The Ego

     In the gospels ego eimi  is written several places. As Jesus walked on water as related in the Book of Matthew, he made a huge claim:

Mat 14:27 Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; IT IS I; be not afraid.

     Literally, Jesus didn't say, "it is I" but "ego eimi" - I AM. In Exodus 3:14 God told Moses who He IS - "ego eimi" - THE BEING. In the Hebrew that is "ey-yeh" which is transliterated into English as Yahweh. Thus, Jesus was actually telling the apostles, I AM or Yahweh. "It is I" is a weak translation of Jesus's claim. 

     Ego is an oft used word. It is Greek and Latin for "I" or "the self". God is Ego capitalized because He Is God. When speaking in the first person, almost every sentence contains "I".  The more "I's" used in speaking, the more self-centered the person is. I write. I try to write without using "I". I fail because it is next to impossible because all of what I say pertains to me. That accentuation of the self is what Sigmund Freud called "the ego". In psychology, the Latin word ego is the organized part of the personality. It mediates between the id and reality. The id is the unorganized part of the personality and contains the instinctual portion of the personality. The "id" is that of which a person is born. Id is Latin for "it". 

     In theology, id is the nature of the person and includes the propensity to sin which is genetic from Adam's "original sin". In scripture the id is referred to as "the flesh". "It" tries to do what "it" wants to do! The ego is the part of the personality which rationalizes the id with reality,  thus when one sins, the ego attempts to protect the id. 

     In our own existence, life is all about "I" or the "ego". The id seeks to do what is right in the person's own eyes (Deut 12:8). Thus, every person must make a choice: Shall I do as I please or shall I do what pleases God? Being born-again is when one submits the ego to Ego Eimi. The super-ego drives that idea forth. The ego quits rationalizing sin and making excuses for the id - which is essentially the human will.

     The ego knows the intent and desires of the id, and makes an honest appraisal compared to truth: I am a sinner, I know it, and God says that sin will cause me to die for eternity. The ego must do something about that situation. However, unlike Ego Eimi, the ego has no power to protect. Reality is that only God can save! When the ego faces that truth, "it" - the id - is set free (John 8:32). Therefore, the person born-again is honest about his nature - the id - and trusts Ego Eimi to keep the self-centered id alive. Ironically, the ego even protects the id in the face of Ego Eimi. The "I" submits to Ego Eimi so that the id can keep on living forever. The ego still seeks to protect the id by submission to Ego Eimi. The dying wish for everyone is that their "it" (id) and "I" (ego) lives on! That can happen only through the grace of Ego Eimi! God works through the "super-ego" which is the conscience.

     Freud turned away from his family's faith but still made use of what he had learned. Basically he turned his religion into what is considered a science. Even the word psychology means "the study of the soul". Freud understood the dualism of the human will, and knew that when there was a gap between what one wills to do and what is reality, chaos results. The "sickness" which ensues that is caused by the conflict is iniquity. No one can live in iniquity without feeling guilt except the psychotic person which scripture refers to as the reprobate. (Rom 1:28). When the ego no longer protects the id, sinful behavior without guilt comes about. God gives the ego over to the id. The psyche dies just as God warned (Gen 2:7). That is when he ego is beyond caring!

     If the ego still cares, Satan deceives it and says, God is wrong, you will not die! (Gen 3:4). Thus, the ego continues to protect the id knowing full-well that the psyche can and will die if it - the id - continues iniquitous. Neurosis is the guilt that ensues as the ego still falsely protects the id whereas psychosis is the ego losing touch with reality. That is a dangerous place to be; either out of touch with divine justice or playing games with God's warning. Only Ego Eimi can heal either the neurosis of rationalization or the psychosis of living without acknowledging Ego Eimi who is, if you have forgotten, God Himself!

     Guilt and spiritual sickness comes down to the battle of wills: your ego versus Ego Eimi. Your entire existence - your I - depends on submitting your ego to God. 

Rom 12:1-2 I (Ego Eimi) beseech you (your ego) therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye (the ego) present your bodies (your id)a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your (ego's) reasonable service. And (the id) be not conformed to this world: but be ye (id, ego, and super-ego) transformed by the renewing of your mind (id, ego, and super-ego), that ye (ego) may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Ego Eimi).

Rebels By Nature

     Children for some reason often rebel against their parents. I never did! Why so? I loved and respected them. That did not mean that I did their will all the time but knew they were behind me 100%, and their love was immutable without regard to what I did. My own parent's attitude toward their children is much like God's attitude toward his creatures. Let's examine my contention for a moment:

Isa 1:2 Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the Lord hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.

      God's children were the Hebrew people. They were chosen by God to be His and were continually blessed. In spite of God's love which was demonstrated by nourishing and growing the Hebrew nation, they rebelled against Him. Familial (storge) love is important because it is indicative of the relationship between God and His people - divine (agape) love. In response to their rebellion, God said this in to Isaiah:

Isa 1:19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.

     That is a statement with a promise: honor Me and you shall prosper. Have we read that before? Let's look at the Fifth Commandment:

Exod 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

     Isaiah 1:2 and 19 above could just as easily have been said: Honor your Father and your days will be long.  The Hebrew people were rebellious in spite of God's love, and their days were short in their land. They were scattered all over and ten tribes were lost to oblivion! God gave a promise with Isaiah 1:19 and it was no different than the only command with a promise - the same promise!
     Children who rebel against loving parents are foolish. Likewise, God's children who rebel against Him are even more foolish (Psalm 69:5)! Even when Christians disobey, God stands firm in His love as even my own Dad stood firm in his love when I did my own will.
     Those types of agape and storge love both are preventative against sin. I often did Dad's will because he loved me so! That helps me to do God's will because He so loved me. (John 3:16). I didn't want to disappoint Dad (nor Mom) and I don't want to disappoint God. However, I did disappoint Dad and Mom, and I do disappoint God. That dualistic nature is my own internal battle between my will and God's will which is the Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak (Mat 26:41).
     Sinning is inborn and we can't keep from sinning. However, we can be willing to not sin! That willingness to do God's will is the way failing Christians honor God. He knows our hearts. My desire is never to sin but still I do! I hate sin but still sin because that is my nature. Paul said it about himself:

Rom 7:19  For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.

