* God sees SOULS, not PEOPLE

And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: 

for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

1 Peter 4:8

Millions of believers throughout the world do not have a Biblical world view. Their concern 

focuses on their own family, community, and church. Because they have not understood God's plan for the world, they are not actively fulfilling their part in God's plan.  Some do and say despicable things to people of other races, creeds, denominations and cultures without giving a second thought to the fact that God loves all souls.  He does not look at people in their natural state.  He is far more interested in that portion of man that will live on forever and it is for that reason He sent His son as a propitiation for all men.

That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.  John 3:15-17

Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;  Romans 3:25

John explains it in a nutshell when he says God would not have the world, [us], perish.  Jesus explains how we accomplish this:

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:  (Matthew 28:19)

And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.  (Luke 24:47)

Isn't this what we should be doing instead of spreading hate messages which go directly against God's perspective?  A key to effective communication of the Biblical world view is to select faithful men and women for ministry (service):   

And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.             (2 Timothy 2:2)

The word "faithful" means active, reliable, and trustworthy.

In the beginning of the church dispensation, 7 men were chosen to help serve in the church.  Among them were Stephen and Philip.  It was noted of Stephen:

And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, . . .  (Acts 6:5)

Unlike Stephen, not everyone will be receptive to the Biblical world view. But like Stephen, in sharing the vision, we must have the qualities of an active, reliable, and trustworthy response to God. Those with whom you share the "Biblical World View" must be faithful to teach others also.

As we share what we have learned with others, remember we are not called to share our own cultural views. We are to share the Biblical world view.

Culture is the acquired pattern of how things are done in a particular environment. It involves customs, traditions, language. . . actually all of lifestyle and behavior.

We are greatly affected by the culture in which we live. We come to think that our way of doing things is best. But we need to realize that no one culture is superior to another. Our call is not to change the culture or share our own way of doing things which we might perceive as superior.

Peter received this revelation when he had this vision:  

And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.  (Acts 10:10-15)

What is interesting is this, Peter was getting ready to have his first born again experience with a Gentile.  God expected Peter to receive him with open arms. 

Our only concern with culture is when practices are in direct violation of God's written Word  . . . Then we must confront and deal with them as sin. We are not called to take civilization to other cultures.   Our purpose is not to save society, but to save souls.  

Focus on the major task at hand: The teaching of faithful men and women.

First, we must embrace the biblical world view our self. When we have recognized our responsibility to the Great Commission and our heart has been touched with concern for the nations of the world, then we can become a model of the vision; we learn to love what God loves - which is all souls and to hate what He hates - which is sin.

As a model, we become a living example before our family, friends, church fellowship and even strangers; everyone in whom we come into contact regardless of race, creed, denomination and culture. Let others see our own concern for the cause of Christ and feel our heart felt concern for the nations of the world. Let them see us actively engaged in reaching others with the Gospel. The greatest teaching is not done by words. It is done by example. We see this in the life and ministry of Jesus.

Keep the vision as the central focus of your life and the lives of other faithful men and women.

It is not enough just to develop a biblical world view and communicate it to others. We must act upon what we have learned and now adhere to it:  

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Every principle of Scripture we learn should equip us to do good works. But knowledge without action is like faith without works. If we only learn principles and there is no active response to the knowledge gained, then it is a spiritual dead end. Receiving the vision is not enough. Communicating it to others is not enough. We must also obey the vision.

®     Begin to obey the vision right now, right where you are,   
®     Share the Gospel with others in your own neighborhood, community, and city,  
®     Work within your church in evangelistic outreaches both locally, nationally, and internationally
®     Pray for the nations of the world including your own.  

In the above manner, we can continue the cycle of reproduction of the biblical world view.  Individually and collectively as the body of Christ:

1.     Become a model of the vision we have received, then we communicate it to others by both example and teaching. 
2.     Keep the biblical world view as the central focus in our own life and in the lives of those we encounter. 
3.     As we join those we train in obeying the vision, we all become a model of the vision and the cycle continues as we communicate it to others.

In this manner, not only do we begin to break the cycle of hate and violence against each other, we share God's soul saving perspective!

Lord, I pray today that we keep our focus on You as we fulfill Your will to share the gospel of Jesus, who is our mediator between sinful man and a loving father, everywhere we go.  In Jesus name, we ask for strength, courage and a willingness to be obedient to Your will.  Amen

(Biblical Studies)

10/11/13
08/14/15
07/12/16
04/11/20