"The Earth belongs to HaShem and the Fullness Thereof."
What is Meant by Moderation?
By Ben Ruach ha Kodesh (John of AllFaith) � 6.05.09
Philippians 4:5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
'Moderation' is largely a matter of personal opinion and cultural views. Could the old-time Puritans and other early devout Christians speak today they would doubtless say there are very few real Christians left on earth because the majority willingly and knowingly 'live in sin' now in countless ways (as the biblical prophets foretold of these Last Days -- Rev 3:14-9).
The Church was, in a sense, 'moderated downward' by gradually accepting and conforming to the progressively evil cultural norms.
At first most Christians rejected the Secular Humanists doctrines of Darwin and other New World Order Elitists and Eugenicists. Now most accept these things as proved truth when they remain theory.
Historically almost all Christians condemned murdering children but now -- since 1973 and Roe V Wade -- most believe women and mass murders like George (the Killer) Tiller -- who even murdered babies as they were about to be born -- not only have that right to murder children but are praiseworthy for doing so!!
"Moderation" is a slippery slope!
But the basic idea is that Believers should not seek to attract attention to themselves due to their own holiness and practices nor should they conform to the evils that surround them.
A case in point: The Amish dress and live the way the do because when their movement began that was the way modest people behaved and lived. Now their observance of these antiquated human traditions and cultural norms set them apart as being so odd that they don't interact with the society and very few are drawn to God through them. That's not moderation but extremism. (Not trying to knock the Amish here, their just an easy example).
Master Y'shua (Jesus) explains the desired balance this way:
Matt 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
So... take your stand against evil, live according to righteous principles and 'let your light shine' so that others will see your good works and seek to make a difference in the world.
But Let your life glorify God not yourself.Be an example of HOW to follow God not a person to be followed or praised.
We are not called to be shrinking violets. We are commanded to STAND against this evil day... BUT/AND to stand for GOD'S glory nor our own, to draw others to Him.
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
And understand that we don't know everything! We don't have all the answers despite the pretenses of many Christian. Share what you know and believe in humility, understanding that you may be incorrect on points.
If you know something is a sin don't do it. BUT don't become so arrogant or convinced of your own personal holiness that you condemn those who do. Maybe they just haven't seen that particular 'light' yet even as you doubtless have yet to see other 'lights' they have. LOVE them and don't condemn them! They are God's servants, not yours (mine etc).
This is not always easy but in my opinion this is what is meant by moderation in all things.
One whose life is based on God's LOVE: 1) love for God, 2) love for others and then love for self, will live a moderated and happy life.
Hope this helps,
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