     In spite of Paul having a nature toward sinning, he desired to do good? Why so? Because he honored His Father in Heaven and His Will!  He sought to do God's will but continued to do his own. God looks at the heart. Christians are to loathe sin; that is the new creation. The disdain for sin is validation that the new birth was real even when the reborn still sin! It's difficult to explain but the willingness to obey is the sign that the rebirth was efficacious even when one sins.
     I remember an old lady at a wedding several years ago. Her nephew told me that she was an alcoholic. Each drink she drank was followed by an expression of disgust. Here nephew told me that she hated the taste of whisky but still she continued to drink it. That's because she was addicted to alcohol. Likewise, when Christians sin, they may disdain the sinful behavior but continue to do the same sin over and over because sin is addictive. To get over the "addiction" which is inherited, the old creature must be crucified on the cross with Jesus and a new creature arise from the cleansing (Gal 5:24). That crucifixion is sanctification. That's when the Christian starts depending on God to deliver from sin and quit trying to deliver oneself from sin. That is putting belief into action!
     I tried to quit smoking for years. I desired to quit and willing to try, but I still failed. I continued to be a smoker while wanting not to be! In a last-ditch effort to quit, I turned my habit over to God, and with His strength, I quit, not by my own strength but God's! That's the same with any sinful behavior. God looks at our intentions and disregards our actions unless the intention is to sin which is rebellion against God.
     Satan wants me to believe that I have failed when I sin. However, God credits me for not sinning when my will is not to sin. Because He suffered the flesh, God knows the weakness of it. He empathizes with us because He knows the power of the flesh. Even though God overcame the temptations of Satan, He knows why we don't. That is grace! We don't need be sinless but desire not to sin. That desire is service to God, and is a far cry from rebellion.

You and Others

     Most of my writings have been about mankind "as gods" in competition with God for appeasement. Today, my commentary is about competition among those "gods" with each other. God is a "jealous God" (Exod 20:5). Since mankind was created in the image of God, we are jealous "gods",  albeit very weak and undeserving ones! Of whom are people jealous? Others who perceive themselves "as gods".
     "Jealousy" is a competitive attitude. God knows that He is in competition with His creatures for attention. God expects mankind to love Him but instead they love themselves. That attitude is: (1) I am more important than God, and (2) I need attention. I suggest that that attitude is how our gods are appeased. God doesn't like that attitude, and indeed, to be "born-again" requires that attitude be submitted to God. People, upon enlightenment that they are not gods, become meek. "Meekness" is the attitude of those who are truly born-again!

Ephes 4:1 ...beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

     Meekness is the image of the new creature in Christ:

Mat 11:29 Take my (Jesus's) yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 

     Meek Christians have no need for jealousy! Meek Christians are neither in competition with God nor others who perceive themselves "as gods".
     Of course, mankind was created loving himself: "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." (Mat 26:39.) Everyone must love themselves so as to desire to be preserved in Heaven. In fact, that need for preservation is inherent because no one hates themselves (Ephes 5:29). Everyone is to have the same loving attitude for others as they have for themselves. With that said, there should be no jealousy!
     In my young adult years I barely subsisted. My church friends were a little older and well-established. They had many things which I didn't. I lived in a rat-infested rundown farmhouse in between cornfields. My friends lived in affluent homes. They loved me as I was, and I loved them as they were. I was happy for their prosperity and without covetness which is jealousy. God blessed me! The meekness of my attitude was from God. It was not my own for mankind's nature is jealousy.
     I am fairly prosperous but far from wealthy. I live comfortably and without financial worry. That lifestyle was a gift of God because of the change in my nature! If my attitude changes, it can all be taken away.
     I was the first in my family to receive a college education. Take my word for it, that was a gift from God! I graduated free from debt and only borrowed twenty-five cents from my Dad one time. I worked my way through and ate little for four years usually eating only one meal a day at most. I was meek but God blessed me! I was jealous of one thing though: going to an elite college, most others were smarter than me! I wished I had their intelligence. However, because I didn't, I studied more and perhaps learned more from it.
     In a few years, my employer paid for my graduate-level degree. I was blessed again but not proud in a competitive sense because my education was soon to be used for God's purpose.
     My wife had my graduate degree framed because she was proud of my accomplishment. I reluctantly accepted that gift even though I had filed it away in the memorabilia box. I never thought anymore about it because even though it was prominently displayed in my study. I seldom even noticed it, and never pointed it out.
     On one occasion, a person commented on my degree as he was touring my home. I acknowledged that I did have a masters-level degree and we walked on. I could sense the attitude of jealousy at that very moment because I knew that the person was not educated beyond his field. I also figured that his family was not highly educated. That made little difference until on many occasions he held my education against me. To this day, that Christian man displays an attitude of competitiveness and he's in a position to make me ineffectual. I could be using my training for God's purposes but am suffocated by jealousy; at least in my perceived view of the situation.
     Not only are people in competition with God for glory, many are in competition with others for "godhood" which is self-esteem.
     Imagine if the other apostles had been jealous of late-comer Paul who is the most notable of all of them. If that had been the case, Jesus would never had been taught and Christians would be mere followers of Cephas and the others (1 Cor 1:12). Paul taught accordance in Christ. As long as Herrin magnifies Christ and Jesus's doctrine, why would other Christians be jealous of that? I realize that education does not provide divine insight but neither does ignorance! The educated and the not so educated look at the same events in different ways and reveal truth in different manners. I appreciate the lay-preacher as much as the educated as long as their doctrine is Christ's!
     Christians are to put away pride in themselves unless it is for the glory of God. It's okay to brag on Christ but to promote oneself or demote others is not to God's glory - it is for one's own esteem.

What do you expect?

