by David Brenneman
"The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it, that its deeds are evil." John 7:7.
"Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone 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 boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever." 1 John 2:15-17.
"Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:1-2.
If the deeds of the world are evil...why are we trying so hard to fit into it?
Why should those who follow Jesus look like everyone else in the world in our thoughts and actions?
The reality is that we are to be lights in this world. The light in any physical place illuminates everything it touches, whether good or bad.
"Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.” Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." Ephesians 5:6-17.
We will never show ourselves different to the world if we continue to try to fit into a way of life we were to depart from. How will people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven if we don't stand out in a way that we look differently in our words and deeds?
We can make good spiritual use of the things that this world has. We must still take great care that these things we do grab ahold of aren't hurting our witness to the world.
A sober question is: Should Christ-followers ever mention that they love this or that that the world provides? Isn't that how the world describes such things?
If the Scriptures say that the man of God should be free of the love of money, shouldn't that go beyond that as well to other things that the world battles and wars to own?
Satan's schemes are sculpted to each person in order to trap them.
To keep them from achieving their potential in Christ.
You, my Dear Reader, are in the midst of a world that absolutely does not have its best in mind for you. This world wants you to leave any and all parts of your walk with Jesus behind. Even if it's in some small thing.
Jesus testifies that the deeds of this world are evil. If indeed we are followers of Jesus Christ then the world is going to hate us just as it hated Him. Jesus follows up this by encouraging us that we should be of good courage that He has overcome the world.
When the world doesn't get us not participating and ridicules us we are to be of good courage.
When the world points a finger at us because we don't compromise and wants to punish us we are to be of good courage.
When the world refuses anything to do with Jesus and their need for Him as their personal Lord and Savior we are to be of good courage.
Our lives...are not ours...
"But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him. Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body." 1 Corinthians 6:17-20.
It's not about us getting what we want or think we deserve. It's us being a disciple of Christ and showing a lost and dying world that there's room at the cross for them.
It's living a life so different from the world that people want to know the reason for the hope we have.
This is a transformed life not a conformed life.
A conformed life is absolutely no different than a person who never came to Christ in the first place.
The world will be relentless in trying to get a Believer to conform. To water-down what love's meaning is. Love not the world nor the things of the world.
They are at odds in our lives until the day we die.
Love this, love that. Love this team love that food. Love this car, love that place. Take the meaning of love and make it mean something else and be accepting of it.
That's a scheme of Satan.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit.
Love your neighbor as yourself.
“You shall not profane My holy name, but I will be sanctified among the sons of Israel; I am the Lord who sanctifies you," Leviticus 22:32.
"For this is the will of God, your sanctification; " 1 Thessalonians 4:3a.
Sanctification: the action of making or declaring something holy.
To be holy is to be set apart.
Take a look at all the compromises you have allowed in your life.
Take a look at what you do, say or think that isn't holy.
Take a look and my Dear Reader...turn away from such things.
We should be living examples of Christ to a lost world. The world may hate you for it. You may take a financial hit for stopping something you've paid into. You may lose some relationships born of these compromises. You may lose your status among people.
Jesus did too.
Be holy as He is holy.
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.
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