The Word – Feb. 3, 2012 - Love Not The World

"Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. And this world is passing away, along with everything that people crave. But that which is accomplished for Christ is what pleases God, and will remain forever" (1 John 2:15, 17).

The world is described in the Scripture as a kingdom that is opposed to God. Satan is its supreme ruler and all nonbelievers are its subjects. This kingdom makes its appeal to mankind through the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. It is a society in which people try to make themselves happy without God. It is a place in which the name of Christ is unwelcome.

Dr. Archer describes the world as "The organized system of rebellion, self-seeking and enmity toward God which characterizes the human race in opposition to God." The world has its own amusements, politics, art, music, religion, thought-patterns and life-style. It seeks to force everyone to conform to its standards, and hates those who refuse. This explains its hatred of Jesus Christ.

Christ died to deliver us from the world. Now, the world is to be crucified to us and we to it. It is nothing short of treason for believers to love the world in any of its forms. In fact, John the apostle says that those who love the world are the enemies of God.

As Believers in Christ, we are called to walk in separation from the world. Unfortunately, the world system has invaded our Christian society to the extent that such warnings from the Scripture are ignored. This is true to the extent that our ambitions for ourselves and for our children may be worldly even when we appear to be spiritual.

The more devoted we are to our Savior, and the more sold-out we are to Him, the less time we will have to indulge ourselves in those things that are obviously contrary to the kingdom of God. C. S. Woods said: "The measure of our devotion to Christ is the measure of our separation from the world."

Our attitude to the world and its system is illustrated best by the song: "This world is not my home; I'm just a passing through." The question is: Where is your home?