     Families are intended to be a tight close-knit unit but not too close as to infringe on each other. Indeed, scripture supports the notion that fathers and mothers be set aside for one's own family. Historically families have lived in the same vicinity near the patriarch and matriarch. In my own church I think of one particular family and their patriarch and matriarch. Most of their families attend church there; all four generations of them. I believe that is the way it's supposed to be but not to the extent of becoming a family clique. I admire their family, and wish mine was like that!
     My own family closeness was dissolved by vocational opportunities. I moved to Bowling Green specifically because I desired to retire there and be with my family in retirement. I remain here but all  my children, and now step-child and step-grandchildren have moved away. There is a degree of loneliness in not having familial support and those who should be loving nearby so as to share life's experiences. I miss my own children and grandchildren tremendously. With separation comes detachment. This detachment is "separation syndrome".
     It is God's will that families be close. Therefore, it must be Satan's will that families be separated. Storge-type love can be lessened or even depleted with separation. That "syndrome" is somewhat depressing for most people whose families are separated. Even when I am with friends, I feel alone in the crowd, especially if they have family in the area and do things together. Church people are to be extended families. Members of the Body of Christ are supposed to be sisters and brothers, That is generally not the case in modern churches. Even when in church, I feel alone in the congregation. Those who are to love and cherish me are not there to do so, and that ameliorating feelings needs to come from somewhere. It doesn't come from most churches including my own.
     There is a gap between in what should be and actuality in church accordance. People are Sunday acquaintances but not daily friends. They do things but do them apart. Visitors have a tough time becoming part of the church family. Although many may attend a church to fill the gap of the missing family, oftentimes it is not filled. I ask myself often, why am I here? The answer to that, I've found, is that most churches are the same way. Therefore, I must subsist on God's love and forget about brotherly love. Strangers to the church often sense the detached church and go elsewhere.
     I remember one time a young man came and sat in the back pew. I spoke with him and found out that he was new to the community. He needed family. I asked another young man to take the time to welcome this visitor, and he agreed. However, he didn't. The first young man never came back.
     Thus, the church is divided and many don't even sense it! Satan operates in stealth. It is not particularly evil to exclude people but neither is it Christian! Whenever the Holy Spirit is vocal, it's because those in the Church are of one accord. (Acts 2). If one looks around in the church after service, there is accord but it is not one accord. Week after week the accord is among the same people. That is not only my church but most of yours as well. We are one but divided. Sometimes a piece of the "cake" is removed and no one even notices! Satan just pushes the other pieces together to fill the void and the church goes on as if it's a full cake. Then another piece and another squeeze, and the cake becomes smaller. Even the attendance board goes unnoticed. People notice that the cake grows smaller but it's still seems to be a cake, so they are still content.
     Rome was said to have been burned down as Nero fiddled. It was said about the French monarchy as it was destroyed: "Let them eat cake!" (Marie-Antoinette). The church is being destroyed as Satan takes away parts of the cake one piece at a time. Look around this Sunday and dust off the memory banks: Where did they go? of those missing people who are hardly missed. Some of the missing "pieces" are in friendlier churches but others lie moldering on their Sunday morning sofa.
     Satan stole away many of the pieces of the church; many noticed, but few cared! How long does it take to be friendly? How awful is it to include?  It's doesn't take long and it is not awful!
     Preachers preach. That is what they do! On the other hand, ministers minister. Did your deacons hire a preacher or a minister? I bet they hired a minister but got only a preacher! Sure he cares for the flock but the flock is malnourished and its growth stunted. The minister must be the chief shepherd who sets the example and leads the others as they garner strays from around.
     The first time I attended Plainfield (Indiana) Wesleyan Church, there were thirty-two people in attendance. After three months of training how to love (under the renowned John Maxwell before he became famous) the church grew to almost 350! He was the chief shepherd and the congregation was so enthused by his mentoring that they all became shepherds as well. There must be a chief! After he left, the attendance soon dropped again. The minister matters! His leadership is essential. His enthusiasm is paramount. Part of his job is caring about the numbers! Of course, the goal is for sinners to be born-again but to do that requires that sinners hear the message. Part of ministering is gathering the flock!
     After the flock is gathered, and the sheep are cleansed, some may stray. The minster's job is to protect the flock from evil ones! That's why David was made king. He protected God's Church - the Hebrew people - from the beasts who were vicious. Ministers are to be like David!
     After they are gone is usually too late to bring "them" back. There are signs that people are about to stray. Ministers should be able to recognize the signs. Usually tithes fall off, volunteerism diminishes, and soon their attendance drops. Rather than gathering the straying sheep, the others just watch them stray, and the preacher throws verbal rocks at them. Satan must be stealing them away but he is using God's sheep to do the scattering!
    I see this happening. I am willing to gamble that you do too! I have watched sheep straying and was lulled asleep as it happened. You have too!
    When I attended one particular church in town as a newbie, I welcomed an unfamiliar woman who came to church. She retorted, "I've attended here for twenty-six years!" To that I asked, "Then why have you not taken he time to meet me?" She was floored! I'm sure I made an enemy because the truth can hurt.
    At the same church, I led a visitation team of about thirty people. We cared for the scattering flock and gathered new sheep to the church. However, as the flock was about to grow, Satan sewed discord. One "Christian" woman even told a newly wed nineteen years-old girl, "I know your mother, and we don't get along. There is not room for both of is here!" Satan's emissaries did that and the preacher let it happen! The numbers fell, and even I left the church because of the discord.
    If the congregation is kept happy, they will be there. Everyone has a talent and each talent has utility. Those who are not doing what God calls them to do will stray sooner or later. The other sheep will merely bleat as they watch them go. The shepherd will just blame the sheep for straying.
     I hit churches hard with this commentary. They need to be hit hard! While everyone is singing with joy, silent people may not be joyous enough to sing. Soon they will be singing but possibly in a different choir.

Depression and the Fear of Death

     Depression essentially boils down to fear of dying. People either fear punishment or annihilation. Isolation in life is a preview of both of the two fatalistic alternatives. People observe their loved ones experience death and fear the same for themselves. Scripture refers to physical death as a "sting" (1 Cor 15:55-56). Sin causes physical death but it also results in spiritual death. That "sting" is what we all fear because it is the prelude to the future.
     Death is highly stressful. If a dying person is conscious as the heart ceases to pump, it is immediately known that death is imminent. The moments between the stoppage of the heart and when the brain ceases functioning is a time of high anxiety. Clinical death occurs in about three minutes after cardiac arrest. That period is surely the sting one feels as sin overcomes the flesh. However, clinical death has no claim to the spirit. Mankind's soul is immortal but immortality has its drawbacks. For most, those last three seconds can mean that they know their destiny!
     My own Dad knew such a person who had a near-death experience. He didn't see shining lights and long tunnels with beauty at the end. That evil man experienced hell-fire and said so! He begged in his last moments that a sheet be placed between himself and the fireplace because of the extreme heat. That was to no avail. He had spiritually entered the gates of Hell! Those few minutes were when sin caught up with him. He died shortly after in agony. Hell may be just a moment away unless the person has "fire-insurance".
     I fear the sting of death but don't fear death itself because I will actually never die! Those without "fire insurance" will not only have a sting but be forever dying. That is a gruesome thought! When people experience inoculation, the doctor often says, "this will sting for a moment". For those not safe with God, that sting is forever and horrific. Unless one is right with God, they fear the sting because it will never end.
    "Hope" is the cure for that depressive fear. I fear dying but don't fear death because my hope is that I will never die. Hope is not hoping for deliverance but looking forward to it! Sin dims that hope. We never look at hopelessness as sinful but those with no hope have extreme doubt and little if any faith. I don't worry about death and am seldom depressed! It's not that I am certain of Heaven but am convinced of it! Agrippa said to Paul: "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." (Acts 26:28). Unlike Agrippa, I have been persuaded! What persuadeth me? The alternatives!
     There is a third alternative to Hell or annihilation. That third choice is eternal life. Christians have that hope for if they don't, perhaps they have not been fully persuaded. I submit the fix for a life of depression is hope in eternal life! To be born-again necessitates that there is eternal life and it can be obtained by faith. With that trust, hope is born. Rather than feeling the sting of death, the person who is truly born-again will feel the ping of hope! 

