PRESS ON (No Camping!)

The "Christian Life" is not a "Camping Permit" to take up residence in this fallen world, in this desert--for forty years, or a lifetime--as it were.

We were not born into this "valley of the shadow of death", this "valley of decision" to linger or get comfortable. When we find out that this is what the world is, that God's kingdom "is not of this world"--on the contrary--we should be shaken and prompted to hurry to an exit (so to speak).

Yes, we also have a mission to accomplish while we're here, and yes, time does seem to carry on, and on, and on. So, sure, build churches, spread the good Word, have Bible Studies, and programs for every need--there are so many needs. Even go camping a little, labor and save for the future, have a nice home, decorate, have parties, take vacations--but be ready to pack up nothing at a moments notice..because this would-be campsite is an escalator and it moves faster and faster.

And don't start believing that this world was what God had in mind. No, we have spoiled that so much so, He has had to send His Son to rescue us from "this world"--that where He is we "may be also" (John 14:3).

If the scriptures have given us any truthful impression at all, it is that this world is passing away--and we of this time in history--ought to be more expectant of all that is promised than any other generation that has gone before us.

One of the last things Jesus said before going to the cross, was, "Rise, let us be going" (Matthew 26:46). As parting words, this should not be taken as, "let's camp here"--not of any generation.

soberxp said:

The sole reason we exist in this world is that the words spoken by God never go back on his promise. He said human would fill the land with people, and so it is. It won't change because of the mistakes of Adam and Eve. Even though we were supposed to be in the Garden of Eden originally.

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There is an end of the camping--that is, of existing in this world. Even so, every word of God is true and will not return void, but it shall accomplish what He pleases, And it shall prosper in the thing for which He sent it. Which is fulfilled in second birth--spiritual birth--by the spirit of God, that we my be where He is also.

soberxp said:

But I feel that this world is so unreal, as if I exist in a virtual computer world, or it's like a dream, a real dream, until the moment when I truly wake up again.

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That is quite accurate, as all of this world is only made manifest--like us made in the "image" of God. Think about that. The Spirit (God and actual reality) is unseen--at least here; and to reveal sin God gave us skins having image, of the same elements of all creation...and what does He call these elements that we ourselves are? "Image."

So, yes, this is like a pixelated cartoon world to reveal sin--only for a time. Then we lose our skins as all the elements are "dissolved" to be "like Him." All of which from the scriptures.

But don't think for a minute that this cartoon unreality doesn't have its dangers. It's all more than 3D in color. If we are cut we bleed, if we drive too fast we can crash and burn, and if we do harm someone else suffers.

Such is our "valley of decision." We are revealed and must choose our own fate--"work out our own salvation" by what we believe. That's it.