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| Worldliness |
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| David
Barnes |
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There
is no doubt that Christians are called on to dismiss the influences of
this world and firmly plant their hopes on the world to come. Passages
like Romans 12:1-2 clearly tell us to be transformed in our old thoughts
and attitudes and move to a spiritual plane by renewing our minds. This
makes perfect sense because it is the old way of thinking that slew us in
our sin. To either remain or go back to the old ways is deadly. God calls
us to better things.
That is why passages
like Hebrews 11 are to be understood by the verbs of action contained in
the chapter. Those worth people of faith left their former lives behind as
they looked for a better place prepared for them by God. They could have
returned to the old life and the old ways but they firmly refused. The
world was dead to them. Their minds and hearts were in a different place.
Yet, while that was
true, the world (Satan) constantly tried to lure them back to a godless
life. Compromises with the truth were dangled in front of them on a
regular basis. Certainly there were numerous "justifications"
for mild changes that would make life more comfortably while they waited
out their time here. Perhaps Demas fell to this kind of trap. At times
they were blindsided by Satan with decisions made in regular life
circumstances. I think Lot saw the water and the grass but not the danger
to himself and his family. It is encouraging to see that while both these
men made poor decisions, they ultimately succeeded in once again leaving
the world behind.
Our circumstances are
no different. The world still calls on a regular basis. It calls in T.V.
and movies. It calls in music and video games. It even calls in the news
broadcasts from godless news agencies with liberal agendas. It certainly
calls in the classroom where our children are taught. It never stops. The
danger is real.
Let me suggest a few signposts
which indicate worldliness in a Christian's life.
First, if you aren't
motivated to pray then I think danger is present. In Ephesians 6:18 Paul
speaks about the need for prayer. Take note that this is immediately on
the heels of the description of the armor of God. If someone is not
interested in speaking to God, they likely are in grave danger from the
world.
Second, if
worship is boring to you then II Peter 1:9 probably applies to your life.
This passage says the person is blind, cannot see very far and has
forgotten he was cleansed from his sin. How can worship possibly be
boring? I suppose it could if we are measuring the way the world measures.
I heard of an advertisement from a denomination which proclaimed both
"traditional services, contemporary services as well as a postmodern
service!" What in the world is that all about?
Third, when Christians sleep in, purposely make plans to miss
worship and are just plain unengaged during worship there is a serious
problem. Their mind and heart are in the world, not with the Lord and His
people. Attendance is important, God says so! It is a necessary spiritual
meal. Think about it. Do you become super excited every time you eat? No,
of course not! We eat because it is necessary. If we did not eat we would
become sick and perhaps die. The same is true spiritually, we need to eat
regular meals to live. I would venture to guess if someone is missing
worship with the Brethren they are not praying and studying at home
either. The world is more important to them than spiritual
responsibilities.
All this can change. People who are weak can become strong. People in the
world can come back to Jesus in full spiritual force. I believe one major
key is appreciation for the sacrifice Jesus made for our sins. If we do
not appreciate that to its fullest extent, then Satan is ready to enter
our heart with other concerns and they are all worldly in nature. The Son
of God came to earth and died for me. How can I ignore that? The world was
my problem, Jesus is the answer, why would I want to go back to the world?
I must never forget the price necessary for my salvation. |
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