Confessions of 349-18-5171 by Ken Nordine

This jazz poet certainly made some interesting spoken-word tunes. One of these was about the ease of going with the crowd. It's hard to be a maverick and march against the tide of the world. But like he said in this piece, "Poof! There goes perspiration." Check out his tune here

As Christians, we're called to follow Christ and not the world. What he said in Matthew 7:13 and 14 (Bible in Basic English) is his criterion for entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven. "Go in by the narrow door; for wide is the door and open is the way which goes to destruction, and great numbers go in by it. For narrow is the door and hard the road to life, and only a small number make discovery of it."

We no longer belong to this world but are the property of Christ. Religious folks don't have his word abiding in them as we do. As Jesus told the ultra-fastidious Pharisees in John 8:43 and 44 (BBE), "Why are my words not clear to you? It is because your ears are shut to my teaching. You are the children of your father the Evil One and it is your pleasure to do his desires. From the first he was a taker of life; and he did not go in the true way because there is no true thing in him. When he says what is false, it is natural to him, for he is false and the father of what is false."

Neither do we wage jihad as do radical Islamists. As our Lord told Governor Pilate in John 18:36 (BBE) "Jesus said in answer, 'My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom was of this world, my disciples would have made a good fight to keep me out of the hands of the Jews: but my kingdom is not here.'"

And of course Paul wrote in Romans 12:2 (BBE) how we must adopt the mind set of Christ toward worldly things. "And let not your behaviour be like that of this world, but be changed and made new in mind, so that by experience you may have knowledge of the good and pleasing and complete purpose of God."

What is Mortification?

Another theological term which might confuse beginning Christians is mortification. In brief, it means killing fleshly desires.

We are attracted to sinful things through our old nature but we were set free from its mastery through Christ's death. The Apostle Paul knew this very well and warned those set free from sin's bondage to control their old cravings. As he wrote plainly in Colossians 3:5 (BBE) "Then put to death your bodies which are of the earth; wrong use of the flesh, unclean things, passion, evil desires and envy, which is the worship of strange gods;"

This sounds like strong language, and it is, but sin always leads to death. As Paul pointed out in Romans 8:13 (BBE), "says, For if you go in the way of the flesh, death will come on you; but if by the Spirit you put to death the works of the body, you will have life."

And since we are bought from our slavery to sin by such a great sacrifice, why go back to doing those things which only lead us to death? As 1 John 2:16 (KJV) points out, "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."

If that isn't enough, read 1 Peter 2:9 (BBE) which says, "But you are a special people, a holy nation, priests and kings, a people given up completely to God, so that you may make clear the virtues of him who took you out of the dark into the light of heaven."

The world is watching us to see if we're for real or not. That's why Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 4:12 (BBE), "Let no one make little of you because you are young, but be an example to the church in word, in behaviour, in love, in faith, in holy living."

So, how do we achieve such a high standard? Paul gives us that answer in Romans 12:2 (BBE). "And let not your behaviour be like that of this world, but be changed and made new in mind, so that by experience you may have knowledge of the good and pleasing and complete purpose of God."

Truly, the Holy Spirit gives us the power to live a holy life for Christ. As Titus 3:5 and 6 (BBE) explains, "Not by works of righteousness which we did ourselves, but in the measure of his mercy, he gave us salvation, through the washing of the new birth and the giving of new life in the Holy Spirit, Which he gave us freely through Jesus Christ our Saviour;"

This is the main focus of my next book called You Think You're Going to Heaven? Far too many professing Christians assume that Jesus will reward them for the good works they did. The sad part is that they were done because of less-than-honourable motives.

On Saturday, I'll post about how people use others for their own gratification. The song is from Germany's most influential band too.

Is Christianity "All in the mind?"

This all depends on your view of Christianity. Atheists assume it's all a fable while true disciples believe it's the truth.

I wrote in a previous blog regarding the Bible being true. When readers understand the culture, history, and literary genres, all sixty-six books make sense. Having the Holy Spirit teach you also helps illuminate the scriptures to you.

Christianity not only is proven true through archeology, prophesy, and its internal consistency but it is logical. How so? God encourages people to use their minds.

Here are a few scriptures which demonstrate this:

(Romans 12:2 KJV) And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

(Acts 17:11 KJV) These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

(Luke 10:27 KJV) And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

(Isaiah 1:18 KJV) Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

I could show many more verses which appeal to a person's reasoning ability but this post would become far too long. Suffice it to say that God gave us minds and expects us to search out the truth with them.

Sadly, many believers assume that searching the scriptures is only for the pastor to do. If I had done my homework, I would have discovered that the false teacher I wrote about in my How I Was Razed memoir was a fraud.

Next time, I'll deal with how cults twist scriptures to push their wicked agenda.