Greetings Kat,
Thanks for your reply. I always appreciate your input.
John 1:23 Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast,
many believed in His name when they saw the signs which He did. 24
But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew
all men, 25 and
had no need that anyone should testify of man, for
He knew what was in man.
This verse seems to be describing "babylon" perfectly. It could also apply to me personally in many ways.
John 9:40 Then some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these words, and said to Him, “Are we blind also?”
41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains.
I mostly see the spirit of pride in the pharisees statement - "We see." They were feasting, possibly with pride in their hearts in keeping the law and setting them apart from the "world" or "babylon," or so they thought. But nothing can purify man's sinfully wicked heart except Jesus.
John 5:39, 40
39You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. 40But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.
Playing with a two-edged sword can kill in more ways than one, by turning against the one who weilds it, to say the least. I guess the question for me is where to draw the line when it comes to being "in" the world but not "of" the world. For example, a tatoo is only as significant as the intent of my heart for getting it in the first place. In the end it will perish with my flesh. Likewise, not getting one wont change the heart. As long as I'm in the flesh sin remains, whether it be outward and visible, or inward and only seen by the Father/Son.
I agree with gmik, I don't want to look like the Amish either.
But foremost, on the inside, I definately don't want to look like the Pharisees. I want to say "I see", but I'd rather say "I believe" from the heart. This discussion has been very eye opening to me.
Thanks!
In Christ,
G.