There are few stages in this principle – I present them to you for your own conclusions:
A) Proverbs 24:13 My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste:
B) Proverbs 25:16 Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
C) Proverbs 25:27 It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.
D) Proverbs 27:7 The full [satisfied – H7649] soul loatheth [H947] an honeycomb; but to the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.
In another translation:
(GNB) When you are full, you will refuse honey, but when you are hungry, even bitter food tastes sweet.
Let’s develop this last stage little more.
Psalms 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Those who engage in this work will see so much to correct in themselves, and will devote so much time to prayer and to comparing their characters with God’s great standard, the divine law, that they will have no time to comment and gossip over the faults or dissect the characters of others. A sense of our own imperfections should lead us to humility and earnest solicitude lest we fail of everlasting life. The words of inspiration should come home to every soul: “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” If the professed people of God would divest [desvestir, from des- (expressing removal) + Latin vestire (from vestis ‘garment’ )] themselves of their self-complacency and their false ideas of what constitutes a Christian, many who now think they are in the path to Heaven would find themselves in the way of perdition. Many a proud-hearted professor would tremble like an aspen leaf in the tempest, could his eyes be opened to see what spiritual life really is. Would that those now reposing in false security could be aroused to see the contradiction between their profession of faith and their every-day demeanor. {RH, May 30, 1882 par. 2}
To be living Christians, we must have a vital connection with Christ. The true believer can say, “I know that my Redeemer liveth.”
This intimate communion with our Saviour will take away the desire for earthly and sensual gratifications.
All our powers of body, soul, and spirit should be devoted to God. When the affections are sanctified, our obligations to God are made primary, everything else secondary. To have a steady and ever-growing love for God, and a clear perception of His character and attributes, we must keep the eye of faith fixed constantly on Him. Christ is the life of the soul. We must be in Him and He in us, else we are sapless branches. {RH, May 30, 1882 par. 3}
After I came out of vision, everything looked changed; a gloom was spread over all that I beheld. Oh, how dark this world looked to me. I wept when I found myself here, and felt homesick. I had seen a better world, and it had spoiled this for me. I told the view to our little band in Portland, who then fully believed it to be of God. That was a powerful time. The solemnity of eternity rested upon us. About one week after this the Lord gave me another view and showed me the trials I must pass through, and that I must go and relate to others what He had revealed to me, and that I should meet with great opposition and suffer anguish of spirit by going. But said the angel, “The grace of God is sufficient for you; He will hold you up.” {EW 20.1}
Satan is constantly drawing the people from saving light to custom and fashion, irrespective of physical, mental, and moral health. The great enemy knows that if appetite and passion predominate, health of body and strength of intellect are sacrificed upon the altar of self-gratification, and man is brought to speedy ruin. If enlightened intellect holds the reins, controlling the animal propensities, keeping them in subjection to the moral powers, Satan well knows that his power to overcome with his temptations is very small.–RH, Sept 8, 1874. (MYP 237.) {1MCP 76.3}
God must be ever in our thoughts. We must hold converse with Him while we walk by the way, and while our hands are engaged in labor. In all the purposes and pursuits of life, we must inquire, What will the Lord have me to do? How shall I please Him who has given His life a ransom for me? Thus may we walk with God, as did Enoch of old; and ours may be the testimony which he received, that he pleased God. {RH, May 30, 1882 par. 4}
To comprehend and enjoy God, is the highest exercise of the powers of man. This may be attained only when our affections are sanctified and ennobled by the grace of Christ: “No man knoweth the Father but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.” In Christ was “God manifested in the flesh, reconciling the world unto Himself.” In Christ was the brightness of His Father’s glory, the express image of His person. Said our Saviour, “He that hath seen Me, hath seen the Father.” In Christ is the life of the soul. In the outgoings of our hearts to Him, in our earnest, affectionate yearnings for His excellence, in our eager searching into His glory, we find life. In communion with Him we eat the bread of life. {RH, May 30, 1882 par. 5}
When we allow objects of minor importance to absorb our attention, to the forgetfulness of Christ, turning away from Him to accept other companionship, we set out feet in a path which leads away from God and from Heaven. Christ must be the Central Object of our affections, and then we shall live in Him, then we shall have His spirit, and follow His example. {RH, May 30, 1882 par. 6}
There are many who regard the expression of love as a weakness, and they maintain a reserve that repels others. This spirit checks the current of sympathy. As the social and generous impulses are repressed, they wither, and the heart becomes desolate and cold. We should beware of this error.
