| by Robert Harkrider
as published in the March 9, 1999, edition of Life Lines The most common idea of "worldliness" is the idea of overt sin-lying, drunkenness, adultery, etc. The Bible explicitly condemns such a life. "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend to the world is the enemy of God?" (James 4:4). Another kind of worldliness is prevalent which is not so easily recognized as the enemy of God. It is the kind of worldliness which is respectable, for it is involved with only the good things of this world. It has to do with the material-our jobs, family, recreation, education, etc. All of these material blessings have their place in our lives, but any or all of them become sinful if we attach more importance to them than to the service of God (Matthew 6:33). An increasing number of church members are engaged in "respectable worldliness." They are not drunkards, liars, adulterers, etc., and wouldn't be found in company with such. But their lives have become so involved with wholesome activities they have pushed Christ aside. How often do we hear, "I do not have time!" We are too busy earning wages, enjoying ballgames, or visiting friends; consequently, we no longer have time to study and teach the Bible, attend all the services, visit the sick, or restore the fallen. We mean no harm; in fact, we say we love the Lord, but our lives demonstrate a misplaced affection. The blessings of this great nation have become a curse to the spirituality of the church. Take a look at ourselves. We have no time for in-depth study of the Bible, and some prefer a sermonette during the short time that is set aside for teaching. We drive several miles to attend a ballgame but cannot drive across town to attend a gospel meeting. We hardly blink an eye at the debt we assume to buy a new color TV or automobile, but we would suggest a psychiatrist for the man who would make the same sort of debt to support gospel preaching in a needy area. On and on this analogy could go, but probably it would do little good. This kind of worldliness has given us a "ho-hum" attitude toward evil because it seems respectable. We all know the drunkard, the liar, etc., are going to hell, and we will amen the preacher who steps on their toes! But can a person be lost because he worked too many hours making an "honest living?" Or will one be condemned for attending ballgames? Or relaxing with friends? Or for buying a new TV or car? The answer to these questions is found in the parable Jesus taught in Luke 14:16-24. The people who were forbidden to taste of the great supper did not commit any overt act of sin. They were lost over a piece of ground, five yoke of oxen, and a new wife. The lesson is simple: PUT GOD FIRST! "For what is a man profited if he should gain the whole world and lose his own soul?" (Matthew 16:26). | | See also
Library
Topics Virtues
Fruit of the Spirit
|