Message from Pastor Leo

February 01, 2009

As believers, we’ve got to live in two different worlds at the same time.  Where we live and what we live for are very much at odds.  We live in this world.  But we live for the Kingdom of God.  You need to understand the difference, or you’ll act inappropriately and that’s when things start to jam up.  Remember, Almighty God is a jealous God, and you belong to Him.  You were His originally.  He created you.  But then you chose to rebel.  You squandered what He gave you, and you turned your back on Him.  And when you got to that moment where you were broken and crushed and ruined, and you said, “Oh, God, please forgive me,” He did.  He loves you and graciously pardoned you.  He washed you clean in His blood.  So you’re His, and He's serious about this.  You are no longer of this world.  You are His, and you must walk with Him.

In Ephesians, chapter 4, the Apostle Paul is teaching the church at Ephesus the same thing I'm teaching you:  How to live in two different worlds at the same time.  Paul writes: Henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart.

Paul is describing the pagans, the people who aren't born again, and says there's darkness over their hearts.  They're blind.  They’re living life according to their senses and their passions.  “Whatever feels good, do it.”  Paul says they've given themselves over unto lasciviousness – that’s every foul, perverted, sexual, lusty, greedy thing.  They’ve given themselves over to a worldly lifestyle.

But ye have not so learned Christ; if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: that ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.  And be renewed in the spirit of your mind. 

You’re not of this world.  You are God’s, and if you’re going to live for the Kingdom of God, you’ve got to change.  Your values have to change.  You can’t live life as you always have.  You’re to follow the example of Jesus.  You're to follow the words of God, not the ways of the world. 

Abortion is legal in the United States.  Homosexuality is legal.  But it's not right according to God, and therefore, you can't partake in it.  Cheating on your income taxes, gambling, lusting after somebody, and looking at pornography, it's all socially acceptable, but you can't do it.  You've got to “put it off”.  Don't allow that stuff into your house.  Don’t watch that stuff.  Don’t spend time with those who do.  Put off the world and put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 

And so the concept is easy: put off the old man, put on the new man.  Put off the old way of doing things, put on the new way of doing things.  It's that simple, right?  Well, the idea is simple, but the actual practice of it is where you will be tested over and over and over again.  And you’re going to need help, or no matter how good your intentions, you’ll be drawn right back to the old ways.

Well, don’t worry because God is on the throne, and He rules and reigns in the affairs of mankind.  And, He loves you and wants you to live for His Kingdom, so He is ready to help.  All you have to do is ask and be willing to change.  Pray and read your Bible.  Read your Bible and you’ll soon find that you’ve put off the old man, and are no longer drawn to the things of this world.

Read your Bible every day and draw closer to Jesus. 

May the Lord Jesus Christ Be Magnified!

Pastor Leo A. Giovinetti