14: But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balack to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 15: So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. 16: Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 17: He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.” (King James Version)

Living holy and pure in a sin-saturated world is challenging and possible. If the events and happenings in this age are weighed in moral scale, it may trigger some plain doubts in every simple mind, on the possibility of living honest in a world where dishonesty is allowed; living truthful in a world where lies are considered smartness; living sincere in a world where insincerity has become a way of life; living contented in a world where greed is celebrated and human quest for gain has gone beyond voraciousness.

The Prophet Isaiah declared in Isaiah 1:6: “From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.”

In considering the topic, “living a victorious Christian life in a sin-saturated world;” we must first accept sin to be sin and must not question if living victorious Christian life is a desire in the first instance.

Trying to excuse sin, and label it — weakness, mistakes, God will understand, we are mere mortals and many more — only empowers the lure to be stronger. The legalisation and tolerance of evil does not change it from being wrong to being right. Calling bribe a tip does not make it less criminal. The application of certain laid down principles of the Bible and moral laws are keys to living right.

The World
ACCORDING to Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, the “World” in biblical concept falls into five categories: the physical world, the human world, the moral world, the temporal world, and the coming world. The family, schools, markets, different establishments and institutions, including religious institutions make up the world; both as an organisation and an organism. These various groups as an organisation, have laws, rules and guidelines, which are influenced by its nature as an organism. If it is depraved and alienated from Divine guidelines and principles it sponsors laws that are godly isolated but if in alignment with godliness, its laws are thus reflected.

Anything can become a way of life in any world or system, either moral or immoral. Whatever a people do repeatedly over time becomes their way of life.

The Physical World: The physical world at its largest extent includes the whole universe, the cosmos (John 1:9 ; Acts 17:24 ) or the creation (Rom 8:20 ). When biblical writers refer to the world, however, they usually mean the earth itself, not including sun, moon and stars. When Old Testament writers wanted to refer to the universe, they used an expression like “the heavens and the earth” (Gen 1:1).
The Human World: The human world includes dry land where people can live, the inhabited earth where they do live, and the people who live there. The people of the world are simply referred to as the “world” or the “earth” occasionally in the Old Testament and frequently in the New Testament.

The scripture says: “God will judge the world,” or a similar statement means that God will judge the inhabitants of the world (Psalm 9:8, 96:13, Isaiah 13:11, 26:9).

The human characteristics sprouting from a corrupt mind has kept our society in its decayed state today. Prophet Hosea described it thus: “The more the priests increased, the more they sinned against me; they exchanged their Glory for something disgraceful. They feed on the sins of my people and relish their wickedness. And it will be: like people, like priests. I will punish both of them for their ways and repay them for their deeds,” (Hosea 4:7-9).

Signs Of A Decayed Society
• Promotion of injustice.
• Blindness to truth.
• Disregard to human life.
• Compromised leadership.
• Vices are celebrated as virtues.
• The breakers of the laws are tolerated and the innocent are oppressed.
• Anything and everything has a price and can be bought.
• When people no longer listen to their conscience.
• Misappropriation of finance and opposed to accountability.
• Decrease in godliness.
• Increase in ungodliness.
• Promotion of that which is unnatural.
• Misuse of God’s creation.
• Lack of protection of lives and properties.
• When people lose sensitivity to other people’s plights.
• Inhumanity.

We pray to God that His kingdom would come and His reign will be visible on earth because the reign of Satan and his activities are on the increase and reflected in the following:
• Decay in family life and values.
• Moral upbringing is becoming strange in our today’s society.
• There is zero per cent in godliness and modesty.
• There is zero per cent in family bond and cultural values.
• High rate of divorces and childbirth out of wedlock.
• Celebration of extra-marital relationship and promiscuity.
• Legalisation and tolerance of homosexuality.
• Abuse of the teaching profession.
• Abuse of the legal system.
• Abuse of the security system.
• Suppression of the voice of truth.
• Abuse and misuse of public fund.
• Abuse of electoral processes.
• The list is endless.

In every sphere of human life, there is the struggle for dominion and prominence, which have turned men against each other and made the world a battleground. The slogan “if you can’t beat them, join them,” has become the song and lyrics of every church. Many greedy unsanctified hired vessels have turned most religious circle into mere social gathering where people meet to feel good without true spirituality.

Christian principles and standard are at war with human rationale and mechanical spirituality. This is where the war is more severe; to defend the truth is stronger within than it is without.
The question for those who still want their garments to remain undefiled should be:
• Where do I stand in scriptural principles?
• What is the standard to measure virtues and truth?
• What takes priority in my morale scale?
• What can I not give up for the sake of that “which is honest and godly?”
• What values do I have?

The church is called out from the world to represent Christ before a decayed world; if this must be accomplished; living right through grace, which is in Christ Jesus is sacrosanct.

The World Against God
REVELATION 2: 13 SAYS: “I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth,” depicts the domain of Satan.

Pergamos at this time was wholly given to idol worship; that behind the city lies a hill of 1,000 feet, which was covered with different heathen temples and shrines. Pergamos was full of Idolatry that it later became recognised as the headquarters and centre of cultism. To isolate cultism and idol worship from pergamos was like trying to select tiny stones from grains. Passing through pergamos thinking you will not notice idolatry and cultism was like saying: “I will walk under the rain without being wet in any way.”

Speaking against idol worship in the city of Pergamos was like inviting the entire city to a fight. Idol worship in Pergamos became a way of life; yet men like Antipas chose to rather die than breath the free air of idolatry.

The Word Of God
REVELATION 12: 2 SAYS: “And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; these things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges.”
God’s word does not change with time, season, location or people. Truth unlike fact is never subjective, or suggestive; the truth and principles of God’s word and His revealed will is not fallible with generational gap. His judgment is always a righteous judgment. “But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked,” (Isaiah 11:4).

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart,” (Hebrews 4:12).

Compromising God’s standard for gain, fear, human praise, fame or position and political acceptance can only breed divine wrath. Revelation 2:16 says: “Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

The Doctrine Of Satan
WHILE the church fights to overcome sin, she must be careful of the things she accepts as true. Revelation 2:14-16 says “But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balack to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 15: So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. 16: Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.”

The Lord hates the doctrine of Nicolaitans. Followers of Nicolans of Antioch one of the seven in Acts 6:5. They held the same error as the Balaamites (2:14-15). They taught the people to eat things offered to idols as against the apostolic council decree in Acts 15:29. “Let’s ask ourselves what are the meats offered to idols yesterday?” It could be understood literally, but today, you must understand that food offered to idol stands for anything and everything dedicated to the glorification of Satan, irrespective of where it is found: it could be in the church, mosque, shrine, legal system, traditional stools, among others. The food always comes with excessiveness, gluttony and addiction.

In writing to the Ephesians, Paul warned: “And do not be drunk … but be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18). Living to the glory of God demands the ability to say “no” where and when necessary. True Christian living is in daily battle against sin, Satan and evil. Our dependence upon God’s grace and faith upon the finished work of Christ guarantees our victory and only the victorious will be given the name, authority and power. Peace be unto you!
• Ven. Stephen Wolemonwu is the Rector, Ibru Ecumenical Centre, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State. He can be reached through (08035413812).