Love cannot long exist without expression.
Let not the heart of one connected with you starve for the want of kindness and sympathy.–MH 360 (1905). 154 {1MCP 153.3}
Love Stimulates to Nobler Aims.–Let each give love rather than exact it.
Cultivate that which is noblest in yourselves, and be quick to recognize the good qualities in each other. The consciousness of being appreciated is a wonderful stimulus and satisfaction. Sympathy and respect encourage the striving after excellence, and love itself increases as it stimulates to nobler aims.–MH 361 (1905). {1MCP 154.1}
If we would walk in the light, we must follow Jesus, the light of life. What constitutes the brightness of Heaven? In what will consist the happiness of the redeemed? Christ is all in all. They will gaze with rapture unutterable upon the Lamb of God. They will pour out their songs of grateful praise and adoration to Him whom they loved and worshiped here. That song they learned and began to sing on earth. They learned to put their trust in Jesus while they were forming characters for Heaven. Their hearts were attuned to His will here. Their joy in Christ will be proportioned to the love and trust which they learned to repose in Him here. {RH, May 30, 1882 par. 7}
A living Christian will cultivate gratitude of heart. He will seriously, earnestly recount the blessings of his life and the precious results of all his afflictions. He will recall every occasion upon which the hand of Christ has lifted up a standard for him against the enemy. The great love of Jesus, the infinite sacrifice made for man’s redemption, will be an unfailing theme for grateful, humble praise. {RH, May 30, 1882 par. 8}
Those who are learning at the feet of Jesus will surely exemplify by their deportment and conversation the character of Christ. Their spiritual life is sustained in the closet, by secret communion with God. Their experience is marked less with bustle and excitement, than with a subdued and reverent joy. Their love for Christ is a quiet, peaceful, yet all-controlling power. The light and love of an indwelling Saviour are revealed in every word and every act. Outward troubles cannot reach that life which we live by faith on the Son of God. Its richest, purest joys are felt when Christ is the theme of thought and conversation. {RH, May 30, 1882 par. 9}
The life of the soul cannot be sustained, except by the right exercise of the affections Heavenward, Christward, Godward. Repentance and faith in Christ for the forgiveness of sins are essential, but not all that is required. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.” “This is eternal life, to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ”–to know him by faith, to receive him into the affections. To accept Christ as our Saviour, we must see him in his work of atonement, and believe that he is able and willing to do what he has promised. The Christian’s life is now but just begun. He must, as exhorted by the apostle, “go on unto perfection.” He must bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. If we believe in Jesus,
1) we will love to think of Him,
2) love to talk of Him,
3) love to pray to Him.
He is supreme in our affections. We love that which Christ loves, and hate that which Christ hates. {RH, May 30, 1882 par. 10}
This intimate communion with our Saviour will take away the desire for earthly and sensual gratifications.
Honey – represents appetite and passion – as given by GOD they are not sinful in themselves – but once we made them more important than GOD Himself, they turn out to be our enemy, our false god – god of belly and god of passion. Once we “taste & see” something from the goodness of the LORD we turn away from these earthly pleasures and seek something much much more satisfying, which is the very presence of our “Desire of Ages.”
It’s not about “making my way to heaven by my self-denial” but about longing to be closer to JESUS and finding my satisfaction in Him. To be in “the center of His will”, not just to make what is the least requirement to be saved…
But…
Here is the description of the opposite direction:
We must gain the victory over self, crucify the affections and lusts; and then begins the union of the soul with Christ…. After this union is formed, it can be preserved only by continual, earnest, painstaking effort. . . . {FLB 135.4}
Every Christian must stand on guard continually, watching every avenue of the soul where Satan might find access. He must pray for divine help and at the same time resolutely resist every inclination to sin. By courage, by faith, by persevering toil, he can conquer. But let him remember that to gain the victory Christ must abide in him and he in Christ. . . . It is only by personal union with Christ, by communion with Him daily, hourly, that we can bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit. {FLB 135.5}
Luke 8:14 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.
