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Today is Monday July 19, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Psalm, chapters 144-150. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this link onto your browser: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-july-19

Today's Message: What Is An Infidel?

Interestingly, I find that the more I walk with Christ the less I walk in the world, literally. I might go to the store, to a restaurant, or theme park, but I am careful of where and when I go. It is important that, as Christians, we remain separated from the world. Of course, one can not avoid the world completely, but one can learn to enter without being one with them. “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” - II Corinthians 6:14-18. I use to think that an infidel was someone that had no sense, like another word for calling someone stupid, but that was far from knowing what an infidel is. An infidel is defined as someone who does not believe in and accept a particular faith or religion. A particular faith is just another way of saying a religion, so in other words, they are saying that if you do not believe the Jews, or the Catholics, or the Muslims, or the Mormons, or whatever religion they claim then you are an infidel. Okay, now, from the Bible point of view an infidel is not someone who does not believe in a religion, but in God's Word.

So many “Christians” make the mistake of thinking that belonging to a religion is what makes you a Christian. This is incorrect! It is actually not the person making the mistake, but the religion deceiving the people, namely the person who started that nonsense in the first place. For the Christian, an infidel is someone who does not believe in the Gospel of Christ, the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ and that He alone is the only way to heaven, not by works, but by their faith in Him. If you believe in and have personally accepted the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ than praise God because you are a true Christian and one of God's sons and daughters. It is not your religion that makes you a Christian, it is your belief in and acceptance of Jesus that makes you a Christian. Praise God! If your religion does not promote the Gospel and you think you have to keep working your way to heaven than you are being deceived. “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” - Galatians 2:16. No one is justified by their works, only by their faith in Jesus Christ, anyone who does not believe this is an infidel.

Now, as Christians, we are to love one another, but that does not mean we are to hang out with one another. The reason is that as long as one remains yoked (together) with infidels we do not grow nor get very far in our walk with Christ. If one truly wants Jesus to be Lord of their lives they need to separate themselves from infidels. “Blessed be the LORD my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me. LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him! Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away.... Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood: That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace:...Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.” - Psalm 144:1-4,11,12,15. People think that if they give up the world for God that they lose everything and can not do anything, but the truth is, those who all Christ to be Lord become happier and will even prosper well beyond what the world can offer. Oh, it can be challenging at times, but there is no better joy than living life for Christ. He is the one who gives us life. Praise God!

God bless those who are in homes with infidels, we can not always choose our home, but we can choose to stand firm in our relationship with Christ and not back down in our beliefs. God will take care of it, just trust Him and He will either lead the person to believe or He will take them out of the situation. There is a man that attends our church, he has been attending for a couple of years, he has been converted (accepted Christ), baptized, and joined the church. His wife was brought up Muslim and wanted nothing to do with the church, yet this man remains faithful and attends every week, sometimes with his son, but the wife never came, until last Sunday night. That is the power of God! Praise God! “The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee....The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them. The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.” - Psalm 145:8-10,14-20. It does not matter what religion one was brought up in, it matters that we know Christ as our Savior. I was brought up Catholic, if I died before I knew Christ I would have ended up in hell because I never knew that I needed to accept Him to go to heaven. I always thought I had to be good or I would not go regardless, but I was deceived and so is everyone else who was brought up this way. God loves everyone, but He will not save anyone who does not believe in His Word. Jesus is His Word and if one does not believe in Jesus one does not believe in His Word. He will save all who comes to Him regardless if they are a Jew, Catholic, Muslim, Mormon, or even an Evolutionist. Praise God! Whatever religion you were brought up in, He will save you if you come call on Him. Praise God!

Enjoy the rest of your day/night and an awesome week.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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