“Love Not the World By Glann M. Lee The Holy Spirit declared through the apostle John, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (1 John 2:15-17). The word “world” here is translated from “cosmos” and refers to the world as an organized system. Paul also warned against walking “according to the course of this world” (Eph. 2:2). Satan himself set its course, for “the whole world lieth in wickedness” [or, “the wicked one” (1 John 5:18)]. The world, of course, does not love us! “I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you” (John 15:19). “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before that it hated you” (John 15:18). Christ stated the reason the world hated Him: “Because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil” (John 7:7). Worldliness, the love of the world as seen from 1 John 2:15-17, consists of (1) lust of the flesh, (2) lust of the eyes, and (3) vainglory of life. There are “not of the Father, but of the world” (1 John 2:16). “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son” (John 3:16). Christ prayed for His disciples: “As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I sent them into the world” (John 17:18). Christ loved the people of the world, not its pleasures, possessions, or positions. One is worldly who is more concerned by pleasures, possessions, or positions. Jesus warned about being obsessed with “the cares of the world” (Mark 4:18,19). Even religion for the purpose of advantage is worldliness (Gal. 6:12-14). “Lusts” here translates a Greek word defined as “desire for what it forbidden.” Sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4). “Vainglory of life” is love of wealth, worldly pomp, and glory, which puffs one up with pride for the purpose of being glorified by the world. On one occasion, in answer to the question, “What is the greatest problem confronting the Lord’s church today?” the three most prominent answers were: (1) ignorance of God’s Word, (2) lack of qualified leadership and (3) worldliness. Of these three, worldliness was listed as the root problem of most others facing the church today. Worldliness destroys dedication and divides disciples. A worldly disciple does not see the importance of regular attendance of services, does not know the joy of giving self completely to the Lord, and cannot be depended upon for essential works of the church. He is not a soul winner. He does not see the importance of evangelism. He does not understand the importance of growing spiritually to become a teacher of others (2 Tim. 2:2). What about a congregation that is over one hundred years old and has never had elders? What about a congregation that predates the Civil War but has no teachers who have been developed within the congregation? What about a congregation that has no plans for training men to teach and preach? Divided loyalty is a consequence of worldliness. Worldliness is the opposite of spirituality. Spirituality is not quickly acquired, but requires conviction, courage, and continued efforts; a dedicated life cannot be reaped in a hurry. “The friendship of the world is enmity with God” (Jam. 4:4). “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ” (Tit. 2:11-13). “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” (Rom. 12:1). Life is not to be a quest for pleasure but a conquest for Christ. The world with all its pleasures, fame, glory, and glitter will pass away (1 Cor. 7:31). We are only pilgrims in this world (1 Pet. 2:11), but the one who lives according to God’s will lives forever (1 John 2:17). Inasmuch as the world with its lust will pass away, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mat. 16:26). [EDITOR’S NOTE: I was my intention to feature an article by W. Tom Hall, one of the speakers in our upcoming lectureship, in this edition of the bulletin. But, I was not able to acquire one, so I have featured this article on worldliness, instead. Be sure to come and hear bro. Hall on Saturday morning, during the lectureship (April 21 & 22).]
Posted on: Fri, 21 Mar 2014 09:38:43 +0000
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