- araratchurch
- Feb 16
- 4 min read
“Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.””
2 Corinthians 6:14-18 NLT
Last time, we began our consideration of whether it is possible to be “so heavenly minded that you’re no earthly good,”with looking at the concept of “Celestial Armenia,” that has become a sticking point between the Apostolic Armenian Church in Armenia, and their secular government leaders. Indeed, we discovered that this struggle, this controversy, concerning allegiance to the Kingdom of God, is not limited to Christian Armenians. Rather, it is common to all of those who choose to follow after Christ. We looked at several witnesses, speaking from the word of God, confirming that it is right that our focus be on the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. Let’s add this scripture for good measure:
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
Matthew 6:33 NLT
There it is, if we prioritize the Kingdom of God and His way of being and doing, He will see that our needs are met.
Before moving on, let’s look at one of the more “famous” passages attributed to the Apostle Paul:
“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.”
Philippians 3:13-14, 17-21 NLT
Here, Paul makes clear that we are working for a heavenly prize; and part of doing so, involves putting the desire for the Lord and His way of being and doing ahead of any of our personal appetites or things the world system has to offer.
We also see that part of our focus being on the Kingdom of God, is to be “eagerly waiting for Him to return as our Savior.”
In our opening scripture, the Apostle Paul is encouraging the church at Corinth to be separated unto the Lord. Of course, they had to live their lives just as we do, in terms of their responsibilities, their labor, and their relationships; but none of these other things, are to ever usurp our allegiance and devotion to our forever King.
Child of God, although we live in this world, we are not of this world. However, we also know that we MUST be ambassadors of Christ in this present life. Therefore, far from being “so heavenly minded that we’re no earthly good,” our faith in Christ alone, our focus on His way of being and doing, our hopes for the future being set on the Kingdom of our God and of His Christ, and looking to our heavenly reward, make us the ones who can do the most good for hurting people and for sin sick souls. You see, as Christ’s ambassadors, we are to represent Christ and urge others to become part of the family of God. As well, in that we are living the Last Days before the coming of Jesus Christ, we also have the responsibility to tell as many people as will hear it, that our true King is indeed coming soon. And child of God, as He spoke to me to say when I am challenged, not only is our King coming soon, He is bringing His Kingdom with Him.
Before going, allow me to encourage you to take stock of what your faith is in, what your focus is on, and where your hopes are set. As followers of Christ, our faith must be based on the fact that Jesus is Who He said He is and that our reward is with Him. Our focus, that is to say, what occupies our thoughts, most of our energy, our affections, etc., must be on the Lord. And, in terms of our hopes for the future, they must be firmly set on our destination: The Kingdom of God, where we will rule and reign with Him forever.
Indeed, this very assessment, this ongoing assessment, of whether or not we truly are who we say we are as Christians, was, after all, the purpose of “The Next Spiritual Journey.”
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
- araratchurch
- Feb 14
- 5 min read
“I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth. “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.”
John 17:14-20 NLT
During what we have called here, “The Next Spiritual Journey,” the Lord led me to become aware of a controversy associated with something referenced as “Celestial Armenia.”
Sadly, this topic was presented in a pejorative way by an individual who sees the Armenian Apostolic Church leaders, supposedly embracing the concept of a “Celestial Armenia,” as being a roadblock to Armenia becoming a practical, sovereign, modern, geopolitically responsible State within its current borders. The reason those who embrace the concept of a Celestial Armenia are seen as being a roadblock is that this way of thinking, emphasizes a “paradise,” or Garden of Eden view, prioritizing faith and dogma over those aspects listed above: practicality, sovereignty, modernity, geopolitical responsibility.
Indeed, the detractors of what is called “Celestial Armenia,” maintain that the concept of the Kingdom of Heaven, a “Kingdom of Elsewhere,” cannot exist and is fundamentally incompatible with the sovereign Armenian state recognized by the international community. In fact, the current Armenian leader, Nikol Pashinyan, also sees this notion of allegiance to a Kingdom that is not of this world, as being in opposition to a sovereign modern country.
Before you glaze over, let’s break this down a little:
Armenia was the first Christian nation. Additionally, over 1 million Armenians—perhaps upwards to 2 million Armenians—were massacred in a genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire under the rule of the Turks. Armenians have paid a great price for their love of Jesus Christ.
But we’re not really just talking about Armenians are we? Isn’t it true that the world system rejects the idea of a greater Kingdom than that the world can offer? In reality, the battle against those who are “heavenly minded” is not limited to the Christian Armenians. It is the battle between light and darkness, between the kingdom of this world and the Kingdom of our God and of His Christ.
We have need only to make a cursory survey of the Bible, to see that the notion of God‘s Kingdom being above all other kingdoms, is ubiquitous therein.
In Daniel chapter 2, we see Nebuchadnezzar’s dream of a statue representing all of the major world kingdoms, being destroyed by a rock that then turns into a mountain. And that mountain is the eternal Kingdom of God.
John warned against love of this present world and what it has to offer.
“Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.”
1 John 2:15-17 NLT
The writer of Hebrews makes clear that this world is not our permanent dwelling place and that our allegiance should be to God.
“We have an altar from which the priests in the Tabernacle have no right to eat. Under the old system, the high priest brought the blood of animals into the Holy Place as a sacrifice for sin, and the bodies of the animals were burned outside the camp. So also Jesus suffered and died outside the city gates to make his people holy by means of his own blood. So let us go out to him, outside the camp, and bear the disgrace he bore. For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come. Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name.”
