THE FIGHT IS ON

I was on my morning walk (7/23/22)... as I was about to pass this house, a ferocious dog behind a fence started barking at me, and leaping up and down trying to jump over the fence. He barked so viciously at me as I was approaching that it made me stop and consider going in the street to pass by. I decided to stay on the sidewalk and kept moving briskly past him.

On my way back, remembering the dog, I did decide to walk in the street by the curb. That same dog that barked at me so viciously as I was going, had gotten out of the fence and came charging at me. I raised my little one pound weights and told that dog to "Come on!!!" He turned and ran away. Then he came at me a second time, barking ferociously. I got louder, "Come on!!!" In that moment, all fear left me and I was prepared to beat the snot out of that dog with my weights. He turned and ran away again, this time he was looking for a way to get back inside that fence. I was somewhat surprised myself by my reaction to the dog... inviting him to a fight, instead of running away screaming.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove

HEAVENLY MINDED

I STRONGLY DISagree.

Oliver Wendell Holmes said, "Some people are so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good." I disagree. I think some people are so carnal minded that they are no heavenly good.

Romans 8:6 (NKJV) To be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Can a true Christian be carnal? In answering this question, let’s first define the term “carnal.” The word “carnal” is translated from the Greek word sarkikos, which literally means “fleshly” - as opposed to spiritually. The key thing to understand about carnality is that a Christian can be carnal for a period of time, but a true Christian will not remain carnal for a lifetime. We are being transformed into the image of Christ, that means we should be steadily decreasing in carnality and increasing in spirituality.

2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJV But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Romans 8:7 NKJV Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. (That's what it means to walk in darkness. The unbeliever does not have the Holy Spirit in them to help them live righteously.)

Colossians 3:2 NKJV Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

Luke 12:34 NKJV For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The question is not whether a person who claims to be a Christian, but lives carnally, has lost his salvation, but the question is whether that person was ever truly saved in the first place (1 John 2:19).

1 John 2:19 NKJV They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.

Jesus will say to them on judgment day, "I never knew you. Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!" (Matt.7:23)

God disciplines His loved ones when we are stubborn to conform to His ways.

Hebrews 12:5-6 NKJV And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives."

It is not possible for a person to come to faith in Christ Jesus and then proceed to live the rest of their lives in a completely carnal manner, without any evidence of being a born again Christian. It's not possible! A tree is known by the fruit it bears.

We need to become more heavenly minded.

Once again...

Romans 8:6 (NKJV) To be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Go in peace.

To God be the glory.

Dee Richardson, Voice of the Dove