How in the "World" are You?
Author: Dr. Kris Jackson
Category: Popular Read
Publish Date: Feb 24, 2011
Views: 19042
We dont hear much from the pulpit anymore about the world or the old term, worldliness. Here are five quick thoughts about our relationship with this present world, number one, live in it but dont love it. John warned, Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world... (1 John 2:16) The world is perishing. Its styles come and go. Whos hot and whos not changes with the wind. To love the world means its your focus and friend. It dominates conversation. You cant break its addiction, like Lots wife taking one last look at Sodoms shopping malls, concert halls and social balls. Looking back she became a pillar of salt, an eternal object lesson to what happens when the salt of the earth loses its savor.
Live in it but dont love it, and second, use it but dont abuse it. That is basically what it says in 1 Corinthians 6:31. Yes, Christians have to use the world. We shop at Target. Believers eat at Chilis just like other people. A Christian can drive a nice car, but he cant let the car drive him. You can have money if money doesnt have you. The church stands separate. Were not a reluctant caboose following the train track of human history. Instead were a steaming locomotive, setting the agenda for planet Earth.
We use the world but dont abuse the world, and third, were confined to it but not conformed to it. Paul declared, Be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2) Or as J.B. Phillips paraphrased, Dont let the world squeeze you into its own mold. The world is good at punching out copies and clones. It cracks the whip and orders its subjects on what to wear, what to read, who to vote for, whats cool or whats dorky. The world is the policeman of political correctness.
Next, we are not isolated from the world but are insulated in the world. In Christs high priestly prayer He prayed for believers to be kept in the world, not taken out of it (John 17:15). Were in the world but not of it. No one can escape temptation. The whole world is under the spell of the evil one (1 John 5:19). Centuries ago, to escape the evils of the world, a monk by the name of Simeon Stylites moved into a little doghouse on top a 60 foot pole and he stayed there for thirty years! Thats how much fun isolation is. No, the salt of the earth is not to remain sealed in the Mortons box up on the pantry shelf. Salt doesnt fulfill its mission until it is out on the table. Rebecca Pipperts book said, we have to get out of the saltshaker and into the world.
Finally, the church is a fixture in the world, not a mixture with the world. Most pastoral search committees look for a pastor who is a real good mixer, a socializer, the life of the party. But our mission is not to mix with the world, but rather fix it. The world system is broken. Only Jesus can rescue fallen man. Thats why we are to go into all the world and preach the gospel. While the world parties, the evangelist is trying to get a generation prepared. So let me ask again in closing, how in the world are you? Jesus said we will be hated, not loved and accepted. But if Christ resides in the heart the believer is secure. His true home is out of this world, so the last prayer of the Bible should be the first prayer on our lips, Even so, come Lord Jesus!
Live in it but dont love it, and second, use it but dont abuse it. That is basically what it says in 1 Corinthians 6:31. Yes, Christians have to use the world. We shop at Target. Believers eat at Chilis just like other people. A Christian can drive a nice car, but he cant let the car drive him. You can have money if money doesnt have you. The church stands separate. Were not a reluctant caboose following the train track of human history. Instead were a steaming locomotive, setting the agenda for planet Earth.
We use the world but dont abuse the world, and third, were confined to it but not conformed to it. Paul declared, Be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2) Or as J.B. Phillips paraphrased, Dont let the world squeeze you into its own mold. The world is good at punching out copies and clones. It cracks the whip and orders its subjects on what to wear, what to read, who to vote for, whats cool or whats dorky. The world is the policeman of political correctness.
Next, we are not isolated from the world but are insulated in the world. In Christs high priestly prayer He prayed for believers to be kept in the world, not taken out of it (John 17:15). Were in the world but not of it. No one can escape temptation. The whole world is under the spell of the evil one (1 John 5:19). Centuries ago, to escape the evils of the world, a monk by the name of Simeon Stylites moved into a little doghouse on top a 60 foot pole and he stayed there for thirty years! Thats how much fun isolation is. No, the salt of the earth is not to remain sealed in the Mortons box up on the pantry shelf. Salt doesnt fulfill its mission until it is out on the table. Rebecca Pipperts book said, we have to get out of the saltshaker and into the world.
Finally, the church is a fixture in the world, not a mixture with the world. Most pastoral search committees look for a pastor who is a real good mixer, a socializer, the life of the party. But our mission is not to mix with the world, but rather fix it. The world system is broken. Only Jesus can rescue fallen man. Thats why we are to go into all the world and preach the gospel. While the world parties, the evangelist is trying to get a generation prepared. So let me ask again in closing, how in the world are you? Jesus said we will be hated, not loved and accepted. But if Christ resides in the heart the believer is secure. His true home is out of this world, so the last prayer of the Bible should be the first prayer on our lips, Even so, come Lord Jesus!
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francis (March 2, 2011)
The brethren of The Messiah have taken heed unto The Call to "Come Out of her, MY people" and no longer have their portion with those who follow "the broad way that leads to destruction"! Thankfully they are but "aliens and pilgrims while on the earth" for their "citizenship is in Heaven"! They have "Come Out" of this wicked world and it's systems of religion and have taken heed unto the exhortation to: “Love Not The World” ”For the WHOLE(not just a portion) world is under the control of the evil one”.......(I John 5:19) “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves 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 will pass away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of The Only True GOD will abide for ever.”(IJohn2:15-17)
continued @ asimpleandspirituallife.bl
The brethren of The Messiah have taken heed unto The Call to "Come Out of her, MY people" and no longer have their portion with those who follow "the broad way that leads to destruction"! Thankfully they are but "aliens and pilgrims while on the earth" for their "citizenship is in Heaven"! They have "Come Out" of this wicked world and it's systems of religion and have taken heed unto the exhortation to: “Love Not The World” ”For the WHOLE(not just a portion) world is under the control of the evil one”.......(I John 5:19) “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves 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 will pass away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of The Only True GOD will abide for ever.”(IJohn2:15-17)
continued @ asimpleandspirituallife.bl
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born again-christian approach on worldliness : [1] live in the world_but don't love it ! [2] use the world_but don't abuse it ! [3] is confined in the world_but not conformed to it ! [4] not isolated from the world_but are insulated from it ! [5] church is a fixture in the world_not be a mixture in it ! a reminiscent !!!!!!!!!!!!