“And pleasures of this life.” There is danger in amusement that is sought merely for self-gratification. All habits of indulgence
– that weaken the physical powers,
– that becloud the mind, or
– that benumb the spiritual perceptions,
are “fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.” 1 Peter 2:11. {CSA 22.2}
“And the lusts of other things.” These are not necessarily things sinful in themselves, but something that is made FIRST [Eve, Isaac…] instead of the kingdom of God. Whatever attracts the mind from God, whatever draws the affections away from Christ, is an enemy to the soul. {CSA 22.3}
Dictionary: AFFECTION
1. The state of being affected. [Little used.]
2. Passion; but more generally,
3. A bent of mind towards a particular object, holding a middle place between disposition, which is natural, and passion, which is excited by the presence of its exciting object. Affection is a permanent bent of the mind, formed by the presence of an object, or by some act of another person, and existing without the presence of its object.
4. In a more particular sense, a settle good will, love or zealous attachment; as, the affection of a parent for his child. It was formerly followed by to or towards, but is now more generally followed by far.
5. Desire; inclination; propensity, good or evil; as, virtuous or vile affections. Romans 1:26, 31; Galatians 5:24.
6. In a general sense, an attribute, quality or property, which is inseparable from its object; as, love, fear and hope are affections of the mind; figure, weight, etc., are affections of bodies.
7. Among physicians, a disease, or any particular morbid state of the body; as, a gouty affection; hysteric affection.
8. In painting, a lively representation of passion.
When the mind is youthful and vigorous and susceptible of rapid development, there is great temptation to be ambitious for self, to serve self. If worldly schemes are successful, there is an inclination to continue in a line that deadens conscience, and prevents a correct estimate as to what constitutes real excellence of character. When circumstances favor this development, growth will be seen in a direction prohibited by the Word of God. {CSA 22.4}
In this formative period of their children’s life, the responsibility of parents is very great. It should be their study to surround the youth with right influences, influences that will give them correct views of life and its true success. Instead of this, how many parents make it their first object to secure for their children worldly prosperity. All their associations are chosen with reference to this object. Many parents make their home in some large city, and introduce their children into fashionable society. They surround them with influences that encourage worldliness and pride. In this atmosphere the mind and soul are dwarfed. The high and noble aims of life are lost sight of [by beholding in wrong direction most of each day…]. The privilege of being sons of God, heirs of eternity, is bartered for worldly gain. {CSA 22.5}
Many parents seek to promote the happiness of their children by gratifying their love of amusement. They allow them to engage in sports, and to attend parties of pleasure, and provide them with money to use freely in display and self-gratification. The more the desire for pleasure is indulged, the stronger it becomes. The interest of these youth is more and more absorbed in amusement, until they come to look upon it as the great object of life. They form habits of idleness and self-indulgence that make it almost impossible for them ever to become steadfast Christians. {CSA 22.6}
Even the church, which should be the pillar and ground of the truth, is found encouraging the selfish love of pleasure. When money is to be raised for religious purposes, to what means do many churches resort? To bazaars, suppers, fancy fairs, even to lotteries, and like devices. Often the place set apart for God’s worship is desecrated by feasting and drinking, buying, selling, and merrymaking. Respect for the house of God and reverence for His worship are lessened in the minds of the youth. The barriers of self-restraint are weakened. Selfishness, appetite, the love of display, are appealed to, and they strengthen as they are indulged. {CSA 22.7}
The pursuit of pleasure and amusement centers in the cities. Many parents who choose a city home for their children, thinking to give them greater advantages, meet with disappointment, and too late repent their terrible mistake. The cities of today are fast becoming like Sodom and Gomorrah. The many holidays encourage idleness. The exciting sports—theatergoing, horse racing, gambling, liquor-drinking, and reveling—stimulate every passion to intense activity. The youth are swept away by the popular current. Those who learn to love amusement for its own sake open the door to a flood of temptations. They give themselves up to social gaiety and thoughtless mirth, and their intercourse with pleasure lovers has an intoxicating effect upon the mind. They are led on from one form of dissipation to another, until they lose both the desire and the capacity for a life of usefulness. Their religious aspirations are chilled; their spiritual life is darkened. All the nobler faculties of the soul, all that link man with the spiritual world, are debased. {CSA 23.1}
