W hile it is true that we live in an evil world, our only logical question as believers should be, What can I do about it?” The Word of God, as with all such problems, holds the an swer. In Titus 2:12 we find the reason for our being born again, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, right eously, and godly, in this present world. Unfortunately, many bom again be lievers are trying to escape this world by retreating from society. It is pos sible to be bom in a Christian hospi tal, reared in a Christian home, edu cated in Christian schools, employed by Christian organizations, retire to a Christian community, die and have a Christian funeral and be buried in a Christian cemetery. The Bible doesn’t tell us that we are to be sealed off from the world. The opposite is true. We are to be right in the midst of it. Our Lord Himself petitioned, “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil” (John 17:15). Paul told Titus that there was to be a “teaching” process. If anything, we are to advance in the world and convert it. We are not to retreat from the world and be defeated by it. Now how do we know this? The very fact that we ask the question indicates that we are ignorant as to how this is to be done. Spiritual life is a learning proc ess. The word “teaching” is very beau tiful. From the original comes our English term “mathematics.” This is what our Lord told His disciples when He declared, “Learn of me” (or, “fig ure Me out”). To do this we must be adequately taught, the Bible being our text book. The procedures we are to follow are then suggested for we are to deny un godliness and worldly lusts. This is an age when we are told that there is power in positive thinking. This is no doubt true, however, we must never forget that there is also power in nega tive thinking. There are certain things we must avoid. The things to which (continued on next page) 5
how to shine in a dark world
by Dr. Ralph L. Keiper
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