion in this world order.

Thing is, God has His order. The order of the kingdom of God.

The kingdom of God is where His people are, Where his rule – rules. His presence rules internally for every born again believer in Christ Jesus. His Word is the lamp of the kingdom to guide us through this moral-less or pseudo-moral world.

Walking the line refers to an attempt to be true. The straight and narrow as it is referred to.

‘The narrow way’ that leads to life, is a biblical phrase.

But more than a phrase stolen by the pseudo-moralists of the world, it speaks of walking in an intimate and uninterrupted fellowship with The Living God.

Scripture tells us – Matthew 7:14

14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Live and let live will not do as a moral compass for society’s behaviour:

Matthew 15:14

14 Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.”

I know there’s an answer

I KNOW THERE’S AN ANSWER

The increase of evil on the planet should be clearly seen by any person with an ounce of moral sensibility.

Even when secular persons do not connect it to bible prophesy, they surely must wonder ‘what in the world is going on?’

The entrenchment of the minds of men and women with a mentality that is becoming more and more warped, should awaken us to the strange adverse/perverse wonder of it all.

And should move us to query that there must be an antidote answer to the moral collapse taking place in more ways than one.

Quite a few years ago Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys sang the lyric:

I know there’s an answer

I know now – but I have to find it by myself

Yes there’s an answer, to be found by yourself, (i.e. an answer for every individual), but it is not found in ‘self’. We can’t find the answer by internalising only. If the answer was only within ourselves we would – think that thought, – take that action and – all would change in our world.

Yes the answer is sought within – but although that’s where the ‘mechanism’ is to be found that receives the answer – it is not the answer in itself.

Meditation many consider is the key. But again, that is only an internal act we engage in. The question must be what are we meditating on?

Pseudo solutions to the mess – that comes out of the heart of man into the world, are wrongly sought within – in self-improvement, love of self, inner meditation on a void, – these (having mentioned but a few of what mankind offers to fellow humans as the solution to the sin dilemma) do not work. ‘Sticking plaster’ analogy comes to mind.

The answer comes from ancient writings, transcribed under the enablement of The Holy Spirit of God. Words of spirit and life. Given by servants of The Most High God and His Son The Lord Jesus Christ.

Yes the kingdom of God can be present – and indeed is ‘within’ but only when what can been received from ‘above’ as opposed to only ‘within’ is fully embraced – ‘within’.

There is a great deceiving substitute offered by many on the planet but it is not the solution that God – in the Person of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ provides.

Within the human body is the human mind and the human spirit. Concerning what comes out of man from within Jesus tells us:

16 “Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them. 17 “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? 18 But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20 These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.”

So the problem is within. But the solution comes from without – down from God’s dwelling place, through his recorded inspired scriptures. 

The day of Pentecost shows/manifests the solution to all followers of Jesus beginning in prayer. When there came FROM HEAVEN – the rest is history..!

See Bible: Acts 2.

footnote post

FOOTNOTE POST

NB:

After quite a number of years I recently decided to search for my own blog via a search engine. But rather than add the ‘truthnart’ part, I simply searched ‘seeds in motion’ and having thought my inventiveness with the title ‘seeds in motion’ was unique, I found rather…

To my surprise I am not alone in the world. I searched a long time ago and found nothing. This time I must conclude: ‘Whose copying who?’

In truth more like coincidence – I should imagine.

However the logo is unique (surely?) The motif is a sower going out to sow and he has so many seeds they are also trailing from his bag:- 

Women’s World

Women’s World – collage by Ken Riddles

Collage

Man with blanket – Collage by Ken Riddles

I enjoyed a season of collage. With a picture such as this – it should first be embraced in it’s overall landscape effect. Then, you might find it amusing to spot the various individual component parts – and discover what they really are.

Collage by using an onscreen programme (e.g. Photoshop), though it might be more ‘slick’, lacks the hands on, careful cutting involvement of the artist. At least that’s my take.

Gain that is loss

GAIN THAT IS LOSS

‘What has this man got that you haven’t got?’