It is true that some may see their folly and repent. God may pardon them. But they have wounded their own souls, and brought upon themselves a lifelong peril. The power of discernment, which ought ever to be kept keen and sensitive to distinguish between right and wrong, is in a great measure destroyed. They are not quick to recognize the guiding voice of the Holy Spirit, or to discern the devices of Satan. Too often in time of danger they fall under temptation, and are led away from God. The end of their pleasure-loving life is ruin for this world and for the world to come. {CSA 23.2}
SCIENCE OF SALVATION
Christ’s cross has to bring us to our own cross:
And now the Lord of glory was dying, a ransom for the race. In yielding up His precious life, Christ was not upheld by triumphant joy. All was oppressive gloom. It was not the dread of death that weighed upon Him. It was not the pain and ignominy of the cross that caused His inexpressible agony. Christ was the prince of sufferers; but His suffering was from a sense of the malignity of sin, a knowledge that through familiarity with evil, man had become blinded to its enormity. Christ saw how deep is the hold of sin upon the human heart, how few would be willing to break from its power. He knew that without help from God, humanity must perish, and He saw multitudes perishing within reach of abundant help. {DA 752.4}
Satan told Him that if He became the surety for a sinful world, the separation would be eternal. He would be identified with Satan’s kingdom, and would nevermore be one with God. {DA 686.5}
And what was to be gained by this sacrifice? How hopeless appeared the guilt and ingratitude of men! In its hardest features Satan pressed the situation upon the Redeemer: The [SDA] people who claim to be above all others in temporal and spiritual advantages have rejected You. They are seeking to destroy You, the foundation, the center and seal of the promises made to them as a peculiar people. One of Your own disciples, who has listened to Your instruction, and has been among the foremost in church activities, will betray You. One of Your most zealous followers will deny You. All will forsake You. Christ’s whole being abhorred the thought. That those whom He had undertaken to save, those whom He loved so much, should unite in the plots of Satan, this pierced His soul. The conflict was terrible. Its measure was the guilt of His nation, of His accusers and betrayer, the guilt of a world lying in wickedness. The sins of men weighed heavily upon Christ, and the sense of God’s wrath against sin was crushing out His life. {DA 687.1}
Gen 6:6 And it repented the LORD that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him at His heart.
Israel of old had to bring their sacrifice to the altar of sacrifice. Even this was not to appease GOD, they were not saved because of THEIR sacrifice – it rather represented JESUS’ SACRIFICE, but more than that! What’s missing?!
It was an expression of detachment from what was dear to them but sinful because it became more important than GOD! If we don’t do this part then the cross is vanity, lost it’s purpose – we need to be those “few who are more than willing to break from the power of sin” – HOW?? By crucifying our desires:
a) from what what is declared by GOD as sinful
b) from what is not sinful in itself but we are affectionately attached to – more than to GOD: example: Adam to Eve, Abraham to Isaac.
“And pleasures of this life.” There is danger in amusement that is sought merely for self-gratification. All habits of indulgence
– that weaken the physical powers,
– that becloud the mind, or
– that benumb the spiritual perceptions,
are “fleshly lusts, which war against the soul.” 1 Peter 2:11. {CSA 22.2}
“And the lusts of other things.” These are not necessarily things sinful in themselves, but something that is made FIRST [Eve, Isaac…] instead of the kingdom of God. Whatever attracts the mind from God, whatever draws the affections away from Christ, is an enemy to the soul. {CSA 22.3}
When all heaven was silent and in big tension watching the struggle in the heart of Adam when Eve became MEDIUM of Satan now tempting him – GOD knew how terrible this is: because if Adam will not be able to detach his affections from Eve – GOD FATHER will have to detach HIS AFFECTIONS TO HIS SON YAHSHUA on the cross.
