WORLDLINESS. # 2.

The worldly church is looked upon with disfavor by God. It is not His will that sin should have any place in the lives of her members. He desires the church which is His habitation through the Spirit to be holy and spotless as a fit place for Him to abide. God has spoken too plainly upon the matter for there to be any doubt as to His attitude toward the modern encroachment of sin in the form of entertainment and recreation.

It is in this field of entertainment, recreation, and amusement, that worldliness has fastened its deadly tentacles upon the church. Forms of recreation that are contrary to the spirit of Christ and must rest entirely under His condemnation, are looked upon with favor by many who are church members, for they love the world and the things of the world regardless of the influence such may have upon them. Forms of entertainment and recreation are tolerated among the members of the church in most places, which should be censured without reservation. We hope to make the readers awake to the dangers of such and arouse within each one the determination to give such up forever and then help to rescue others therefrom. We need to "cry aloud and spare not" as never before. Preachers need to do more preaching along these lines.

Let us again suggest a caution in the use of the word "world" as it is found in the Bible. Remember that we noticed in the outset two different ways that the word is used. Notice the following scriptures:

A. "I chose you out of the world." Jno. 15:19.

B. "I pray not that thou shouldest take them from the world." Jno. 17:15.

These passages are dealing with different things. In Jno. 15:9, it is clear that the life of the Lord's disciples was to be different from standards accepted by the peoples of the world. But in Jno. 17;15, Jesus is praying that the disciples should not be taken from among the peoples of the world. The Lord does not want his disciples to be hermits, but He does want them to follow the law of the kingdom -- not the ways of the world. Let us consider two more scriptures in order to emphasize the need for caution in studying the meaning of "worldliness".

A. "Go ye into all the world." Mk. 16:15.

B. "Come ye out from among them, and be ye separate." 2 Cor. 6:17.

The first scripture teaches that the disciples were to preach the gospel to all the peoples of the earth; the second one shows that they were not to be like the peoples of the world in their lives.

The ancient landmarks of Christian living have been removed. They have been set back to take in nearly everything. Too many preachers are afraid to cry out against ungodliness from within. They are afraid they will lose their "job", their popularity, etc. or else they are so guilty of such practices they cannot speak against it. The church needs, as never before, elders, the shepherds and overseers of the flock, who are proper examples along this line. The elders need to have the conviction and courage necessary to stand behind proper teaching against worldliness. If the proper teaching doesn't correct the situation they need to have a "housecleaning." A "housecleaning" is badly needed in some places. Elders, awaken to your responsibility. Almost daily souls are going back into the world to be lost forever because you failed to see after them. Their blood will be upon your hands. Demand that the preacher preach against ungodliness and sin, not just in general and vague terms, but in plain, specific language. Only this kind of preaching will do good. Let us clean up the church and keep it clean -- beginning with ourselves.

John says, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 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. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever." 1 Jno. 2:15-17. Thus God voices His displeasure with the things that are of the world and every child of His should flee "the fleshly lusts which war against the soul."

Through James, the Lord has spoken His will in regard to these matters when He said: "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." Jas. 4:4. How then can anyone think that they shall be pleasing to God if they continue to indulge in the various forms of sin that are before them in the field of recreation and amusement? Just think of being listed in heaven as God's enemy.

In order for us to understand what is meant by the love of the "world", we must have a full understanding of the meaning of the term "world", as it is used in 1 Jno. 2:15. We will study a little to try and comprehend some of the things involved.

A. Notice how the devil attempted to entice Jesus by the flesh's love of wealth, power, and glory: "Again, the devil taketh him unto an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and he said unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me." Matt. 4:8,9. If our supreme desire in this life is for earthly possessions, power and glory we may rest assured that we are worldly.

Lesson One
Lesson Three
Lesson Four
Lesson Five

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