One actor mused – challenging his mate

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His friend was quick to answer and to state:

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‘I’ve got many parts behind my name

I won awards on my way to fame

This man is not in my league

I outshine him in every way

I’ve embraced so many roles –

I easily hold him at bay’

                                ***

The lesser man of which he spake

– excelled in his new role

But all the oscars took their toll

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The pedestal-position and the adulation given

Left him drugged-up – and ‘hero’-worship driven

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He fell from a great height into chains of depression

The one who promises the world

With all that glitters unfurled

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Has death behind every submitted plan

That we are unable to see:

‘All this will I give you…

If you bow down and worship me’.

(Matthew 4/9)

Descriptive choice

DESCRIPTIVE CHOICE

Things began to cave in

Trees fell, mountains split, ground opened up

Wind howling, blizzards out of control

Ground holes ran into

Hideaways – found strongholds

Drenched and blown and torn

All objects in turmoil and breaking apart

Shaking shattering decomposing

Swirling tornados with hurricane force

Telegraph poles falling splitting apart

And this was only the start

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Calm rest entered into

Glimpsing sun behind dispersing clouds

Sweet breeze refreshing fan

Warm and welcoming atmosphere

Butterflies flying near

Bees buzzing from flower to flower

Offerings of waterfalls to refresh those under

Rivers to swim in – where splashing was permitted

Seashore lazing with horizontal repose

Undisturbed liaison with gently lapping water

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Take your pick and experience what you choose 

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NB: I had an uncle once – who loved the winter. And it stays with me that one of his reasons was – he loved to lie in bed at night with the wind howling and the rain making music on the window panes. Wrapped up cosy – and with a book in his hand that took him to faraway places.

Delusional

DELUSIONAL…

I perhaps have never been so conscious of the fact that Christian talk and the terms we use have been stolen/hijacked by other philosophies, religions and therapy gurus, confessing new age outlooks on life.

So that we, who know we are speaking as influenced by biblical terms and truth, are given the thumbs up by others who think we mean something other than what we actually do.

Which I think proves the point that the terms have been hijacked, inasmuch as we know by what they teach and say otherwise, that we are not on their page.

They would not be offering thumbs up, if they realised the change that the gospel calls for, in their lives. A change they have never made.

So spiritual jargon can express either wheat or chaff, depending on how it is interpreted in or outside a biblical framework.

I posted recently a blog under the title ‘One God’, I also shared a poem ‘The balm’, and unless I spell it out loud and clear by writing reams, it’s simply an example of how I could well be misunderstood or have what I write arrested and mis-applied.

But this is not just my problem, nor is it a new one.

We live in a world – not even conscious of the fact – that they have a deep underlying need for The Only Living and True God, (Jesus Christ The Lord).

The problem is, they think that the answer to their need will be found in themselves.

Many know not ‘what manner of spirit they are of’ (Luke 9/55).

Because you see, you are going to have to serve somebody. (Mr Dylan got that right) Lyric:

But you’re gonna have to serve somebody

Yes indeed, you’re gonna have to serve somebody

Well it may be the Devil

Or it may be the Lord

But you’re gonna have to serve somebody

If one summarises, there is only one of two spirits to choose from. 

Many in the new age category, give next to no thought to this aspect of meditation, belief systems, philosophies, or ‘spiritual’ experiences, i.e. ‘what spirit are you of?’

And in their blindness of heart and mind – they can assume they and we (Christians), are speaking the same language.

To change tack for a moment:–

I noticed recently a gathering of many – who in  celebrating a particular pop group had their hands and arms held aloft – lights were shining from wrist bands, and though each individual person no doubt had their own mental idea about what they were actually doing – it looked strongly like what happens at some Christian concerts where God’s people lift their hands (biblically correct) – to worship The King of kings, Jesus The Christ.

This scene at the concert shows the human need to spiritually reach out. The need to worship. But there is no consciousness of the real thing, that their hearts are really searching for.

I could go on and elaborate on my ‘thesis’, but suffice to say that strong delusion will come, and many will believe the lie.

We know that as Christians, as we enter the dark ‘cave’ of troubled times and sorrows, we somehow can’t quite grasp the foolishness of the prophets of Baal and their language. How can they use familiar terms with no understanding of the true meaning?