The serpent plucked the fruit of the forbidden tree and placed it in the hands of the half-reluctant Eve. Then he reminded her of her own words, that God had forbidden them to touch it, lest they die. She would receive no more harm from eating the fruit, he declared, than from touching it. Perceiving no evil results from what she had done, Eve grew bolder. When she “saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat.” It was grateful to the taste, and as she ate, she seemed to feel a vivifying power, and imagined herself entering upon a higher state of existence. Without a fear she plucked and ate. And now, having herself transgressed, she became the agent of Satan in working the ruin of her husband. In a state of strange, unnatural excitement, with her hands filled with the forbidden fruit, she sought his presence, and related all that had occurred. {PP 55.3}
An expression of sadness came over the face of Adam. He appeared astonished and alarmed. To the words of Eve he replied that this must be the foe against whom they had been warned; and by the divine sentence she must die. In answer she urged him to eat, repeating the words of the serpent, that they should not surely die. She reasoned that this must be true, for she felt no evidence of God’s displeasure, but on the contrary realized a delicious, exhilarating influence, thrilling every faculty with new life, such, she imagined, as inspired the heavenly messengers. {PP 56.1}
Adam understood that his companion had transgressed the command of God, disregarded the only prohibition laid upon them as a test of their fidelity and love. There was a terrible struggle in his mind. He mourned that he had permitted Eve to wander from his side. But now the deed was done; he must be separated from her whose society had been his joy. How could he have it thus? Adam had enjoyed the companionship of God and of holy angels. He had looked upon the glory of the Creator. He understood the high destiny opened to the human race should they remain faithful to God. Yet all these blessings were lost sight of in the fear of losing that one gift which in his eyes outvalued every other. Love, gratitude, loyalty to the Creator–all were overborne by love to Eve. She was a part of himself, and he could not endure the thought of separation. He did not realize that the same Infinite Power who had from the dust of the earth created him, a living, beautiful form, and had in love given him a companion, could supply her place. He resolved to share her fate; if she must die, he would die with her. After all, he reasoned, might not the words of the wise serpent be true? Eve was before him, as beautiful and apparently as innocent as before this act of disobedience. She expressed greater love for him than before. No sign of death appeared in her, and he decided to brave the consequences. He seized the fruit and quickly ate. {PP 56.2}
After his transgression Adam at first imagined himself entering upon a higher state of existence. But soon the thought of his sin filled him with terror. The air, which had hitherto been of a mild and uniform temperature, seemed to chill the guilty pair. The love and peace which had been theirs was gone, and in its place they felt a sense of sin, a dread of the future, a nakedness of soul. The robe of light which had enshrouded them, now disappeared, and to supply its place they endeavored to fashion for themselves a covering; for they could not, while unclothed, meet the eye of God and holy angels. {PP 57.1}
The 144,000 were all sealed and perfectly united. On their foreheads was written, God, New Jerusalem, and a glorious Star containing Jesus’ new name. At our happy, holy state the wicked were enraged, and would rush violently up to lay hands on us to thrust us in prison, when we would stretch forth the hand in the name of the Lord, and the wicked would fall helpless to the ground. Then it was that the synagogue of Satan knew that God had loved us who could wash one another’s feet, and salute the holy brethren with a holy kiss, and they worshipped at our feet. Soon our eyes were drawn to the East, for a small black cloud had appeared about half as large as a man’s hand, which we all knew was the Sign of the Son of Man. We all in solemn silence gazed on the cloud as it drew nearer, and became lighter, glorious, and still more glorious, till it was a great white cloud. The bottom appeared like fire, a rainbow was over it, around the cloud were ten thousand angels singing a most lovely song. And on it sat the Son of Man, on his head were crowns, his hair was white and curly and lay on his shoulders. His feet had the appearance of fire, in his right hand was a sharp sickle, in his left a silver trumpet. His eyes were as a flame of fire, which searched his children through and through. Then all faces gathered paleness, and those that God had rejected gathered blackness. Then we all cried out, who shall be able to stand? Is my robe spotless? Then the angels ceased to sing, and there was some time of awful