Theme: The Christian and the World

GENERAL OVERSEER’S CHARGE

 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 forever. [1 John 2: 15-17]

God warns his children to beware of “this present evil world,” [Galatians 1:4] assuring that they will overcome only by their faith in Him: “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” [1 John 5:4]

·         This present world uses many side attractions, allurements, and pleasures (lusts) to take our focus away from God (His word) and His assignment for us on earth. We then permit ourselves to follow after things and men, who now set our life’s agenda.

·         This present evil world harasses us with problems and then offers to solve them because “God doesn’t care, God is too slow to solve them, or there is no God,” as it claims. Our faith in God is destroyed, and in compromise of our calling we begin to seek after other gods such as money, men, magical powers, etc., in order to solve our problems.

·          Jesus tells Christians: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” [John 16:33] He sets a clear difference between Him and the world. In Him the Christian believer has peace, while in the world they have tribulation. In the world, the Christian believer will suffer defeat, but in Christ, they have the victory through faith. Accordingly, we conclude that the term “world” is consistently used in the scriptures to refer to the system of traditions, culture, and practices that are at variance with the Word of God. Christians must accept nothing as substitute for God’s Word in guiding their life, family, and work on earth. Anything short of this, and they are defeated, being controlled by the lust of the flesh (whatever excites and pleases them), lust of the eyes (whatever attracts them), and the pride of life (whatever seems to cover their nakedness—shame and projects their image and respect in the eyes of people).

Let the LORD speak to you in this series, and amend your ways in accordance to His warnings, instructions, and consolations.