In This World Not of It

John 17:15 "I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 16 "They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

 As I begin this post, I want all of you to know that I include myself in this chastisement of the church.  I am just as guilty as so many others.  So please don't judge me as self righteous for I am well aware of my own failures.

 God's Word warns us in 1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

 The Greek word for "world" refers to the world system-- to all its values, mind set, philosophies of life, and priorities that run contrary to the will and way of God.

 Through a constant barrage of media reports and images seen, our society including the church at large have become desensitized from what the Word of God says is holy and righteous.  There has become a desensitization to sexual issues, nudity, the sanctity of marriage, the sanctity of life, and many other moral and ethical issues.

 The church (all who honor and worship God and Christ in whatever place they may be) in America has become conformed to the world through education, the media in every form i.e. news reports, TV shows, movies, and social media.  Books, magazines, and newspapers also affect our thinking.  At this point, two or possibly three generations of our society have become addicted to video games and cell phone usage.  We have become more concerned with being entertained than keeping our spiritual lives healthy.

 Colossians 3:2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

 Proverbs 4:20 My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; 22 For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh. 23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.

 If you cannot see this conformity with the world, then you have allowed yourself to be deceived by the great deceiver.  Change can only begin with the recognition of the problem.  A worldly church is a weak, complacent, and apathetic church.

 The church has so gradually become ingrained with the world that they are not even aware that they have fallen into a state of compromise regarding God's command to live a holy life.  1 Peter 1:15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."

 George Barna's book, "The Frog in the Kettle", which states that a frog put in cool water in a kettle on the stove while the water is heated gradually, will stay there until it is cooked,  aptly demonstrates how the church has slowly succumbed to worldly values to the point of losing its relevancy in the eyes of the world.

 The church has allowed society to convince them that "separation of church and state" means that the church should not influence government.  When actually, it meant the government should not control the church.  Thus most believers have stayed away from being influential in our government.  This has opened the way to having many ungodly men and women making decisions concerning the policies, laws, and values of our nation.  Therefore the devil has a large foothold in running the U.S. government.

 We have forgotten that our time on this planet is only temporary.  We have put more importance and attention on earthly issues than on eternal ones.  We are eternal beings and have been given dominion  over this temporary world.  

 Genesis 1:27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth."

 Man fell and gave up that dominion but it was once again restored through Christ.  Instead of ruling as we should through Christ's delegated authority, we have given that dominion over to our enemy.

 Jesus' intention for the church was that it would overcome the world, not be overcome by it.  1 John 5:4-5 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

 Therefore, to overcome the world, we must not be conformed to it.  I cannot express strongly enough the importance of deeply knowing, understanding and obeying the Word of God.

   Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

 Psalm 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You. 12 Blessed are You, O LORD! Teach me Your statutes.

 We must daily spend time in His Word and in communion with Him.  We need to meditate continually on His Word and pray without ceasing (being consistently in an attitude of prayer).

 How many of us spend hours entertaining ourselves but no time with the One Who gave Himself for us?  We spend hours at a sporting event, on hard benches, but cannot bear to spend more than an hour in church worshipping and becoming more intimate with Him.

 God clearly warns us to not love the world.  He states emphatically in James 4:4 "a friend of the world is the enemy of God."

 Titus 2:11 "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,"

 Matthew 16:26 asks us  "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 "For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works."

 I pray that this post will cause you to prayerfully allow the Holy Spirit to help you examine your life and priorities.  If you find yourself wanting / needing to make changes the Holy Spirit will help you implement those changes.

 "May God bless you and keep you; The Lord make  His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The Lord look upon you with favor, and give you peace."  As you grow in His likeness.