Worldly Entertainment
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What standard should I use when thinking of watching a movie?
Q: I'm fifteen, and naturally, it's fun to go out and see movies with friends. A lot of my friends approve of films that normally bother me. They just brush off bad language, sexual references, paganism, and violence, and either ignore them, or say it won't affect them. What should be the content limits of a movie before deciding to watch it?
A: Great question, and one every new Christian faces within weeks of being saved.
When Jesus comes into your heart, you're at peace with God, and under His grace: Not law. Ro. 5:1, 13-14.
All things are permissible, but not all are helpful to your growth in Christ. 1 Co. 6:12.
He begins to scratch inside when you move away from the ideal path. That's why you're asking about this now. He's gentle, and beautiful about it, like a shepherd guiding young lambs into a pen. Is. 30:21, Jn. 10:14-16. People with a livestock farming background know that good shepherds don't shout. Some use sheepdogs and whistles, the best use quiet gestures. Deer farmers are even more subtle, as I discovered as a vet in New Zealand.
The wise attend to His Word and Spirit, and follow Him; the unwise keep going and suffer for it. Pr. 5:7.
The best way to decide if you should join in a dubious activity is to learn to become righteousness conscious, and follow the Spirit of God. Ro. 3:22, 2 Co. 5:21, 1 Jn. 3:24.
Religion trains you to be sin-conscious, and gives you a framework of rules to follow.
Christianity is not a religion, it is God's Life in us. Once saved, we become new creations in Christ. When you have the Son, you have life, real life. 1 Jn. 5:10-12.
Christ sets you free to choose to follow Him or not. We walk with Him because we love Him. We follow Him, not rules, not religion.
Instead of thinking as religious people do, "Oh I better not sin, or God will be angry with me!"
Think like this:
"My Lord bled and died to give me His righteousness. I am the righteousness of God in Christ. I am holy because He made me holy, so I will be holy, and I will walk in righteousness. What should we do today Lord?"
Then listen and obey Him; that's what I do. It's much more fun than chewing the sticks and nails of religion.
If it helps you; He hasn't led me to go to see a film since 1997. That was a special occasion when He showed me the Titanic Love story.
It is important that you gradually learn to follow Him directly; not a website, not me, not your pastor or church, not your friends, not a doctrine, but your LORD Jesus Christ.
The Living Word is your standard. Jn. 14:6, 21:22.
Got it?
Aimee Semple McPherson
Controversial, charismatic, dramatic. Smith Wigglesworth ministered in her fellowship with miracle results
Perfect holiness
Q: Can you stay holy forever when you are born again?
A: The only way to become holy is to be born of God, born again.
Religion, sacrifices, offerings, penance, and good deeds, never make anyone holy.
God has to do it for us, or it isn't done at all. Is. Ch. 59, Ro. Ch.3, Eph. Ch.2, Col. 1:22.
We are all born of the flesh, unholy children of the Devil. Jn. 8:41-42, Ro. Ch.3, 1 Jn. 3:10. When the sinner repents and believes in Christ, God makes them instantly holy and righteous, by simple heart faith in the LORD Jesus Christ. They become a new creation, holy and accepted in the beloved, no longer a sinner, but a saint and child of God. Oh this is so wonderful, please make sure you have been born again.
Their new nature remains holy and righteous because their spirit is united with God's Holy Spirit in the new birth, so of course it is always holy.
That is why the Holy Spirit urges believers to remain in step with the Spirit of God in their hearts, and to be holy and righteous in all they do. Gal. 5:16, 1 Pe. 1:15-16.
So you see there's two aspects to this holiness business; what you are by nature once you are born of God, and then what you do.
Put another way; there's God's handiwork in the new birth, which makes us holy, and a believer's responsibility to be holy in response.
Think about the wonder of it. It's simple, beautiful, and glorious; safety, with liberty, and divine responsibility.
Only God could have designed it.
Unforgiveness
Q: If you blame your Father for your Mother's death, and you never speak to him again, will you go to Hell? Tammy
A: All who reject Christ's salvation are thrown into Hell. Jn. 3:18, 5:24, Rev. 21:8.
When a person is truly saved, they are able to forgive those who sin against them, by God's love and grace in their hearts. Ro. 5:1-5. 1 Jn. 4:7-21. Believers in Christ do not hold grudges, they are always willing to forgive, and show mercy. If they refuse, then something is awry. So make sure you are genuinely saved, then God's love will fill your heart, even for the worst of sinners.
