Sometimes the truth is so obvious it is missed by many Christians, especially what Jesus told the apostles in Mark 16:15, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. The meaning of that has a breadth and depth that, if followed, will bring changes to individuals, families, neighborhoods and entire societies. Not only does the gospel bring salvation to all who obey, it will by extension save society from the numerous ills that have befallen it due to God being more and more removed from guiding daily lives. Some of the removal comes when individuals shove God aside for worldly pursuits. The other is by force when the government engages in behavior that can bring punitive measures against those who want to proclaim God’s way to a sin sick society that is growing in the United States and the world in general.

Increasingly, the focal point for the forces of societal change is the impetus on capturing the minds of children. Children are the future of any nation and its system, and the forces of evil know that just as sure as God knows that the future of his ways being in the hearts of the people begins with the children. When Jesus uttered the words of Mark 16:15, he included children for the preaching to and the hearing of the gospel. That is done by godly parents teaching their children the ways of godly living. Thus, there is a battle between God and evil for the minds of the children, which will be explored as the lessons unfold.

Paul wrote in Ephesians several types of instructions, which are important for this lesson’s discussion.  First, it should be noted that Ephesians contains instructions for daily living in Christ, including warnings about the dangers that will be encountered. The warnings apply to Christians but are also equally applicable to the unsaved who would seek out God’s way. Even those who ignore God would do well to heed the warnings about the ways of evil in the world. Since many don’t believe there is evil, then the warnings will fall on deaf ears, all the while ignoring the dangers. One of the dangers is those with deaf ears holding positions of leadership in various capacities from local offices to federal positions. They promote and practice the evils that God warns about, scoffing that the things are the marks of a tolerant, accepting and enlightened society designed to include everyone, in order to give them feelings of belonging rather than being left out. In other words, it is the doctrine of inclusion wherein only believers in God are left out and then harassed for their beliefs when they protest against the evil. Such is the way of the world that Paul addresses in Ephesians.  

One of the instructions Paul gives concerns the attitude or mind set for daily living. Paul constantly instructs the believer to direct his or her mind toward Christ as the writer of Hebrews declared [s] in Hebrews 12:2-3: Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. (Remember verse 3, which will be referenced later) After giving warnings about ungodly behavior in Ephesians Chapter 4, the believer’s mind-set or attitude is addressed in Ephesians 5: 1 and verses following. The chapter begins with Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; directing the believers toward God, reminding them that they are God’s children. The next few verses contain a list of worldly behaviors that are not of God, verse 3, and then verse 5 gives those that are fatal to the inheriting of the kingdom of God, among others not listed.

It should be readily understandable that when Jesus said, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature that he included children of all ages and the preaching is to contain the pitfalls that can and will hamper life to the point of destruction if God’s ways are not followed.

© 03-15-2008 DEC

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