[paraclete]

I don't believe that you can't be part of the world and also in step with Jesus - it's kind of silly as the World is God's work and creation.

The problem arises when we love the world too much. Scripture tells us God loves the world he created, but it also tells us it is finite and ultimately he will destroy it because of evil. So you have to make the decision; do you do what the world wants or do you do what Jesus wants? The world says there are many paths to salvation, Jesus says there is only one and the world doesn't like that message. What I know is this when you are sold out to Jesus the world starts to fade and you are less concerned about it. I was once a person who said I had nothing in common with Christians, today I have nothing in common with the values of the world

[gromitt82]

Few of us live in full accord with our faith - we all sin and all fall short. Many among us don't actually know what our faith teaches - it requires study that many people have never undertaken.

Further, for one person a simple belief in God, praying and trying to do right by others is satisfying expression of their faith. For others, full immersion in the Bible and their structured religion and following every aspect of teaching is imperative to them as the full expression of their faith.

For many of us it's a journey - that is my case personally. I am Catholic but not in full accord and compliance with my church, but working more and more toward it. I have some unresolved differences with the teaching of my faith which I yet struggle with as I want to be in full accord with the Church, but truly believe it to be wrong in certain areas.

The thing is though that your faith is not defined by what those around you do. And I don't believe that you can't be part of the world and also in step with Jesus - it's kind of silly as the World is God's work and creation.

As you rightly say it is kind of silly that it is almost impossible to be a part of the world while being in step with Jesus for, after all, our World is nothing else than God's creation...

However, it is nonetheless true, that God gave all of us freedom to conduct our lives as we please and knowing that we should most likely misuse this fredom he also gave us His Son to redeem us through his death in the Cross.

I'm a Catholic too, and I have as many problems to tackle with as you may have, and in most cases they are related to points I do not agree with the rulers of my Church.

However, I normally conclude that if I'm right and they are wrong they will have eventually to account for their mistakes when facing the "Big Boss". And if it is the other way round, and I'm wrong, which is most probable, then it will be my turn to render my "balance sheet" hoping for the best...

My journey is nearing its end and I gather that soon enough all my doubts will be clarified to my entire and total satisfaction. Meanwhile, I try to do as little harm as I can to others and to myself..
Gromitt82

[paraclete]

As you rightly say it is kind of silly that it is almost impossible to be a part of the world while being in step with Jesus for, after all, our World is nothing else than God's creation...

There is the false logic the lie rapped up in the truth, this planet is God's creation, this "world" is man's creation. There is very little in it that exaults God. Man's freedom has been a excuse for evil.

[dontknownuthin]

There is a great deal of evil in the world and a great deal of good. We choose what to include in our lives to large extent, though some evil imposes upon us. Jesus encountered evil as well, yet did not hide himself away. He and the apostles went into the world.

If your definition of "the world" comprises the worst of humanity, I can see the point of avoiding it.

The world I live in though is naturally spectacular, filled with loving friends and family and opportunities to be of service and live well. There is plenty out there such as pornography, sleeping around, murder, and the like, but I choose not to be part of that.

[gromitt82]

There is the false logic the lie rapped up in the truth, this planet is God's creation, this "world" is man's creation. There is very little in it that exaults God. Man's freedom has been a excuse for evil.

I do not think that GOD needs any kind of exaltation from us. Pretending He does is just another clear instance of our own arrogance and pride. We walk around ignoring the ants we may step upon inadvertently but in any case we could care less as to their behavior.

GOD probably cares for us as in His infinite love for His Creation He cares for the rest of the living creatures in our world. But that does not mean God expects to be exalted by us, who are zillions of time smaller than ants in front of Him. God has told us what we are to do if we want to enjoy one day His eternal Kingdom and, for the rest, it is up to us to follow His advice or not.
Gromitt82

[gromitt82]

There is a great deal of evil in the world and a great deal of good. We choose what to include in our lives to large extent, though some evil imposes upon us. Jesus encountered evil as well, yet did not hide himself away. He and the apostles went into the world.

If your definition of "the world" is comprised of the worst of humanity, I can see the point of avoiding it.

The world I live in though is naturally spectacular, filled with loving friends and family and opportunities to be of service and live well. There is plenty out there such as pornography, sleeping around, murder, and the like, but I choose not to be part of that.

You are right when you say that you “choose not to be part of the filthy world”. So do I and so do most people all over the world!
However, more often than not we cannot completely evade ourselves from this filth. It surrounds us in the cities we live, even in our own suburbs. We are constantly witnessing situations all over the world that emphasize this filth and injustice, to the point that, thinking that there is nothing we can do about it, we just cross our arms, feel sorry and sit down in the comfort of our living room.
Right now, there is an impending risk of two million people (most of them children) dying of starvation in Somalia. And all we can do is to feel sorry for them… Let our Governments try to help if they can or if they feel like…
It is like what we do when there is an epidemic disease of some sort. We try to protect ourselves and our families with whatever vaccines or drugs that are supposed to avoid it, and that’s it!
I am not criticizing it. Human nature is just like that. But it should not be like that. However, solidarity is a scarce commodity and has always been.

Grommit82

[paraclete]

I do not think that GOD needs any kind of exaltation from us. Pretending He does is just another clear instance of our own arrogance and pride.

And so in your arrogance you do not exault God. Scripture tells us God inhabits our praises, but it isn't for him but for us, where the presence of God exists we are blessed