“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world–the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does–comes not from the Father but from the world.” 1 John 2:15-16 (NIV) One obstacle to abundant life is the flesh within you. Another obstacle to abundant life is the world around you. The world around you is opposed to the Jesus in you. The cultural current is anti-Christian. The world’s values will not be in alignment with the values of the follower of Christ. The way of Jesus is counter-culture. You will likely be in the minority as you live out your faith in a fallen world. “‘I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.’” John 16:33 (NIV) “Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.” 1 Peter 2:11 (NIV) Are you a thermometer or a thermostat? A thermometer reflects the environment and a thermostat sets the environment. God has called you to influence the culture instead of allowing the culture to influence you. The abundant life that God gives is not found on the broad road that leads to destruction. His abundant life is found on the narrow road. Consider the environments that God has placed you in to influence for His glory. Are you overcoming the obstacles and seizing the opportunities to make Jesus known? Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor
Category: Worldliness
Categories
Worldliness
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27 (NIV) There is a perpetual tug on the believer’s life to go back to being a slave to sin instead of a slave to righteousness. Satan seeks to lure you to compromise your convictions and seek pleasure through worldliness. Staying clean while living in a dirty world becomes your daily challenge. God wants you to keep yourself from being polluted by the world. You cannot pursue godliness and worldliness at the same time. Your divided loyalty will not yield the fruit of righteousness. Advertisements in our culture are designed to convince you that need something that you currently don’t have. They always over-promise and under-deliver. The products and services advertised never completely satisfy. Worldliness contaminates our relationships with others as illustrated in Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth. They were placed in a seedbed of wordliness. “Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly–mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men?” 1 Cor 3:1-3 (NIV) Paul continues this concept in his personal letter to his son in the ministry, Timothy. He identifies our desperation for God’s grace in being delivered from worldliness. “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope–the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” Titus 2:11-14 (NIV) Is your life marked by worldliness or godliness? What kind of life are you portraying to a watching world? Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Pastor of Leadership and Pastoral Care