The Spirit of Holiness is Better than Hatred of a Christless Materialistic Society

Luke 6:27-36

Click for a description of the mark of the beast.

Possessions, money, and physical comforts are the foundation on which this present government system functions. They have no belief in Divine rewards of eternal life nor of the rewards of living in the presence of the Holy Spirit. In fact, they trample on the Holy Spirit and discard the need for Jesus Christ. It is a system of humanism which is empowered by the mark of the beast. They reward people for allegiance to their Christless social standards. Those who live for Jesus Christ do not adapt to their materialistic society, and we are distinctly set apart by the Holy Spirit. We are strangers in this world waiting for the return of Jesus. Those who live for the mark of the beast, in the name of humanism, only embrace their own and are hostile to everyone else.

“But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return;
and your reward will be great,
and you will be sons of the Most High.
For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 
Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.”
Luke 6:35-36

Through the Spirit of Christ, God’s love lives towards our abusers. Everywhere we go, there are people who have a reason for hating someone else. The conflict, strife, and violence happen every day around where I live, and it’s in communities all over the nation. It’s happening in shopping centers, grocery stores, gas stations, basketball games, soccer matches, and anywhere that two or more people gather. There isn’t even a thought in their mind about the teachings of Jesus Christ. Their thoughts, emotions, feelings, and behaviors are dominated by the thing that has power over physiology. It is the mark of the beast. The world is filled with lawlessness because the Holy Spirit is trampled on, and there is no path leading to Jesus. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are hated by the majority in mainstream society for walking in the Spirit of peace. If we contend with everyone who insults us, bumped into us, cut us off from something, called us derogatory names, etc. it would be a losing cause. Jesus Christ gives us commands that are very easy to follow, “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.” Luke 6:27-28

The Spirit of Christ is more valuable than hostility and possessions. Unfortunately, we live in a world where people are living exactly opposite of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. There are very few people who are willing to turn their cheek after being hit, or to allow their possessions to be taken. The violence in the world is evident of that, but we are the few who follow Jesus who says, “To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either.” Luke 6:29. Possessions and money are rewards given to those who live by the mark of the beast, and those who have things are tight fisted. Many people are destitute for no other reason than refusing to live by Christless expectations, and charity is something this world lacks. Iniquity has caused love to go cold and giving to others can turn into a nasty experience. But let’s not be like the world who betrays Jesus because money and possessions mean more, “Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back.” Luke 6:30. Living in the Spirit of Christ is more important than engaging in conflict. In this Christless world, I know people do not return the favor of kindness just because I’m kind to them, most of the time it is just the opposite. Even then, I do towards others the way I would want to be treated. and that is what Jesus expects of us, “And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.” Luke 6:31

The present social structure loves their own, but they do not know the love of God. Routinely, I experience people putting on a show of cuddling with each other, and showing how warm they can be to each other, etc. I never experience any affection from them, but they are making it clear that if I lived by the mark of the beast then that affection could be for me. It’s obvious that they love only their own. They could cause hatred and bitterness to sprout up through jealousy, but the work of sanctification keeps us in the love of God. God’s love is for the whosoever, and by the Spirit of Christ we show that love, “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.” Luke 6:32. The same Christless people who make a display of their love do the same thing by doing good deeds for their own. Their good deeds usually relate to money or possessions, and they especially love to make a show of their Christmas gift-giving. “And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.” Luke 6:33. Money and possessions are things we have to detach ourselves from, which means detaching ourselves from the present government system which functions on materialism. “And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back.” Luke 6:34

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:11