Hebrews 13:10-15 NLT
Peter made clear that the people of God are royal priests, part of a holy nation.
“But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.” Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.”
1 Peter 2:9-12 NLT
Paul warns the Colossians that their minds need to be set on things of heaven.
“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world.”
Colossians 3:1-7 NLT
In our opening scripture, we see that Jesus, in His Priestly prayer to the Father, made clear that we are no more a part of this world than He is.
The scriptures we have considered here are just a small representation of a host of biblical references to the fact that our ultimate allegiance should be to God‘s Kingdom, over which Jesus Christ will reign as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. As such, it is only right that our ultimate focus be on the Lord Jesus Christ, our future hope based on being with, and reigning with Him, forever, in His eternal Kingdom.
No, my friend, the controversy is not just about Armenian Christians. It’s about all true Christians. The world system is threatened by the knowledge of a Kingdom that is to come, not of this world, that will end all other rule forever. And make no mistake, the call still cries out, “Come out from among them and be separate.”
Next time we will continue challenging the notion that we can be “so heavenly minded,” that we are no earthly good.”
Peace to you.
Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!
- araratchurch
- Feb 13
- 5 min read
“Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.”
Psalms 51:10
Last time, we discussed how what goes on in your heart, will determine your future. What we did not do was to address what we mean when we speak of our heart. For our purposes, what do you suppose the Bible means when speaking of the heart?
Of course, we know we are not talking about the organ that beats in the middle of our chest. Although, if the heart doesn’t beat, life stops. Blood flows to the heart and from the heart; and if the organ we call our heart is diseased, quality of life is greatly decreased. And if the disease goes far enough, life slips away.
Therefore, using the heart organ, as sort of a metaphor for what the writers of the word of God meant when speaking of the heart, is a good fit.
Now, in terms of biblical references to the heart, we must first acknowledge that we are told that it is possible to have an evil heart or a good heart.
Last time, we employed some scriptures referencing an evil heart, and a good heart, and how the condition of the heart determines the person’s way of being and doing (behaviors seen and unseen). But before moving from that, let’s add one more scripture:
"Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God".
Hebrews 3:12 ESV
This warning from the writer of Hebrews, is sobering. Unbelief, allowed to be planted and grown in the heart, can actually take us away from the Lord.
So then, what is the Bible referencing when speaking of the heart? The heart represents or speaks of the hidden person. It includes our emotions, attitudes, intellect, even personality, all the things making us the unique person we are.
Interestingly, the heart is not predetermined and static. In other words we aren’t “handed” a particular type of heart. You see, other characteristics about us—the color of our eyes, or hair, or skin—is genetically determined, and can only be changed in appearance, but not in actuality. But the heart—who we are—is constantly being changed by those things to which we are exposed, whether those things be good, or evil.
Now, we do know, having been born in sin, we have inherited the sin stain, the evil “sway” from our original parents. But, thanks, be to the cross of Christ, the heart of the redeemed person, need not continue on in an evil way of being and doing.
“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Romans 12:1-2 NLT
Here, Paul is saying that we can choose not to be conformed to the world in our way of being and doing. Otherwise, how could we be ordered to do differently? Now, Paul references the renewing of our mind; but the mind, our way of thinking, the mindset, is certainly a large part of what is referenced as our heart.
Last time, we saw that the writer of proverbs instructs that the heart should be well-guarded. But how do we guard our heart?
You see, our eyes, our ears, our imagination, etc., all provide access to that which is righteous. Unfortunately, as well as that, unrighteousness can enter in through the same points of access. Therefore, in terms of guarding the heart, we must be vigilant, not consuming with any of our senses, that which is evil, that which is of the world, that which leads us astray.
Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, gives an outline for how to guard the heart.
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
Philippians 4:4-9 ESV
In his letter to the church in Ephesus, Paul instructs that the breastplate of righteousness protects the heart.
“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,”
Ephesians 6:13-17 ESV
But how does the breastplate of righteousness guard our heart?
It guards, our heart by making sure that we are always mindful of, and obedient to, God‘s way of being and doing. That is, we allow nothing into our heart that is not consistent with God‘s righteousness, nothing contrary to His commands.
The psalmist, in speaking to God, indicates that he can do God’s will, because God’s instructions are written on his heart.
“I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.” I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness.”
Psalms 40:8, 10 NLT
So, how to those instructions, get “written” on our heart? They get written on our heart by our meditating on the word, reading the word, thinking on the word, examining our life through the word, making the word of God paramount in terms of any kind of input, any kind of advice, any kind of instruction.
In our opening scripture, we see the psalmist, after a great failure in his life, asking the Lord to create a new faithful heart in him. Indeed, Jesus Christ came to give us that new start, give us that new heart.
Friend, we must not be sloppy with what we allow through the access points to our heart, to our soul. Praise God, through Jesus Christ, we now have the indwelling of His Holy Spirit, Who will lead us, Who will guide us, into all truth. However, if we will not listen to Him, if we will not apply ourselves to learning the word of God, if we are constantly feeding ourselves with the addictive junk the world system has to offer, our heart may well become diseased. And make no mistake, when all has been said and done, how we have treated our new heart given us through the work of Jesus Christ on the cross, will determine our future in this life, and in the next.
Peace to you. Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!