The Christian and the World

4 Feb 2013 by Tony Dibble-

 

Worldliness is anything that promotes attitudes without Christ or is anything against His message. The love of the world is then the main concern and GOD is slowly set aside. The devil directs men to the things created but not to the Creator. This is similar to worshiping the furniture but having no interest in the carpenter who made the furniture.

 

 

The word “world” in the Bible is used with three meanings: the things created in the world, secondly the people in the world and thirdly, the spirit (philosophy) of the world.

The spirit of the world is never consistent. It welcomed Jesus with “Hosanna to the Son of David” and in less than 6 days cried out for His crucifixion (Matt 21:9; 27:22 & 23; Jn 12:1). Confidence in the spirit of the world is a sure formula for disaster.

 

 

The devil is the prince or ruler of this world who has been cast out by the authority and work of Christ (Jn 12:31; 16:11; Jn 19:30).The whole world lies in the power of the evil one (1 Jn 5:19). However, this does not mean that we take a negative view of the things in the world. Apostle Paul discourages such a view as things made by GOD are good (1 Tim 4:3-5; 6:17).Their value however, must not be cheapened and spiritual standards of life must not be lowered.

As we need to live in the world we should make sure of this balance in our lives. Otherwise, we would have to leave the world (1 Cor 5:10). Watchman Nee compared the Christian to a person in a boat on the ocean.  He was not part of the ocean, but had to stay afloat in the boat, ensuring that it would not sink. Christ keeps the boat afloat when He calms the storms. Christ keeps us from drowning in the world. But we must call on him to do so.

 

                        

Christians are not to condemn the people who live the world, nor to judge them. We are not against people in the world but are against the spirit of the world. We should be sensible and stable in our role as witnesses and ambassadors for Christ. Prayer must be made at all times for the salvation of specific people, especially for our enemies, especially if they have not been saved (strictly, the Christian is not allowed enemies except for evil spirits). That is how Christ expects us to respond in dealing with people in the world: blessings for them rather than holding grudges against them. Christians are in the world to make an impact for, and with Christ (Matt 28:18-20). 

 

Our bodies are made from the dust of the earth and will return to dust. The spirit of the world glorifies the body that we have. This is what is behind the competition and rivalry among mankind. Richard Foster says that money, sex and power are the three things that have been abused by the world and this continues to grow in extent. Money, sex and power have their proper place in life but the spirit of the world has distorted the world’s view of such things. This trap in the world must be avoided. We are to reject this influence by depending on the Spirit of Christ. Though we are in the world, we are not of the world (John 17: 11 & 14). We should not compromise Christ. 

 

 

The fear of social rejection, humiliation, and the possible loss of an income should not cause us to lose face in the world. These things should be dealt with through our prayers. We do not need the world’s ways but the world is in need of our treasure in Christ. We should be confident of this fact. The best thing to give people is Christ. We should not lose face: Christ has given us identity as citizens of GOD’s household (Eph 2:19)—and GOD’s household is heaven.

 

 

We are not afraid of the world because Christ is our peace, a peace different from the world’s. Through the cross of Christ we become crucified to the world and the world is crucified to us (Gal 6: 14). Everyone born of GOD overcomes the world (1Jn 5:4& 5). Christ has overcome the world (Jn 16:33) and the Spirit of Christ gives us that blessing. Therefore our fears about the world’s responses to us as Christians, has no basis.

GOD ensures that whilst we are in the world, we are being transformed by Him into His likeness with ever-increasing glory (2 Cor 3:18). Christ gives us a spirit of love, power and self-discipline (2 Tim 1:7).  We have to put to death whatever belongs to our earthly bad habits (Col 3:5).The call for self-controlled, upright and godly lives is the answer against worldly passions (2 Tim 2: 22).  We must never be ashamed of Christ and all that He stands for.

 

 

The cause of social disorder and evil is bitter envy and selfish ambition (James 3:14-18).Though we live in the world, we do not follow its ways. We have divine power to demolish satanic positions. In Christ, this is done by putting on the new person we are, renewed in knowledge, in the image of GOD (Col 3:10).  We have been bought at a price on Calvary and are not our own. Our attitudes should be the same as those in Christ Jesus when dealing with the world. Christ lives in us (Gal 2: 20) and this is the best defense against the world.

 

 

 

Note: Tony Dibble worships at Endeavour Christian Gathering in Mullaloo Perth, Australia for about 7 years. Prior to this, he was at Church of Our Holy Saviour, Labuan, East Malaysia. When he is in Kuala Lumpur, he now worships at Faith Oasis Fellowship Subang Jaya, Selangor.