ARE YOU SURE
by Pastor William Heinrich
Are you sure you know what worldliness really is? For many, it is a modern
Jezebel; for
others it is forms of entertainment, such as movies, music, and cards. Many
differing opinions
come forth when worldliness is described by a group. It isn’t hard to find a
biblical answer, but
I’m convinced most people really do not want such an answer. They feel secure
with their
“worldly list”, since keeping it makes them feel better than those they know who
do not.
Two Greek words are used for worldliness (cosmos and aion). By reading every
place
they are found, it is obvious that neither word always means worldliness. Only
context can
determine their meaning. However, when context demands it, we find worldliness
means the
present order of man, and things that stand in opposition and alienation against
God (John
12:31). The whole system is in Satan’s lap (I John 5:19), and has him as its
prince and god (II
Corinthians 4:4 and Ephesians 2:2), so it is a place of spiritual darkness
(Ephesians 6:12). It is
hostile to God (James 4:4). Everyone born of woman walks according to its system
(Ephesians
2:2-3) and seeks its approval.
However, Jesus Christ has granted gracious deliverance for the believer from the
world.
Scripture says the cross of Christ cut the Christian’s umbilical cord with the
world (Galatians
1:4, 6:14). It says a true believer does not have the love of the world in him
any longer (I John
2:15, John 17:16). It says new birth gives the child of God new goals to wage
daily war against
the world (James 1:27, 4:4, and Romans 12:2). No more is the one whose
citizenship is in
heaven seduced by the world’s standards, abducted by its lusts, lied to by its
prince, and
deceived by its spiritual darkness.
But we must remember Demas. He was not delivered, but tried to love God and the
world, and forsook the Lord, “loving this present world.” It was not modern
Jezebel or
entertainment. It was men, and things in opposition and alienation from God,
having standards,
goals, institutions and a world life view as secular and not sacred. Are you
sure you know what
worldliness really is?