In The Midst Of A Crooked And Perverse Nation

Phil.2:13] For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

[14] Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

[15] That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

It is our Father’s desire that we be “blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke in the midst of” this crooked and perverse world in which we live. And we are beseeched to worthy of who God has called us to be as sons and daughters in Christ. This calling is part of our “blessed hope,” and part of the “Spiritual blessings” that we are given by our Father to those who desire to be followers of Him as “dear children, and walk in love” as the perfect Man by Christ. And being “dear children” in the sight of God are those who are truly followers of God. And this is not the generic term of those who say that they are a ‘follower of Christ’ because they call themselves a Christian. Being a follower of God in this context are those who are not ‘just children’ in Christ, but those who desire to “cry Abba Father, and “walk in love, as Christ also.” And walking in His selfless identity we would also be that living sacrifice unto God as those who are “dear” unto Him.

Eph.5:1] Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

[2] And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

Moreover, those who desire to cry “Abba Father” do so based upon an ‘endearing’ call unto the Father as not just “Father,” but Abba Father. And that is also the case with “children” who desire to be followers of God the Father, they too would be viewed as “dear” unto Him. But why is it that many do not see this inheritance? They view God’s word with a ‘different perspective’ than others. Two sons can have the same instruction from their parents, but the maturity and experience determines how the child will understand this knowledge, and how he will now walk. If the parent gives instructions to mow the lawn, the 18 year old son knows he will ride and operate the mower, and the 8 year old child knows that he will clean up and help, he knows riding the mower is for the mature son, and he is not “able to labor with the parents in this capacity yet. But the mature son also learns how to not only ride the mower, but he is able to put gas in it, and maintenance it, but also he himself now can teach the other ‘younger’ children how to clean and mow as well.

2Cor.6:16] And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

[17] Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,

[18] And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

2Cor.7:1] Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Furthermore, notice the Father says, “and I WILL BE a Father unto you.” This is an adoption and a new identity as sons and daughters apart from the previous identity that they had in Christ “among” this world, and it is God’s desire that we would desire to come out from among this world and be ‘received’ by God to NOW educate us as His sons and daughters, but this can only be done when we are not being ‘fathered’ by this world. And the “riches of the glory of this inheritance” is what the son sees with “eyes” of his understanding, he knows what is the “hope of His calling,” and he also desires to operate upon the exceeding greatness of His power as a son. This son is a dear child who knows these things, and desires this “unspeakable gift,” and our Father predestined and foreknew that He would have a Body of “dear Children,” or a Body of “sons and daughters,” this is the adoption of children. These are the “promises” that we have as “sons and daughters” from our Father the Lord Almighty!

Eph.1:3] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

[4] According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

[5] Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

Therefore, ‘shining as His lights’ consists walking, and living as His sons and daughters in the midst of Satan’s “night,” and not longer being conformed to this world, but now being conformed to the image of His Son. And we are taught to “BE” transformed by the renewing of our mind. But transformed from what? We are told to “put on” the armor of light, and the whole armor of God, and put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and we are putting on as the elect charity; but what, or ‘who’ are we covering up? And we are told to ‘examine our selves, and prove ourselves,’ and Paul says, “know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in” us. And we ought to know that we are given the excellency of the power of God as salvation from this crooked and perverse world, and “hope” unto a new identity.

Eph.6:10] Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

[11] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

[12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Finally, We have been given a “blessed hope” unto the life of “the adoption of children.” And we are given salvation from the darkness of Satan’s night, and from our being “tempted,” or “enticed” by this ungodly world. But we might not think that we could be walking according to the “course of this world,” but we must understand that we were saved out of Adam, and we are given His Word to save us from the “power of Satan,” and the identity of this world and the “power of the air.” But as we walk in the midst of Satan’s night, we are taught to “put on” the “whole Armour of God” that we may be “able to withstand in the evil day,” and we are right in the midst of that evil day today.

Eph.6:13] Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

[14] Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

[15] And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

[16] Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

[17] And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Rod Jones