I spent more than 25 years of my life living within an hour of Amish country. These members of a strict Mennonite sect that established major settlements in Pennsylvania separated themselves to avoid being corrupted by the world. While the term Puritan was conceived in the 1530’s when King Henry VIII repudiated papal authority and transformed the Church of Rome into the state Church of England, Christians must find the right balance between living in the world and isolating yourself.
But understand this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear]. 2 For people will be lovers of self and [utterly] self-centered, lovers of money and aroused by an inordinate [greedy] desire for wealth, proud and arrogant and contemptuous boasters. They will be abusive (blasphemous, scoffing), disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane. 3 [They will be] without natural [human] affection (callous and inhuman), relentless (admitting of no truce or appeasement); [they will be] slanderers (false accusers, troublemakers), intemperate and loose in morals and conduct, uncontrolled and fierce, haters of good. 4 [They will be] treacherous [betrayers], rash, [and] inflated with self-conceit. [They will be] lovers of sensual pleasures and vain amusements more than and rather than lovers of God. 5 For [although] they hold a form of piety (true religion), they deny and reject and are strangers to the power of it [their conduct belies the genuineness of their profession]. Avoid [all] such people [turn away from them], 2 Timothy 3:1-5.
One of the themes of 1 Corinthians is moderation. 1 Corinthians 6 highlights that too much of one thing can be harmful, verses 12-18. Meanwhile, Paul talks about being unequally yoked with another individual. Using Psalm 1:1-3 as a benchmark, the more time you spend with other people, the more their habits and tendencies will wear off on you. Therefore, it’s essential that Christians learn to balance ministering to the lost while spending time with your spiritual family.
Furthermore, [a]brethren, we beg and admonish you in [virtue of our union with] the Lord Jesus, that [you follow the instructions which] you learned from us about how you ought to walk so as to please and gratify God, as indeed you are doing, [and] that you do so even more and more abundantly [attaining yet greater perfection in living this life]. 2 For you know what charges and precepts we gave you [[b]on the authority and by the inspiration of] the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, that you should be consecrated (separated and set apart for pure and holy living): that you should abstain and shrink from all sexual vice, 4 That each one of you should know how to [c]possess (control, manage) his own [d]body in consecration (purity, separated from things profane) and honor, 5 Not [to be used] in the passion of lust like the heathen, who are ignorant of the true God and have no knowledge of His will, 1 Thessalonians 4:1-5.
Although it may seem easy to balance your daily time, not everyone is disciplined nor do people make good decisions. Perhaps, these are some of the flaws the apostle Paul noticed within the Thessalonian culture. Paul’s plea is as you begin to discern and know God’s will for your life, make sure you take the time spiritually to consecrate yourself. Just as Jesus modeled this in Mark 1:35-36, after you become refueled spiritually, it’s time to share the good news about God to the world.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 