WORLDLINESS

Worldliness



Let us read Isaiah 13:11

“I, the Lord, will punish the world for its evil
and the wicked for their sin.
I will crush the arrogance of the proud
and humble the pride of the mighty.”

Fact: There is only one way to the father, through the son!

Since the beginning of time God knew that he was going to have to pass judgment on man for their wickedness. He alone is the final authority and judge of the wicked. He will sit in judgment of the world and their ways. BUT our God is so awesome that even though he knew that he was going to have to judge the world for their ways, he gave the world a way out of judgment, the trick is us making the choice to take that path or not.

If we do not choose the right path then we bring judgment on ourselves and deserve everything that we are going to get. Let’s Read John 3:16-17 so that we can understand this better:

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.  God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.”

See we can choose not to be apart of this world and the judgment to come by choosing to believe in Gods son Christ and accepting him as our Lord and Savior.

Key Point: God has to judge as prophesied but he gives us a way to avoid it!
Page 2. Worldliness

Matthew 16:26 says:

“And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?”

There is no benefit to gaining anything in this world at the risk of loosing your souls. We must get our minds focused on Godliness and remember that status means nothing in heaven! IN other words, what does that mean to have worked hard and obtained degrees, titles, worldly things such as money, etc. but not have accomplished anything to feed you spiritually? None of the worldly things matter in heaven so your life here would be in vain!

Matthew 8: 12 says that we are the light of the world, that means that we are role models to the rest of society on Christianity. People are watching your every move to either criticize you or to ask you how to get what you have obtained. Are you ready for the approach?

Key Point: We have to be role models in our behaviors and attitudes, the world is watching!

How must we act as a Christian? VERY different from the world!!!
Let’s read Matthew 12:35:

“A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart.”

“Christian” is an action word; it is proof to the world that we are Christ’s disciple. Our heart determines our Christianity and sets us apart from the world!

You’ll know if your truly a Christian or not because Matthew 16:33 says that there will be troubles and sorrows for us. So, if your life is peachy and nothing goes wrong then you better check who you are serving truly.

There is a price to pay for being a Christian; the world will not like you! And if the world does not like you then, of course with that will come its own problems….Even though we face many trials and tribulations our job is to stay here and show the world the truth of Christ through our different behaviors. Matthew 17:13-19 tells us that Jesus wants us to be here to work in this world. Remember we are here to work NOT to make this world a part of us, or to make it our home. Matthew 18: 36 tells us that this earth is not our home!

Key Point: We are here to work, not make this world our home, or ways…




Page 3. Worldliness

This world is full of lawlessness that is why God established the laws here. (Romans 3:19) We are not the lawless we are his children the ones that are supposed to be role models and examples to the rest of the world. Through us others should be able to see and develop Christian character and they should also be able to draw hope and come to know Christ just by our attitudes. As 1 Corinthians 1:27 states God uses things to make points here on earth, he uses us to make points here also!

When we start to enjoy this world and act like the non Christians and do the things that they do we become useless to God. He can no longer use us here so he lets go of us and hands us over to the rest of the world and Satan pending judgment, there is no turning back…That is why we have to stay focused and be and do exactly what we are here for, it is literally a matter of life and death for us! Remember 1Cor 3: 19 says that the ways of this world are FOOLISH to God!!!

Key Point: We must remember to serve our purpose in the world not serve the world!

Lets read Ephesians 2:12:

“In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope.”

This is how we were all living before Christ and his sacrifice. But we no longer live like this because we are exposed to the knowledge of the truth and Christ so we are now set apart to live using that knowledge- and try to save others as we were once saved. Ephesians 4:19 Says that the ways of this world are not our ways, so we must act like it!!!

How can we live so that we do not put God to shame? Let’s look at Phil 2:14-15:

“Do everything without complaining and arguing,  so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.”

We are to live without complaining- you know what that means…Not even about work! Not only are we not to complain about things but we are not to argue about things- that way no one can catch us off guard, criticize us, and we do not put God to open shame for our behavior. We are to be clean and innocent of the sins of this world, that does not mean that we will not make a mistake or sin, it means that we are saved and making a conscious effort to live as Christi would have lived and God would have us live. We are not to act like the people and participate in the things of this world, not that we cant watch a game, or go fishing, etc. the bible is saying that we are not to join in things that are sinful and shameful, or that take away from God in any way!

Remember that James 4:4 says that Friends of this world are enemies to God! Not only are we supposed to separate from the evil people in this world but 1 John 2:15 says that we are supposed to separate ourselves from the evil things of this world also!
Page 4. Worldliness

I know that all of this is a lot to be asked of us but look at what Christ has sacrificed and did for us, there is no comparison, we owe this to him and way more….All we have to do is just remember that we already have victory in Christ- through our faith so we are ready to take on any challenge this world may bring our way!

Key Point: Friends of this world are enemies to God!


Questions


God will one day pass judgment on this world but what way did he give us out of that?
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What does it mean to be apart of this world?
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How can you separate yourself from the world?
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What can you do to keep strong through your trials in this world?
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What can you do to help others know that this world is not a permanent home?
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