silence, when Jesus spoke. Those who have clean hands and a pure heart shall be able to stand, my grace is sufficient for you. At this, our faces lighted up, and joy filled every heart. And the angels struck a note higher and sung again while the cloud drew still nearer the earth. Then Jesus’ silver trumpet sounded, as he descended on the cloud, wrapped in flames of fire. He gazed on the graves of the sleeping saints, then raised his eyes and hands to heaven and cried, Awake! Awake! Awake! ye that sleep in the dust and arise. Then there was a mighty earthquake. The graves opened, and the dead came up clothed with immortality. The 144,000 shouted, Hallelujah! as they recognized their friends who had been torn from them by death, and in the same moment we were changed and caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the air. We all entered the cloud together, and were seven days ascending to the sea of glass, when Jesus brought along the crowns and with his own right hand placed them on our heads. He gave us harps of gold and palms of victory. Here on the sea of glass the 144,000 stood in a perfect square. Some of them had very bright crowns, others not so bright. Some crowns appeared heavy with stars, while others had but few. All were perfectly satisfied with their crowns. And they were all clothed with a glorious white mantle from their shoulders to their feet. Angels were all about us as we marched over the sea of glass to the gate of the City. Jesus raised his mighty glorious arm, laid hold of the pearly gate and swung it back on its glittering hinges, and said to us, You have washed your robes in my blood, stood stiffly for my truth, enter in. We all marched in and felt we had a perfect right in the City. Here we saw the tree of life and the throne of God. Out of the throne came a pure river of water, and on either side of the river was the tree of life. On one side of the river was a trunk of a tree, and a trunk on the other side of the river, both of pure transparent gold. {ExV 11.1}
………
A Work of the Heart.–There are many who try to correct the life of others by attacking what they consider are wrong habits. They go to those whom they think are in error, and point out their defects. They say, “You don’t dress as you should.” They try to pick off the ornaments, or whatever seems offensive, but they do not seek to fasten the mind to the truth. Those who seek to correct others should present the attractions of Jesus. They should talk of His love and compassion, present His example and sacrifice, reveal His Spirit, and they need not touch the subject of dress at all. There is no need to make the dress question the main point of your religion. There is something richer to speak of. Talk of Christ, and when the heart is converted, everything that is out of harmony with the Word of God will drop off. It is only labor in vain to pick leaves off a living tree. The leaves will reappear. The ax must be laid at the root of the tree, and then the leaves will fall off, never to return. {Ev 272.1}
In order to teach men and women the worthlessness of earthly things, you must lead them to the living Fountain, and get them to drink of Christ, until their hearts are filled with the love of God, and Christ is in them, a well of water springing up into everlasting life.–Signs of the Times, July 1, 1889. {Ev 272.2}
Cleanse the fountain, and the streams will be pure. If the heart is right, your words, your dress, your acts, will all be right.–Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 158. (1857) {Ev 272.3}
Simplicity of Dress.–We are nearing the close of this world’s history. A plain, direct testimony is now needed, as given in the Word of God, in regard to plainness of dress. This should be our burden. But it is too late now to become enthusiastic in making a test of this matter. The dress of our people should be made most simply. . . . No one precise style has been given me as the exact rule to guide all in their dress. . . . {Ev 272.4}
Our sisters should clothe themselves with modest apparel. They should dress with simplicity. Your hats and dresses need not the extra trimmings that are put upon them. You are to be clothed with modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety. Give to the world a living illustration of the inward adorning of the grace of God. Let our sisters dress plainly, as many do, having the dress of good material, durable, modest, appropriate for this age, and let not the dress question fill the mind.–Manuscript 97, 1908. {Ev 273.1}
Revealing dress many so-called “Christian” women wear today is calling the attention of uncontrolled eyes of half-converted men and they set their AFFECTIONS to this direction and JESUS immediately but quietly leaves the heart. Our carnality is stronger than us and without Christ we can’t control it, it controls us. But Christ respects our freedom of choice, if we choose to follow our eyes and women chose to stimulate and provoke with their attractions, Christ can’t abide in our heart!
