Motives to watch TV or Using the Internet

Legalism will say anything to discourage people from watching certain programs. Only the Holy Spirit can convict a person to stay away from any programs that can harm his/her relationship with God. In the 1950's, A.W. Tozer made a comment regarding the society's influences called "Privacy".

The man who will not believe in hell must surrender his right to believe in heaven. No sin is private. It may be secret but it is not private. Regarding "Privacy" "Things have come to a pretty pass," said a famous Englishman testily, "when religion is permitted to interfere with our private lives." Had this man never read the New Testament? Had he never heard of Stephen? or Paul? or Peter? Had he never thought about the millions who followed Christ cheerfully to violent death, sudden or lingering, because they did allow their religion to interfere with their private lives? But we must leave this man to his conscience and his Judge and look into our own hearts. Maybe he but expressed openly what some of us feel secretly. Just how radically has our religion interfered with the neat pattern of our own lives? Perhaps we had better answer that question first. Only God could reconstruct the world and allow for such reversals of fact; but anyone can tinker at it theoretically. Had Hitler, for instance, been a good and gentle man, six million Jews now dead would be living (making allowance for a certain few who would have died in the course of nature); had Stalin been a Christian, several million Russian farmers would be alive who now molder in the earth. And consider the thousands of little children who died of starvation because one man had a revengeful spirit; think of the millions of displaced persons who wander over the earth even today unable to locate mother or father or wife or child because men with hate in their hearts managed to get into places of power; think of the young men of almost every nation, sick with yearning for home and loved ones, who guard the empty wastes and keep watch on frozen hills in the far corners of the earth, all because one ruler is greedy, another ambitious; because one statesman is cowardly and another jealous. To come down from the bloody plains of world events and look nearer home, how many wives will sob themselves to sleep tonight because of their husband's savage temper; how many helpless, bewildered, heartbroken children will cower in their dark bedrooms, sick with shock and terror as their parents curse and shout at each other in the next room. Is their quarrel private? Is it their own business when they fight like animals in the security of their home? No, it is the business of the whole human race. Children to the third and fourth generation in many parts of the world will be injured psychologically if not physically because a man and his wife sinned inside of four walls. No sin can be private. Coming still closer, we Christians should know that our unchristian conduct cannot be kept in our own back yard. The evil birds of sin fly far and influence many to their everlasting loss. The sin committed in the privacy of the home will have its effect in the assembly of the saints. The minister, the deacon, the teacher who yields to temptation in secret becomes a carrier of moral disease whether he knows it or not. The church will be worse because one member sins. The polluted stream flows out and on, growing wider and darker as it affects more and more persons day after day and year after year. But thanks be to God, there is a cure for the plague. There is a balm in Gilead. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).

Jesus cannot have disciples whose hearts are full of self-centered desires because disciples are to have Godly desires. Scriptures states that our own interests before God is sin, in God's point of view. The Word of God exposed the sin of self-interest and that we are to live God-centered and others-centered life. If we are seeking God out of my own selfishness (self-interest) other than our personal salvation with Jesus Christ is a form of idolatry which is sin. We can watch TV but its WHAT PROGRAMS we are choosing to watch is the issue. This is the same with "Internet", we can use the internet but at what "intent" we are using it for is the issue. For good or for evil?

Positive and Negative FEAR

There is a difference between doctrinal beliefs (negative) and practical beliefs (positive). A doctrinal belief is what we hold in teachings, and the practical belief is what you hold in reality and what holds you in your day-to-day living as those great faiths in the Bible who didn't have similar doctrines as we do today. Jude 1:22-23 Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. A faithful Christian will learn and see to it that his/her anticipations conform to the revealed Word of God and he/she has nothing to doubt or fear in life or in death. When people are teaching doctrines wrongly, fear is created. Certain doctrines have planted false fear throughout Christian history. Worst case scenerio, fear of something would happen is always often in everyone's mind. We are to "Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."--Matt. 26:41. Biblically, Christians are no longer "in the flesh": "You are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him" (Rom 8:9). "If Christ is in us, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness" (Romans 8:10). Through the Sword of the Spirit, we have the power to overcome any temptations and evil that we face in this world. Psalm 145:19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. To AVOID negative FEAR.....we are to add to our faith in obedience is listed In 2 Peter 1, verses 5 through 9: "make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins."