Psalm 34:17 The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. 18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

     That appears to be deliverance from depression! That delivered me, and it can you as well. Wait... there is more:

Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

1 Pet 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Jer 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

      It should be obvious with these few of many verses that hope is the outcome of trust. Why do people fret so much? They are of little faith. Faith is much more than lip-service. I know as I write this that I deserve punishment. On the other hand, Jesus died that I might live. He healed my spirit that I shall never really die! If Jesus's can do that with my death, look at what he can do with my life (and yours):

Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

     No one knows for certain the cause of depression. I believe it to be an outcome of original sin. Hardship came on mankind came with sin. The greatest hardship mankind bears is mortality. Mankind died spiritually at that moment to provide God the opportunity of saving grace. With that hope, fallen man should feel joy and be without depression.

     Right now I fear dying more so than an infant's fear of the dentist. However, I know that anxiety should last only a moment before bliss sets in. With a score of cavities, I remember well when the dentist fixed my teeth. I had seldom been without pain. When Jesus heals me for good, there will be no more pain nor anxiety. I look forward to that time and realize that I must die to obtain it!

Phil 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Depression

     This is the era of depression. Every era has been. There are two types of depression: major depressive disorder and mood depression. My experience is with the latter. Mood depression is a normal response to life whereas major depressive disorder may be genetic and is more invasive, prolonged, and may result in psychosis. The cause of major depressive disorder (MDD) is not entirely known but it seems to be of a clinical nature as medicinal treatment is the most effective.
     My own mother suffered from MDD for several years. Although genetics cannot be disproven, I believe life events coincided with her depression. Mom had many! Her  beloved Pappy died at a young age, then her favorite nephew was sliced to ;pieces in a wreck. After that Mom could barely cope. A genogram is a method of examining the interconnection between life events and psychosis. Mom's MDD was to the extent that she merely stared off into space for long periods of time. She never hated herself nor had low self-esteem. She merely was apathetic to life!
     The major life events which seemed to trigger Mom's depression were two occurring in a relatively short timespan: (1) She learned something severe from long ago which hurt her tremendously, and (2) her grandson who had been with her daily was removed from her care by his mother. People can handle one extreme negative life-event at a time but when another and another keeps piling on, life becomes calamitous. Thus, it may be that mood depression is reaction to deleterious events but MDD may come from compounded events with little relief in between.
     When events happen which upset the psychological "apple-cart" it takes time to heal. When there is not enough healing time in between deleterious life events, abnormal behavior becomes the norm for the afflicted. Rather than having emotional peaks and valleys, those with MDD have mostly valleys. Those extended valleys are "depression" and are rightfully named.
     People have different temperaments. Abraham Lincoln was melancholic, for instance. Temperaments are factors which have an influence on personality types. Temperaments are how people are inclined to respond emotionally to life events. Those with melancholia seem to be predisposed to moroseness. Joy seems to be elusive. If one examines Lincoln's loss of his children and the depression of his wife, he seemed to have reason to be melancholic. Add to that, the unexpected severity and unnecessary deaths coming from the Civil War, and indeed, even the most content would become morose.
     I'm proposing that MDD is more behavioral than genetic or biological. If one wonders why the depression, life events must be examined. Of course, life events can't be undone but how they are viewed can be.
     I had three simultaneous deleterious life events in 2008: (1) the economic recession in which I lost most of my 401k, (2) an unexpected unresolved court case in which I lost many thousands of dollars, and (3) my own retirement. Those three climaxed in the same week, and I became quite depressed to the extent of physical illness. For the first and last time in my life (hopefully), I could not handle this deep and endless valley by myself. Fortunately, there was medicine that could help me tolerate the pain but the medicine merely placated the symptoms. The "problems" were still there. No one can "fix" psychological abnormalities. They can only be masked or overcome. Psychologists can mask and the person can overcome.
     Until I could get a handle on me, the prescribed pill masked the negative life events. However, even with the pills, the problems were still there. I had to learn how to live with the problems. One thing which always helped me with depression is knowing that I was not the first nor the greatest to be depressed. For mood depression, I had often turned to the Book of Ecclesiastes. King Solomon, the wisest and perhaps the richest man on earth had everything but he was still depressed! "Things" mean little because we all must face death. Negative life events are much like death. There is a dread that things will not ever be as they once were. With my compounded pecuniary losses, I had resolved that in retirement I would be distraught. I failed to trust God to take care of me!
     God doesn't promise riches but he does take care of us, and prevents Christians from having more than they can handle. Satan's emissaries gave me much to handle. I was another "Job" who they were discouraging. Job made it through the loss of family members, land, animals, and money but still trusted God. In the end, God took care of Job who never ceased to trust  in God!
     My losses were financial in nature as many are. I still had my family, house, car, and even luxuries. What was I so stressed about? I was thinking irrationally! I was born with nothing into a family with next to nothing. At that point in life even with all my losses, I was still wealthy compared to the world. Rather than thanking God for my prosperity, I was into myself because of a loss of some of it. I was "awful-izing". I believe a negative disposition is sinful. My negativity was failure to trust God. To get "fixed", all I had to do was pray and trust God. I did that and he fixed me. God took care of me!
     As a Christian, I know that I don't deserve eternal life! Sometimes I become depressed because I fear death. I know I deserve Hell, and fear that's where I will go. I sometimes think that I am not good enough for God. I am not! God takes care of Christians, none of who are "good" enough for Heaven. That is called "grace". Because of God's grace, I can face tomorrow, as the old song goes! God fixes depression. There is nothing He can't fix! Job surely had MDD. In spite of all the calamity, God fixed Job and he can fix us. With a little faith we can move mountains. With only a small amount of faith, God moved me from the valley to the mountain top!
     My problem wasn't really the money. I believe the sub-conscious contributor to my depression was knowing that I should depend on God more. Look to whom I first turned - the doctor. It never entered my mind to seek help from God, I only thought of the pill which could fix things. When the pills are gone, the problem is still there and so is God. The pill made me feel better but God fixed me when I finally came to Him. I was never rich but was always prosperous. Now I am content with what I have because God took care of me!
     Throughout my life I never spent money on things for me. I did for my family. I was happy but some of them were not. Money does not provide happiness. In fact, avarice is the root of all evil. Everyone should be content with having their needs met. Luxuries in these days are taken for granted. Americans take things for granted, and I was one of them. Where all of us are heading, there is no use for money. I was just getting a head start!
     Jesus heals. That is why God came down - to heal the nations. He never promised prosperity but eternal life. The Abrahamic Covenant was God's promise of a Healer for the nations. Prosperity was given for those who depended on Jesus. That prosperity was mostly not the tangible but the intangible. Spiritual life is contentment and spiritual prosperity is joy. God lifts the depressed from depression to hopefulness. Jesus said, "You must be born-again" (John 3:7). We must quit taking care that or snakes don't bite, and lift God up and the venoms won't kill us. Only when people look down at the problems and try to step around them, will the depressive snakes bite. If we lift God up and look to Him, God will take care of those depressive snakes.
     Remember, the physician cannot heal himself; how could he heal us? God will take care of you. Let the Great Physician do His healing.