In Revelation you can find this urgent cry:
Revelation 7:1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.
2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea,
3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
Conclusion of the matter?
Back in 1873 Mr. Comstock supported by all protestant churches across the whole USA managed to achieve FEDERAL LAW condemning the condoms and their promotions. Since then it took exactly 100 years – that’s how I picture the angels from Revelation 7 were able to hold back the carnality of human hearts to take over – but again, in respect to our free will, we managed in 1973 to approve the abortion law, which negates what the Protestant America was standing just one century before. Sexual pleasures became “free from fear of pregnancy” and caused the twist in our brains. Pregnancy became unwanted and pleasures became sought after as the main purpose of sexuality.
While condoms were condemned sexual act carried with itself the possibility of pregnancy, which caused people to be more careful about it and preserve high respect to God’s amazing gift of procreation. But obviously if Christ is not the highest source of our affections inevitably our earthly pleasures will take over and push Him out into a sphere of formal religion.
The root of the Hebrew word for man and wife is “esh” – the fire. We even use the expression when some attachment is formed between man and woman that there was a spark formed between them. If everything is fine this spark begins a “fire” that glues them together and they start a new family. In the nature this union brings babies into this world. But we humans experience a controversy – we tend to do all we can to prevent pregnancy in order to enjoy the pleasures of intimacy. Which caused to invent unnatural means as condoms or pills. They in turn cause so many health problems and the worst – lead to abortion when these means fail.
This “honey principle” presents a challenge – what is the main source of our pleasure? Is it Christ or food and sex? Consequences are far reaching. Let me use only two illustrations:
1) Obesity is a worldwide problem. Just a little quote from CNN report:
“However, the world is now obese and we’re seeing the impact of that.”
The report revealed that every country, with the exception of those in sub-Saharan Africa, faces alarming obesity rates — an increase of 82% globally in the past two decades. Middle Eastern countries are more obese than ever, seeing a 100% increase since 1990.
“The so-called ‘Western lifestyle’ is being adapted all around the world, and the impacts are all the same,” Mokdad said.
2) Sexuality is not anymore a matter of private decisions between one man and one woman. Let this little video help us to see that actually we are reaching a colossal consequences running across the whole nations. But mainly the western civilized societies are the first to show the absurdity where all this leads. For the first time we have more elderly people than new babies. Obviously soon we will feel very dramatically the results since the new generation is not able to provide the means to take care of the older generation.
In our character building seminar “From Glory to Glory” right at the beginning you find three basic steps how the selfish person, a man controlled by the god of his belly (appetite and passions) can become Christlike, which is loving and lovable, selfless and self-denying:
1) Grasp the Truth as Personified in JESUS by our intellect
2) Endear this Truth as it is in JESUS by our AFFECTIONS
3) Submit to any Truth coming from JESUS by our will
Pastor is explaining that we can make the first step and understand the logical part of the truth. But we can’t with our carnal mind “fall in love” with the Truth! We must be born again, something supernatural must happen and we must not resist the attraction of JESUS LOVE. Only place where our selfishness can be broken is under the cross where Christ’s love is revealed unmeasurably. Come with me each day under the foot of the cross of JESUS and behold, contemplate this love:
Song 8:6 Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire [H784], which hath a most vehement flame.
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H784 אֵשׁ ‘esh (aysh) n-f.
1. fire (literally or figuratively)
[a primitive word]
KJV: burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot.
In Gen 1:1 the very first word is: BeRESHIT: בְּרֵאשִׁית This word contains the word FIRE right in the middle of it: אשִׁ
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