Associations
Good Morning,
Over the years, I have heard, as most have, that liberals love the environment, they love nature, hate cutting down trees, and are against the pollution that hurts birds or fish. I am not going to say I know what is in their hearts, but I can notice their associations.
The trouble I have believing these folks is that I have never met a “love nature” person that cared one bit for God, the One Who created nature. I have never met a “love life and animals” person who was not pro-abortion. Their associations reveal their heart. These people do not love life; they want something to replace God in the lives of humanity. Basically, they are satanic, for it is he who desires that we love anything BUT God.
Romans 1:25 “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.”
Leaving environmentalism and going to the churches of America, allow me to point out similar issues. There is an entire movement in American churches that embraces the “praise and worship” kind of church service. I do not care for the music they love, it is hardly different from the music I left when I got saved. If those churches had bus ministries, soul winning, and preached on living a holy life, I might be more tolerant of their views. (But as yet, I have not heard of any who do so.) Typically, these churches are worldly, financially motivated, or over-spiritually motivated. Generally, they seek to fit into the world’s mold in personal appearance, activities, and even the atmosphere of the church.
I have noticed that instead of striving to live holy, I see worldly lifestyles, a lack of concern for the lost or the poor, and I never see a bus ministry.
The problem is not simply the “warm and fuzzy” so-called worship, but that which it is associated is that kind of worship.
I am as far from Calvinism as I could be, and as such, when I notice that the Calvary Chapel movement is heavily Calvinistic (with some Pentecostal “add works to salvation” teachings), then I can have nothing to do with their style of church ministry. They are not bad people and I rejoice anytime Christ is preached, but I want nothing to do with their form of worship. That “style of worship” is associated with theological heresy.
Democrats are typically pro-choice, pro-queer, and anti-Constitution and Bill of Rights. Democrats will almost always choose big government and seek control of the daily lives and decisions of citizens. When a Christian, politician, or news station associates strongly with Democrats, I keep my distance. I had to distance myself from the crowd of religious people who sided with Democrats in forcing citizens to wear masks and get vaccinated. I had no problem with voluntary masks or vaccinations, for American values are based upon freedom – I had a problem when it became compulsory.
Our associations do reveal much of our heart and true values. When a Christian teen seeks the world’s dances, dress, and activities, I cannot help but believe there is something else occupying their heart besides Christ.
Galatians 5:24 “And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.”
Consider these passages and notice how much God urges His children to guard their “associations.”
1 Corinthians 5:11 “But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.”
Romans 16:17 “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.”
2 Thessalonians 3:6 “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.”
2 John 10 "If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:”
Psalm 101:4 “A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person."
vs. 5 “Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.”
vs. 6 “Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he shall serve me.”
More can be found in these verses: Proverbs 9:6; 12:11; 13:20; 22:24.
It does matter with whom folks associate; it is a help for all of us to see more clearly what is true.
Pastor