Love/Hate

     Today's commentary could be the typical: about the various types of love. However, there is only one type in actuality which results in the other types. Agapao is an attitude about God, His creation, and His creatures. Suffice it to say that it is caring and respect for God, and is not emotional at all. Of course, agapao-type love can become emotional when one empathizes with God. He expects love from His creatures.
     Why should people love God? By grace God created us. We exist because God wanted us for companionship. Agapao is having the attitude, I am so grateful for being, that I honor my Creator. It is imperative that God be recognized as Creator in order to show love for Him. By denying Him as Creator, robs God of His Glory.
     Glory means "fame" or "renown". God is Glorious because He has always Existed. What event is God famous for? Creating an existence for mankind. God's create. That's for what they are acclaimed. Thus, the most obvious thing mankind can do is appreciate God for creating them! That is an attitude. Taking our lives for granted is inglorious. or ignominious. Denying God his Creatorship is hatred. Miseo is "hate" in the Greek and according to Strongs' Dictionary means "to denounce". Thus, denying the Creator God is hatred because it denounces God - the Existence who is Supreme enough to Create.
     Of course, there are reasons to denounce God. Strong's gives the reason: "to detest" but that detestation must have a reference. Scripture demonstrates that detestation comes from loving God less than other gods. It is not profundity but lessening. There are truly not "other gods". Those false gods were created by mankind. To love God means to accept Him as the One True God. I hope you see the problem here: God created mankind but mankind created other gods! In whom does the power lie? It is mankind who are "as gods" (Gen 3:5) or "like God" in the English Standard Version. Mankind are really not gods but Satan deluded mankind to think that we are. That was the original sin. Endeavoring to denounce God by stealing His Creatorship from Him is hatred.
     There is nothing emotional about agapao-type love. It is the attitude, I'm not God... God Is! (That is born-again). The emotional response of love comes about when a person realizes that he nor anyone else shows God proper respect and is ashamed. Thus, coming to be ashamed of oneself is to love God!
     Hatred of God is denouncing God's Existence. He is many things. He is Creator, Comforter, Savior, King, Goodness, and the like. Robbing God of any of His attributes is hatred. Because diminishing God is denouncing Him, rather than holding God in high esteem, that is hatred (miseo).
     But we are to love others, not because they are gods, but because they are God's creatures. God created everyone, even evil people. Love of our fellow man is because that's who God created. Of course, we are to love animals because they are merely instinctual and are not evil. Even the serpent was not subtle itself; that was because it was Satan's mouthpiece.
     On the other hand, mankind has more than instincts. We have souls. That is one of the three images of God. Some believe that soul and spirit are interchangeable. I do not. Spirit is from God. We are not gods. Thus, when mankind was created, God gave him a container for His Spirit. That container is the "soul". Analogous to that is the void into which creation was placed. The Creation is not e=mc² but Existence=Creation x Timelessness, or God made it all instantly!
     God created in mankind that invisible vessel which holds His Power. Jesus referred to that vessel as his "cup". Thus, our soul is the cup for God's Holy Spirit! Those who wish to destroy that "cup" denounces the ones created in God's likeness. Thus the sanctity of human life is imperative to love. The Bible equates hatred and murder (1 John 3:15). Thus to denounce anyone is murderous. Denying one their livelihood is murder because it denounces their personhood - their image of God.
     I am strongly pro-life. If you wish to call that anti-abortion so be it. That epithet was constructed in an attempt to make pro-lifers sound negative. There is nothing negative about being against hatred. One may say, I don't hate my baby, he is merely inconvenient at this time. That attitude denounces the developing human existence. That is the attitude that God's grace is not appreciated, and that convenience is of more importance than existence. God thinks the right to exist is paramount to anything, for both Him and His creatures. Of course, humans can come up with many ways to rationalize hatred. They denounce unborn babies as living creatures, and create by themselves fetal tissue. It's not funny the games even Christians play to placate their hatred for what belongs to God1
     Hatred again is denouncing existence where it be God or people. It's not the intense emotional feelings, but the attitude of respect! Life is precious just because God made it. God is precious because He Exists! That attitude of God's magnificence is love, and respecting His creation is the same agapao-type love. We think of that as philio-type or friendship but loving others is more than being friends; it is respecting their right to exist because God created them! It all goes back to agapao-type love. When our founders expressed the :right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" in the U.S. Declaration of independence, they were merely asserting mankind's purpose: to live and enjoy it. Abortion and any type of murder or hatred takes away those divine rights.
     I thought of this notion because I have trouble emotionally loving God and people. We all do! I am not special in that attitude. I am, though, peculiar in that I elevate God high above myself and of course others. I know my place, and that is subservient to God! That attitude is agapao-type love. We need not be emotional to love but joy is an outcome of that attitude. Satan's angels often accuse me of not loving God. They want me to believe that when I am not joyous. They play games with my mind and attitude to create doubt. I stand firm in my faith. Faith is a demonstration of love.
     Doubt is questioning God's Existence, Power, or Grace. That questioning diminishes God as our attitude becomes more dubious. Doubters don't have an emotional hatred, but essentially denounce God. That is hatred.
     Some detest God because His authority keeps them from doing what they want to do. I don't believe atheists truly disbelieve but that they are in denial so that they can continue to do as they please. "Fortunately" denial of God does not make Him non-Existent but does denounce Him. That detestation is hatred. God becomes a mere barrier to pleasure, and if the Authority is removed from Existence, then fun can be obtained.
     Denunciation of God is what Satan wants because Satan becomes de facto god. He cares little that humans perceive themselves as gods because he knows that they are his. Love is the attitude of the righteous; hatred of the unrighteous. There is no in-between - we are either for God or against Him. Those who follow the law of sin are haters and are guilty of murder. Those who follow the Law of God are lovers of God and man, and are protectors of life. Those who don't protect life side with Satan whether they admit it or not!
     Jesus said simply, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." (John 14:15). The flip-side of that is, disregard my commandments and demonstrate your hatred of Me. That attitude - the willingness to obey God's commandments - is love of God but it also extends to others: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." (John 15:12). Look at what is implied therein: If you hate others, you hate Me. Mankind kills God by not loving others. We are they who crucified Christ. That confession is the start of love.