A Christian Teenager

Man, do I remember when I was a 17 year old teenager. Its NOT easy. This is actually spiritual growing pains. A Christian who is a teenager who is able to learn through mistakes will become a great Christian when he/she gets older. Without these temptations circumstances, your self-discovery of spiritual maturity will not be learned. Our greatest teachers are those circumstances you are facing because they are reminders that we are still sinners and we are to be trained into spiritual growth. When we most aware of our weaknesses, we are more inclined to collapse into God's strength and experience His amazing grace. "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Cor. 12:9). In 1 Timothy 4 explains that Christians must choose their priorities carefully like an athlete as to have disciplined lives forgo some desires that may hinder doing God's will and please God as you are after God's own heart. "An athlete who aspires to win the coveted prize does not indulge himself"(J. Oswald Sanders). Reading Hebrews helped me understood that I am to be aware of obstacles and hindrances I would meet during my life, to throw me off balance that hinders doing the Will of God that could entangle my life easily if I do not submit myself to God's power of grace. God's grace is more than sufficient in my life that I am to fix my eyes on Jesus who is my author and perfecter of my faith (Hebrews 12:2). Faith and Grace together is to "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13-14, NIV). What should motivate me like an athlete who trains for the Olympics to win a gold medal such self-discipline and willing to face the endurance of the spiritual training as Hebrews 12 and other biblical passages describes? What is my spiritual prize since I already have my gift eternal life? What are my eternal rewards? If I am to take my temporal rights and privileges, what happens to God's eternal will? I have learned that it is God's will to submit to the Holy Spirit and keep on filling me (Ephesians 5:18). Like an athlete when training, I should always keep drinking water so that I won't be dehydrated and feeling weak. With that thought in my mind, I should always keep filling the Holy Spirit in my life so that I am able to act and react any difficulties in my life with God's power (Grace). The power of Grace through the Holy Spirit is my strength that I am able to boast and win for Christ at all costs (see 2 Corinthians 12:1-12). "What I am great advocate of looking into the past, I could warn everybody against living in the past. The only justification for looking to the past is that we may learn great lessons from it and apply them" (Martyn Lloyd-Jones) By avoiding the mistakes of the past: "Those who fail to remember the past are condemned to repeat it" (George Santayana) By repeating the victories of the past: "Those who fail to remember the past are condemned not to repeat it" (David B. Calhoun) Continue in Faith: Acts 14:22 'strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," . Colossians 1:22-23 But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

Salvation and Living in Faith

Ephesians 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. There is a misunderstanding "living by faith" (Galatians 2:20) to mean that focusing on "our effort" based on works rather than obedience to holiness, adding faith and fruits through grace. Faith is a gift from the Holy Spirit, without the Holy Spirit, you can't have faith and without the Holy Spirit, you can't be spiritual. If you don't have faith, then you don't have the Holy Spirit. Faith don't come before the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit comes before Faith. Faith will express itself in faith deeds not just words alone. Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Whether I am healed or not, my faith does not determine by how enforce my beliefs in my own life. Just like by the stripes of Jesus I am healed (eternally saved). How can I enforce scripture in my life if I don't obey the Holy Spirit. Its not about whether I stay sick or not, its about whether I am faithful to God regardless my situation. We all to apply our faith through the Holy Spirit in our own life in order to live in a Christian life. A true Christian does abide in Christ. But, he doesn’t always abide. We depend on Him through the Holy Spirit for grace and power to obey. We look obediently to His Word for instruction on how to live. We offer Him our deepest adoration and praise and we submit ourselves to His authority over our lives. Abiding in Christ evidences genuine salvation. The Bible provides a clear understanding of genuine saving faith-true faith produces good fruit. In His parable of the soils and the seed, the Lord Jesus taught that, while unbelievers are unfruitful, those who are saved would bear fruit. Fruit-bearing plants thrive in the good soil that pictures a redeemed heart. Jesus said, "But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty" (Matthew 13:23). All believers are fruitful, even though not equally fruitful. Faith comes to the believer as a gift from God. It is not something that individuals are capable of mustering up on their own as in human effor. Were faith a work of man's own doing, man would be in a position to take partial credit for his redemption. We don't trust our government the same way as we trust Jesus. FAITH "is the gift of God…that no one should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). Faith comes as a result of the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit-He quickens our hearts to believe. Apart from the new birth, there can be no true faith. Faith is NOT works: 1 Timothy 1:4 says nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. that we are live by faith: Romans 1:17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith." Regardless of our situations (whether sickness or healthy), we are to overcome by faith: 1 John 5:3-5 "This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." That we are to selfishly die in faith: Hebrews 11:13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. Hebrews 11:39-40 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. Then we are to continue in faith: Acts 14:22 'strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said.' Colossians 1:22-23 But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. As we are faithful, we are to be strong in faith: Romans 4:20-25 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why "it was credited to him as righteousness." The words "it was credited to him" were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification. When we study the Word of God, we are to abound in faith: 2 Corinthians 8:7 But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.As we study the Word of God, we are to be grounded in faith: Colossians 1:23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. Finally, by knowing the Word of God and true, we would know the assurance in faith: 1 Timothy 1:12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 1 Timothy 3:13 Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus. Hebrews 10:22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

Malachi 1:11

My name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to my name, because my name will be great among the nations," says the LORD Almighty. Reading the New Testament about the Returning of Christ, Jesus' disciples knew that one day the Messiah would establish a glorious, visible kingdom established on earth, that the world would be the way God wanted it to be. They looked forward to the fulfillment of Malachi 1:11 prophecy. Today, we are living in the church age which I call members of the invisible Church (Spiritual). Meaning God is gathering all the people who will be a part of the body of Christ. When the completeness of the church age has come, the church will be taken out of the world (1 Thess. 4:17). If Christ were to call us right now, every believer would be taken up into heaven. And on the way up there, our lowly bodies would be transformed into glorious bodies like that of the Lord Jesus Christ (Phil. 3:21). When Christ came the first time, in John 1:11 said "He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him." The Second Coming of Christ, in 2 Timothy 2:19 says: "Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: 'The Lord knows those who are his'." When Christ returns, He knows who are HIS and He will take us home with Him.