Pastor’s Pen Pulpit Series:
Spiritual Warfare
October 17,
2004
THE
BELIEVER IN THE WORLD
Part
II
This
study involves how the believer is to conduct himself in the world of men. Remember we are in the world of men, but not
of the world system.
1. The standard established – I John 2:6 “The one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked”. This tells us that Jesus Christ set the standard for the believers’ conduct in this world.
2. The believer is to recognize how he/she relates to the world - Galatians 6:14 “But may it never be that I would boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (see also Galatians 2:20; Colossians 2:20). The believer’s relationship to the world and the world’s relationship to the believer is explained by the believer’s relationship to Christ and His cross - Crucifixion!
3. The believer can use this world’s possessions for the glory of God. - I Timothy 6:17,18 “Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share.”
4. The believer is not to allow himself to be influenced by the world
Romans 12:2 – The word “conform” means “to fashion or shape one thing like another” (a mold). “Stop permitting the world to shape you into its mold.” Believers have to be constantly on guard against the subtle seduction of the world. Note the remedy is in 12:2b.
5. The believer is to be a restraining influence in the world. Instead of the world influencing the believer, the believer is to influence the world. Believers are said to be lights in the world. “For you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of light.”
When
we move away from the principal of Romans 12:2, we enter into the realm of
worldliness. What is worldliness? Worldliness is living your life by the
principles of the world system. This is
the only way the unsaved man knows how to live. We Christians should live our lives by the standards of Biblical
revelation. When we move away from
God’s Word we become worldly. I thought
these little quips from Dr. Benjamin R.
De Jong were appropriate.
WORLDLINESS -THE WAY OUT
Philosophy says: THINK
your way out
Indulgence says: DRINK
your way out
Science says:
INVENT
your way out
Industry says: WORK
your way out
Communism says:
STRIKE your
way out
Fascism says: BLUFF your way out
Militarism says: FIGHT your way out
The world says: ENTERTAIN
your way out
But CHRIST says:
I AM THE WAY OUT
“FOR ALL THAT IS IN THE WORLD –
The
lust of the flesh: SENSUALITY
The
lust of the eyes: MATERIALISM
And
the pride of life: EGOTISM
IS NOT OF THE
FATHER, BUT IS OF THE WORLD.”
God bless you all in Jesus’ name,