In the World We Have – Circumstances
September 21, 2007 | 
Author GRACE, FAITH and LIFE
A Personal Statement of Christian Faith and Practice
IN THE WORLD WE HAVE – COMPETITION, CONTENTION, CIRCUMSTANCES AND SATAN
When we speak of the World Scripture
Most people are trying to find meaning and purpose of life in the things of the World.
What ever we depend on for meaning and purpose will tend to control us.
In the World, we have a lot of things with which we must contend. These are what we call circumstances, not all of our circumstances are listed here. In fact, the really bad stuff is not listed.
The World is not only our circumstances, but it is also our relationship with other people. We cannot always control our circumstances, but we can control how we let them affect us.
Each of these circumstances may or may not be a problem, they can be positive and uplifting for a while, or they can become difficult, frustrating and even frightening problems for us.
The book of Ecclesiastes describes every pursuit of understanding and satisfaction in this world as vain and unsatisfying. When we look to the World and things in this World for meaning and purpose, we are looking in the wrong place. We are looking for something, which only God can provide.
Each person’s circumstantial problem is different, each person’s spiritual problem is the same, no matter what the problem, the solution is always the same. The solution to the “fallen nature” of Humanity is the risen life of Christ.
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IN THE WORLD WE HAVE |
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Circumstances |
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| Family |
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| School |
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| College |
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| Job |
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| Church |
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| Friends |
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| Media |
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| Finances |
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| Time |
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| Health |
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| Experience |
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Besides the “Flesh”, what else are we up against?
How about our parents, or boss, can we put them in here, as affecting our minds, as part of who we are? Aren’t they always telling us who we are or who we should be? They tell us what to do, where we can and can’t go, how to behave. Parents and boss are in another category with everything else, which we have to deal with, called the WORLD.
In the “World”, we have all of these circumstances which are constantly affecting us either POSITIVELY OR NEGATIVELY [Examples] Circumstances are everything which are a part of your life. We are influenced by every situation. Things can be pretty good and we don’t think we need anything – we are in control. Then things go bad and what happens to our confidence and emotions and behavior? Circumstances (experience) all come in as knowledge, then along with our conscience, imagination and temperament, we think about them and they effect our beliefs, emotions and behavior.
Circumstances can consistently trigger the same response in us. We try to learn how to cope with all of our circumstances. Sometimes others learn how to pull our chain to get us to react in a certain way. The world always defines us by our weakest characteristic, or by some single event in our life, or by the biggest mistake, which we have made. God knows all of our shortcomings and always defines us as his children, as saints in Christ.
What else is in the World?
SATAN
Ephesians 2:2 2
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
What does Satan do? Gets us to believe a lie. Gets us to think on the wrong things.
Now all of this is our life, ala natural man/person.
What are some of the results?
– Happiness
— sometimes
– Stress
– Good times and bad times
– conflict
– hopelessness
– anxiety
Stress, unreliability and lack of any power within ourselves to really control any of this. In fact,in most cases, it controls us. The Bible describes this as being dead.
Topical Scripture
James 2:26
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Romans 6:23
23 For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
John 11:25
25Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
1 John 2:15-17
15 Love not the world, neither the things [that are] in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that [is] in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
The Old Testament shows the futility of man trying to live by the law. The Old Testament speaks of Jesus Christ who will bring a new and living way. What is the solution to this problem? WE NEED LIFE.
1 Corinthians 15:21
21 For since by man [came] death, by man [came] also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
Galatians 2:20
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
John 10:10
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have [it] more abundantly.
John 20:31
31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
Romans 5:17
17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)
WHERE IS LIFE?
This page last updated on March 8, 1997.
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Copyright © 1996 Daniel R. Boliek www.gflstudy.org
Posted in Life Study Series
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