everlasting contempt and outer darkness

[Joe]

I need to change my attitude.
But I was also thinking about 'he who loses his life shall gain it', that I should not care for the worldly life, there is no life outside Christ.
The worldly cares are affecting me, and they shouldn't. I want death for the worldly desires, the flesh. To crucify the flesh. But sometimes I think about my family, building a family, fellowship in God...

I lose sight. Like our people of the past, I need to learn more about that.
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God,"
His purpose. I need discipline of mind.

[wmfinck]

The worldly cares are affecting me, and they shouldn't. I want death for the worldly desires, the flesh. To crucify the flesh. But sometimes I think about my family, building a family, fellowship in God...

But Joe, family, building a family, fellowship in God, these are the spiritual things we should seek. Without families in God, how could there be a Kingdom of God?

Paul of Tarsus said in 1 Timothy 3: "For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?"

Likewise, in 1 Timothy chapter 5: "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel."

Worldly desires and the lusts of the flesh are to be distinguished from worldly responsibilities and the needs of the flesh!

[Joe]

Bill said

Worldly desires and the lusts of the flesh are to be distinguished from worldly responsibilities and the needs of the flesh!

I will remember this.

I thought trying to be successful in work was worldly (not to be rich or anything).
I still need discipline of mind, so that I can read the Bible better and deal with the meat of Scripture, to know what is right and wrong. To be able to repent of all my wrongs.

I do want to do more for my family. I have been thinking I need to do it according to God's will . And the funny thing is, I was listening to you and Ryan talking about worldly responsibility today. I started to understand.

I shouldn't have said 'fellowship in God' though, that is obviously good. I was trying to relate that I would feel more lonely among people who don't love God.