Do Not As the Pagans Do

     Pagans, in theology, are non-Judeo-Christians. God provided many Laws which separate the Believer from the pagans. The Hebrew people were to remain separate by doing what is right.

“When you come into the land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations. (Deut 18:9; ESV). 

     As the Jews intermingled, they were to maintain their purity. Purity was and is significant to God. Pagans defile God by their practices. "Abominable practices" are things disgusting to the Lord. Scripture refers to them as "defilements". Oftentimes defilements are sexual impurities associated with fornication, and fornicating against God is the worst defilement. Spiritual fornication is having other gods in God's face. Thus, to remain pure, Scripture says this:

Thus says the Lord: “Learn not the way of the nations. (Jer 10:2; ESV)

     The theme of the Bible from Exodus onward is God warning to "learn not the way of the nations." God even demanded that those Jews who were married to foreign wives divorce. (Ezra 10:2-3). That was because the Hebrews were doing the abominations of the nations of their wives. Marriage is symbolic of man's "marriage" to God. It seems that defilement was a greater sin than even divorce because, in this case, God tolerated divorce to eliminate defilement by his people.
     Abominable practices are many and a few are listed in scripture. Of course, "abominations" are doing anything imaginable. Christians would never even dream of same-sex relationships... or would they? That is a pagan practice, and an abomination!
     Christians would never turn to astrology or psychics... or would they? Those are pagan practices, and are abominations!
     Christians would never turn to pagan religious practices... or would they. Things such as belief in nirvana, karma, and yoga... or would they? We hear of bad karma and such quite often in the United States, even from Christians. Nirvana is the culmination of yoga. One is fully enlightened by yoga, and thus are in a state of nirvana. Nirvana is obtaining Hindu Heaven. That is a dangerous place to be in!
     Christians everywhere practice yoga. They really do! Yoga leaders often say to comfort the Christian, "Yoga is not a religion!" Like all deception, that has a grain of truth. Yoga truthfully is not a religion; it is a religious practice in Hinduism and other eastern thoughts. It's Christian equivalent is being born-again. That is when the sinner is enlightened, and becomes a new person. Knowing the truth is what enlightens the sinner and transforms into the new creature.
     Nirvana is Hindu's "new creatures" state, and yoga is the enlightenment process. Yoga means "union with the divine". To be blunt, that divinity isn't God! If not God to whom does the yogi connect? I'll wait a second now for the Christian to guess. Have you? Let me help. It's connection with the angel of light himself - Lucifer, aka Satan and the Devil. In Hinduism, Satan and his principalities are known as Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva - their unholy trinity.
     Many Christians have told me, "I don't practice yoga. It's just exercise for me." This is said right after they call it yoga! It's like saying, "I don't worship Molech, I just do what he wants." Don't throw the baby into the fire of Molech, and don't submit yourselves to the will of Vishnu!
     Satan uses deception such as, "You won't surely die," to get you to do things you otherwise would not do. In pagan practices, Satan says, "God will turn his eye to this innocent practice, so go ahead and do what you wish!" God won't. He despises the pagan practices of other nations! You just may die as a result of reaching nirvana. 
     God warns us about such deception:

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!  (Isa 5:20; ESV).

     When God says things He means them. Maybe Yoga won't send you to Hell but what can be said that the God who died for you considers those things disgusting practices? Satan wants you to do them because he has you where he wants you - fornicating against God by flirting with other gods.
    There is a war going on for your very soul. Just because you are safe from Satan's direct harm, he can still indirectly harm you. (Job 1).

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (Ephes 6:12).

     Christians believe they can outsmart the Devil. They can do his will and God's Will too. One cannot have two masters. Eventually they must serve one or the other (Mat 6:24). If one is doing what the pagans do, whether it be with mediums, astrologers, or yogi gurus, they are doing the will of Satan who is on the way to mastering! 
     Satan is weak as are Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, but those dark angels or imposter gods are much smarter and stronger than you! Just look at how you have been deceived. They are somewhat honest: dark angels tell you what they are after - your soul. They obtain your soul by yoga. You can argue with me but you can't the half-honesty of your guru. 
     During yoga, a woman was told to remove her shoes so as to not offend. Her response was, "Offend whom?" The answer to that is, their gods. She removed her shoes so as not to offend. By doing so, who did she offend? Jesus! He is the alleged master of the Christian, and like Peter, by taking off the shoes she denied God. Of course, she was not aware of that because she had been deceived. Again, Vishnu is smarter than the average person! 
     Many Christians practice astrology, divination, and yoga. I don't wish to offend them, but God's Word often does offend. It is a battle of wills: yours versus God's. Your desire is to do what you will, and God is for you to do His Will. Choose wisely my friend, and don't hate me. I am merely the messenger who must deal with my own transgressions. You must deal with yours!
 

The One Way Wall

     Throughout the ages the Roman Catholic Church in the West and the Orthodox Church in the East had great influence over the governments of Europe, Russia, and them that are now controlled by Islam. The Popes (the West) and the Patriarchs (the East) actually controlled the kings, emperors, and czars. The most noted example was the Holy Roman Empire which Voltaire said was neither holy, Roman, nor an empire, is the best example of a theistic government system. Kings bowed to the Popes who had their own emperors to do their bidding.
     King Henry XVIII wished to divorce and remarry. Since the Pope would not appease him, Henry withdrew from Roman Catholicism and took the English Church with him. Thus was born Anglicism. Therein was a marriage between the Archbishop of Canterbury and the king. Unlike the church which had controlled the king, with Anglicism, the king controlled the Church. Whenever the royal head was changed, the church changed with him or her. Those who disagreed with church tenets either were persecuted, expelled, or fled. America was founded by those who desired to escape the tyranny of the church and state.
     Initially America was Anglican. Maryland was more tolerant and soon Catholics were allowed to worship in the manner of their faith. Rhode Island became Baptist, some eastern colonies Congregational, and Pennsylvania of the Society of Friends (Quakers). By the time of the American Revolution many of the colonies feared that a federation of the colonies would result in a federal religion. At that time, Islam and even Judaism was inconsequential. Thus, America was essentially a "Christian" nation but the religion was early on more tradition than heartfelt. The Great Awakening did indeed make America more Christian, and the dread of government control became prominent.
     At the time of Independence, there were "state religions". Most people were required to be of their colony's faith. Attendance at church was mandatory and those who failed to attend regularly were jailed! Tithing was required and in the Anglican (later Episcopalian) Church the tithe was often tobacco. The vicars would actually assist in farming so the tithe would be greater. In other words, the tithes were taxes, and the government divisions were church parishes.
     The Episcopalian  Church was as authoritarian as the Roman Catholic and English Churches had been. As such, Baptist preachers in Virginia were jailed for erring in the faith. The Craigs of the "traveling church" preached from jail, and finally fled to Kentucky with their flock. Danberry, Connecticut Baptists feared governmental control and Congregational persecution, and appealed to Thomas Jefferson who came to their aid. Thus was born the "wall of separation of church and state" which was included somewhat in the First Amendment to the Constitution:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