We might well ask: Job 38/2:

“Who is this who darkens counsel
By words without knowledge?

Concerning those – who would smile in agreement with us without knowing what we are really saying, – we hear The Word of God: II Peter 3/17:

You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked;

Often led away in the most subtlest fashion.

For many years we ‘older’ Christians, were aware of the fact that there would be a falling away, to the degree were, if it were possible, the elect would be deceived.

II Theses. 2/3

Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first…

Matt. 24/24

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Now that the hour would seem to be upon us and we somehow can’t believe it – we wonder (to put it in very human terms) how people could be so plainly stupid, in how they look for help everywhere but in the right direction.

I use the term ‘stupid’, to try and express how spiritual blindness defies spiritual logic, and is strongly deluding, and deceptive.

II Thess. 2/10-

and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness…

Heavy stuff. As the dark clouds get heavier, let us flee to The Lord.

I, as stated before in previous blog(s), do not have a strong eschatological standpoint (as yet). 

But, that things are growing increasingly evil I have no doubt, so that biblical terminology we can refer to, describes well, what is happening.

The answer to all the darkness, is in the words of scripture, regardless of your pre-, post-, or mid-, tribulation standpoint: Luke 21:

…28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”

‘Get on board’

‘Get on board’

When we think of the fact that only eight souls found their way into Noah’s Ark – it is indeed – a startling fact.

II Peter 2/5

…but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others;

Noah was not only a righteous man, having found The Grace of God (Genesis 6/8)  – but he was a preacher of that same righteousness.

Eight souls out of the whole population who (it would seem) by their own choice, refused to accept a place of refuge from the coming disaster. (It would seem that they did not believe it was coming, nor that their thoughts and deeds were abominable). Hebrews 11/

7 By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.

We are told here that

“By his faith…” “he condemned the world”.

I believe this is telling us that Noah didn’t personally condemn the people around him, but rather, because He believed God in all His instructions to Him, and was rescued, we are consequently led to conclude that the world refusing to have faith, remained unconscionable in heart mind and deeds, consequently perishing.

We see this also in the New Testament. By refusing to believe, and therefore refusing to receive, we are condemned by our own choice.

John 3/18:

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

If someone throws a life-jacket to a drowning person and they refuse to grab it, believing it won’t help them, then…??

Likewise the New Testament gospel asks for the commitment of our lives to Christ by faith. Otherwise we too will perish.

We are told that Noah was a preacher. Not just a very skilful builder – who warned others (we are not told how many) about the approaching deluge.

Warned obstinate corrupt humans whose minds were sinFULL, having reached a place of degradation and apostasy. Genesis 6/

5 Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.

In our post-modern world, there are geographical areas, communities, districts, were this description surely fits exactly: ‘Only evil continually…’

We find out that Noah was a preacher in II Peter 2/4-6:

5 …and did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly; 

As Christians we sometimes marvel at people’s indifference to the wonderful gospel and offer of salvation and eternal safety from this evil world.

But sadly we must conclude Luke 17/26:

And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man…

Eight persons? How many will ‘get on board’ and accept Christ’s offer of salvation in these last days?

Only God Himself knows.

Only you know if you have accepted God’s salvation ‘ark’, through believing in Christ as Lord.

Revelation 19/1

After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: “Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God…

The Stamps Collected

THE STAMPS COLLECTED

Stamps owned by ancient great uncle

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In his house once – as a child

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Batchelor – not a clean place

He did War and

post-war until he was gone

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It came into our possession

As the next generation on

A crinkled paper bag of elasticated bundles

Containing stamps – as in postage

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Trouble is –

He cut them too close…

The Little perforations were gone

Cohabiting?

Cohabiting?

There’s a tiny little fly cohabiting with me

Seasons come and seasons go

The tiny little fly is gone betimes

                        ***

Only to return at a particular season

“Where were you?”

I verbalise

No answer comes back – I’m not surprised

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And then he’s gone

No… no he’s not…

Don’t forget I can hardly see him

I clap my hands

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Welcoming his arrival – you surmise?

No I’m afraid I am a tyrant to the fly

I only seek his demise

Imaginary bird

Imaginary bird – mixed media by Ken Riddles