Purposeful Living - Part 4
Another major hindrance to fulfilling God’s purpose is a fascination with the world. It seems to me that in the past most believers knew what the world is and the kind of danger it represents to good Christianity, but lately this is no longer so. Today, some believers seem to be confused about God’s purpose for their lives because they love the world and the things that are of the world.
Love Not the World
1 John 2 (KJ2000)
15 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.
16 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.
17 And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of God abides forever.
Notice John does not concede that we can love the Father and love the world at the same time. Instead, he insists that a love of the world proves a lack of love for the Father. John dismisses “all that is in the world” as not being from the Father, but having its origin in the world.
The expression “the world” refers to the political, social and economic systems in operation on the earth. John identifies 3 things (all that is in the world) which motivate these systems:
The Lust of the Flesh - This refers to a desire on our part to satisfy the cravings of the flesh. The problem here is that sometimes we don’t learn to control or deny our fleshly desires, and then this makes us unwilling or unable to pursue God’s purpose when temptations or conflicting choices are presented to us by life. We must learn to place our bodies under subjection to avoid this. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
The Lust of the Eyes - This refers to a covetous attitude. While some desires are innate to us, many others are motivated by noticing what someone else has. This can be a big distraction to fulfilling God’s purpose. Sometimes what thwarts a believer is simply hearing a testimony from another believer. What was intended by your brother or sister as an expression of praise and thanks to God should not always be allowed to become the inspiration for your pursuit of a course which is not the one God intended for you. (1 Timothy 6:6-10)
The Pride of Life - This refers to what is popular known as “the ego”. It seems to me that this is what fuels ambition for many believers, especially church leaders. There is nothing wrong with having a bigger church building, bigger car, larger congregation, more money, etc. But when we associate these things with our success in the ministry, it becomes hard for us to obey God where such a choice would mean smaller church building, smaller car, smaller congregation, less money, etc. The Amplified Bible describes the pride of life as “pretentious confidence in one’s resources or in the stability of earthly things”.
How Do I Know If I Love The World?
This isn’t an easy question to answer, but here’s a practical checklist that may help:
When you consistently find yourself sacrificing a Christian testimony so you can indulge in sensual pleasures.
When you believe a rich Christian is better than a poor Christian.
When you believe a poor Christian is better than a rich Christian.
When you nurse ambitions for material things over and above being a blessing to others.
When there are some truths you don’t teach for fear you will lose your audience (especially true for ministers).
When there are people you would prefer didn’t know you’re born again.
When you believe that your great education, human wisdom, secular success, physical attractiveness, impeccable oratory, etc will some how cause others to receive the gospel.
When you criticise others because they have something you don’t have, or have achieved something you haven’t achieved.
When there are so many things you do or don’t do because of a fear of “what people will say”.
Continue in grace!