     In brief,  the government will not intervene in religious matters. Christians were to be allowed to worship freely or others not worship as may be the case. The wall was impermeable from the government side but permeable from the religious side in that Christians would be free to worship and exercise their beliefs. On the other hand, one theological group could not force themselves on another with the support of the state.
     Christians believe in turning to God in all matters. At that time, most religions in America were Christians, although many were non-practicing. Some indeed were atheists, Deists, and Unitarians. However, they desired to become more tolerant because the dangers of intolerance had been noted. Most assuredly the First Amendment was intended to keep denominationalism out of government and government out of favored denominationalism. There is nothing which implies that our Constitution intended to protect the pagan religions!
     There are three faiths: no faith (atheism), Christianity, and paganism. By rejecting the Doctrine of Christ in government affairs, effectually atheism became the national "religion". Indeed, it takes more faith to disbelieve in God than it does to believe. The religion of the government, then, is atheism; the kindest form or which is secular humanism. That doctrine over time has evolved into the state religion of the United States of America, and it's doctrine is tolerance. Because Christianity was the foundation of America, tolerance is for the pagan religions and atheism only. The government time and time again has shown intolerance for the Doctrines of Christ because Christianity by definition is exclusive since Christ is the only way to salvation. Since Christianity had been the majority, the government with the pretense of tolerance has persecuted Christianity in favor of secular humanism.
     Unfortunately, with the pretense of toleration, intolerable behaviors have become accepted. Pornography, divisive institutions, and same-sex marriage are tolerated but Christians are labeled as "haters". The government doesn't care that our God hates sin of any type, thus, Christians citizenship is mostly tokenism. Christians are considered Christians but our beliefs are in the process of being discounted as insignificant and dangerous! Democracy is now disfavored by most Americans and the government has eroded the rights of Christians. We are the only group which currently has no right to not be offended! Judicial rulings demonstrate that offense to Christians is inconsequential! Christians must bake cakes for homosexual marriages! If I was a baker they would be tasteless cakes!
     The government has replaced God in society. This nation has reverted back to a theocratic institution as the government dictates what can be believed and what cannot. Our profits are used for social justice as our tithes become taxes again. Christians are required to support abortion through taxation. Where is that wall, once impermeable, but now entered in one direction only. The wall once permeable for Christianity is now impermeable but where impermeable for the government is now permeable! It always encroaches on Christians!
     I know what comes next! Government will become the God of America. Those who refuse to take its number will be beheaded. Of course, I know who wins out. God does! The autocracy of government will only last until God's grace is withheld. We shall be judged and those evil will be cast into the lake of fire. The government will lose, and God will win! That's what Almighty God does.

New Testament Ten Commandments

1.       Thou shalt have no other gods before me. (You are not God;  I AM; John 3:14. Acknowledge Me as Creator; Rom 1:20)

2.       Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. (Jesus died for you. Treat Him with respect; Acts 2:21).

3.       Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. (Spend at least one day in remembrance of me; Luke 22:19).

4.       The seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work (Allow me to give you rest; Mat 11:22).

5.       Honour thy father and thy mother (Respect Me by honoring your parents. It pleases me! Col 3:20)

6.       Thou shalt not kill (Thou shalt not hate; 1 John 3:15).

7.       Thou shalt not commit adultery. (Jesus is the bridegroom. Honor the groom by fidelity. Rev 19:7)

8.       Thou shalt not steal. (Give the glory to God, you are His, be His; Rom 12:1).

9.       Thou shalt not bear false witness. (Your father the Devil is a liar; do not be like him; John 8:44).

10.   Thou shalt not covet (Only desire what belongs to God  – live for the Lord; Rom 14:8)

On Principle

     This is the era without principle. The younger the generation, the less principles they seem to have. "Principles" are codes of conduct - doing things just because they are the right thing to do. for the time being, let's put God aside. That should be an easy thing to do because people routinely do that!
     If we look at what the Doctrines of Christ are, it is goodness, kindness, charity, patience, joy, peace, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, and chastity. Which of these traits are not virtuous and desirable? The last three are questioned by some, but modesty is much more than dress. It is meekness. Because people love pleasure they default on chastity, and because people don't like being controlled, they even hate controlling themselves. Why should they control the pursuit of pleasure? That is the majority view.
     It seems that people reject the Doctrines of Christ because they do not want to be controlled. They don't deny that those precepts are beneficial but they are not for them. For most of them, even wicked people prefer them in others. Evil people want to be treated good by others but care little for the Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." The nature of man is to "Do what thou wilt," in the words of the Satanist Anton Le Vey. That is in contrast to doing God's Will.
     Christians, the ones who truly are, have those "gifts" because they are from God. Scripture refers to them as the "twelve fruits of the Holy Spirit" and they are found in the Latin Vulgate Version of the Bible (Gal 5:22-23; in the other versions only nine are listed), and are made reference to is Revelation 22:2.
     Since they are "fruits of the Spirit" only those with the Spirit have them! That is what should make Christians "peculiar people" (1 Pet 2:9). I prefer "special people" but even better is "righteous people". Those twelve fruits should be evident in Christians out of principle! Although they are of God, and are gifts, Christians must use the gifts for them to have utility. What good is peace, for instance, unless one is peaceful. What good is patience unless one is patient? The Christian Principle is to practice until perfect those Christians Principles. Combined they are righteousness. Scripture says:

"If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him. (1 John 2:29, ESV).

