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Saturday, October 11, 2014

1 Corinthians 15:33 - The Law of Entropy


1 Corinthians 15:33
Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

Have you ever thrown a rock into a pond? There are ripples for quite a while after the rock splashes. But - eventually the pond’s surface will become still again.
The second Law of Thermal Dynamics is at work here. It states that things will move toward equilibrium. This is something called entropy — an equal state of balance.
Place a cube of ice in a pot of boiling water and see what happens . . . they will both change until they finally reach the temperature of the environment they are in. In fact, everything is moving toward the same temperature of the surrounding environment.
This principal of entropy reminds me of a similar spiritual principal . . . If we are left on our own, we will change to equal the “temperature” of our surroundings. Since we are in the world, we will eventually be indistinguishable. Ultimately, no one will be able to tell us apart from the rest of the world.
The world has a constant influence on us. For instance, when we hear foul language long enough, it becomes more difficult for us to not use foul language ourselves. We soon find ourselves wearing the same things as those around us, doing the same things, and having all the same things.
Think about what you value . . .
How much of what we think of as being important is dictated by the world we are in? If are constantly bombarded with worldly concepts, it is difficult not to develop the same worldly attitudes.  We must struggle against the temptation to be the same “temperature” as the world.
Romans 12:2: Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
How do we keep from being the same as the world?
Well, that is easy! Every winter when it gets cold, I stand close to our fireplace. After a few minutes, I am warm and toasty. In fact, if I sit down right away, my clothes seem to burn with the heat I have collected from the fire.
It is the same idea spiritually! We just need to continually stand close and warm ourselves in the fire of God’s Word!
When something is the same temperature as our surroundings — we say it is at “room temperature.” We also call it “lukewarm.” Being room temperature as a Christian is not a good thing!
Revelation 3:14-16: To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
If you are not warming yourself in the fire—get there! 
2 Timothy 3:16-17: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Peter 1:3-4: His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.