Let us review God’s description of His people using the same Words He used: Peculiar, chosen, royal priesthood, Holy nation, zealous, doers of good works, bearers of His light. How is this possible if we speak like the darkness-loving world speaks, go where the world goes, dress like the world dresses, read the same books, watch the same t.v. programs and movies, listen to the same music, go to the same places, attend the same churches, believe and obey the same religious doctrines, participate in the same religious programs on the same holidays? When we conduct our lives in such a manner we are “keeping” those who know us in an ungodly manner by allowing Satan to use us to draw them into his religious camp. An excellent example of his success in corrupting the Institutional Church was voiced by an uber-religious church woman who confidently proclaimed: “God doesn’t like sin, but He won’t do anything about it.” This woman was obviously ignorant of the Lord’s Word with the possible exception of John 3:16, which she obviously miss interpreted. Obviously, she heard and believed what her false prophets had told her. Obviously, her religious leaders had not “kept” her according to the Lord’s Word–His rule book for living. Obviously, she did not know God and He did not know her (Mat. 7:21-23).

Because those she trusted to tell her the truth had failed her, and because she refused to study God’s Word “precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little,” and because she did not “prove all things of God,” and because she did not “study to show your(her)self approved of God,” etc., she will be among the masses of church people described by the Lord in Matthew 7:21-23: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name? and in Your name have cast out many devils? and in Your name done many wonderful works? And then I will profess to them, ‘I NEVER KNEW YOU,’ depart from Me you that work iniquity.”

With this in mind, let us diligently set a godly, Word-obeying example before all who know us. Let us be ever conscious of the influence we have on them. In 1 John 2:6 the apostle, operating under the power of the Holy Spirit, wrote: “If we profess to be His, then we must walk even as He walked” (while on earth). Because of Christ’s and His apostles “walk” (manner of life), they had an effect not only on their own brethren, but on the Gentiles (heathen). Ever obedient to God the Father, they allowed His “light” to radiate from them, thereby revealing His righteousness in them. He expects nothing less of us. To be continued. L. J.