     Therefore, the test of conversion is having Christian Principles! "Born of Him" is what Jesus called "born again" (John 3:7) which Jesus said one must be. The born-again Christian has Christian Principles. They by nature do right things because they are the right thing to do. Christians control themselves; we must exhibit self-control. People seem to hate that because that puts God in control. Self-control is harmonizing our own will with God's Will. No longer are Christians to do what we wilt but what God wilt have us to do, using the language of King James' time. Even Christians reject that authority. We are supposed to be "new creatures" (2 Cor 4:17) but still have the principles of the subtle serpent sneaking around and doing what we desire to do.
     A Christian without principles is weak in the flesh albeit their spirit may be willing (Mat 26:41). Believing that God is in charge, those without Christian Principles are doing the will of Satan. It's seems ironic that the nature of people is to reject God but willingly submit to Satan! Satan does offer temporal pleasure but look at what God offers: eternal life in blissfulness!
     I'll stray off for a moment to address those who depend on drugs for existence. What is it they seek? Blissfulness! Tranquility! What is it that they get? Pandemonium - living Hell. I've never been high but I've seen the outcome of insobriety. Alcohol is indeed the Devil's brew and marijuana is the Devil's weed. Why do Christians favor the legalization of either? It is so people can do what they wilt without inhibition.
     Doing things will not send anyone to Hell. God doesn't work that way. On the other hand, God will judge on what we are not willing to do. If our will does not correspond to God's Will, we will be judged harshly. Out of principle, even though I have liberty to sin, I choose not to sin because I have Christian Principles. This is not to be confused with obedience because of the Law, but it is willingness is spite of the Law.
     If my memory serves me, as a youth I enjoyed cigarettes and alcoholic drinks. As far as I was concerned drugs were for druggies, and contrary to Clinton's assessment, most people of our era never smoked dope. I figured only dopes do that. Now I choose not to smoke or consume alcoholic beverages because those things were only for my pleasure. Truthfully, smoking and drinking and the milieu associated with them seemingly offered more pleasure than God's joy. I was wrong. Now I know peace and joy. Now I abstain out of principle; I am doing what God wants me to do because I know it is the right thing to do! Sure, I fail at times with other things but God convicts.
     Peter warned that Christians must be sober and vigilant because Satan is out to devour us (1 Pet 5:8). If Christians have principles, Satan cannot devour us. Satan attempts to get us to leave God since God will never leave nor forsake us (Heb 13:5).
     Of course there are more important Spiritual matters than not smoking, drinking, and getting high but when we are doing what we want to do, are we doing what God wills us to do? Be honest... we're not. It goes much further than that! When we lust or have anger, are we doing God's will? Hardly. Self-control and patience are God's Will for us. We are to do those things just because they are right, even the trivial things. Satan uses trivial sins to compound sin in number and severity. As an example, when I smoked,  I wasn't doing it to magnify God but satisfy me. Therefore, I sought to satisfy myself in other ways because my will was already against God's Will. I chose more agregious things to do. I forsook God's Principles for my own pleasures.
     We must take care in doing what's right for righteousness sake:

But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled (1 Pet 3:14, KJV).  

     That suffering is rejecting what is not pleasurable in favor for what is right! That is Christian Principle and not only is God happy but so are the righteous!

Apathy

     People don't care! If they cared, they would listen and respond. Why should you care? For newborn girls, life expectancy is 81 years, and for boys 76 years. They are not mature enough to worry about dying. The age of accountability when one is old enough to understand life and death is taken to be twelve-years old. Those of that age are have a life expectancy of 70 for girls and 65 for boys. As a teenager, I didn't know the numbers but realized that indeed life is limited!
     One becomes an adult at let's say age 21. Adulthood means that one is on their own. The life expectancy at that age is 61 and 56, respectively for females and males. To make it more apparent that life is limited, see the following actuary chart:

Actuary Chart: Social Security Administration

     This chart combines male and female which is suitable for this commentary. I can look at my age which is 69 and see that I can expect to live about fifteen more years. On the other hand, I can die today and the odds are great that I will die in about seven or eight years. As Scripture says:

...now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light (Rom 13:11-12). 

     At age fourteen my life expectancy was down to about sixty years and even though it seemed that I was immortal, in my quiet time God made me realize that my longevity was likely to be about sixty years. Mom had a dream that I would die at 25, thus in my mind I had only eleven years to live. I had to make arrangements for my death so I took out a "spiritual fire insurance" policy to make sure I would not go to Hell. I believed on the Lord and quit worrying about dying as much. You might say that I had faith but it was just enough to obtain my redemption certificate from God!
     Was I all the way "born-again"? Was I fully spiritually crowned from my spiritual birth canal? Maybe I had merely overcome my earlier apathy, that time when death is delayed by ignoring it. That is a first step because it doesn't take great faith to be born-again or coming to the realization that you can't save you but God can, and that His own death was sufficient. I was a babe in Christ but I cared! That is one great step for mankind but one small step for God!
     I care more about living now because I am closer to death. My "salvation is nearer than when I first believed". Fifty-five years closer to be more precise and I have about used up my "night", and the "day is at hand"! Growing from a babe in Christ to spiritual maturity is caring enough about God and our own longevity to "cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light". Darkness is sinfulness. I still sin, and so do you. Any who maintains perfection are liars: 

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (John 1:8). 

     Those who claim to be blameless lie to themselves and God. The notion that one doesn't deserve to die keeps some from eternal life. Those who are apathetic to sin may die forever, or as I call it - forever dying. Of course, eternally dying is eternal Hell. That's from where the notion of fire insurance comes.
     For years, that was enough for me. God covered my sins and I was satisfied with staying spiritually infantile. Neither had I the assurance of salvation. Since salvation comes at the end (76 years old for me), I had little trust that my fire insurance was efficacious because I didn't love God enough to be willing to obey His Will.  I didn't care enough, lacking empathy, to cease in minimizing God's sacrfice for me. Obedience is how those who have repented of past sins to tell God, I care!

If ye love me, keep my commandments. (John 14:15). 

     Loving God is hard work! Hard work is required to credit God for His mercy. Apathetic "Christians" don't care enough about God to work hard to love Him. I believe apathy is Christians "taking the Lord's Name in vain" (Exod 20:5). That is taking Jesus's death so frivolously that people continue in sin just as if they are still the old creature who was to be put away. Apathetic people may feel certain of their salvation because of what Bonnhoeffer called "cheap grace" - grace without enough value to demonstrate to God any degree of love.
     Apathy can lead to apostasy - that time when some Christians are so careless that their faith has diminished to nothingness. By definition "faith" is allegiance to God. Allegiance means perpetuity; one cannot have faith for a moment and be secure. Faith is steadfastness in trusting God (Col 2:5). Apathetic Christians are not stedfast in their faith, caring little whether they please God or not! Such "Christians" may be apathetic within but are pathetic to God. Think on that - not appreciating God's death enough for one's own sins that time is not taken to please God by not sinning.
     Indeed, Christians are not apathetic by pathetic. I feel that way when I disappoint God. That guilty feeling makes me realize that indeed I care. With that conviction, unless I live with the guilt, I desire to change by pleasing God. I'm sure that I'm not the only one.