“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.” (James 4:4)
That does not frighten most people though, does it, being the enemy of the Almighty? Maybe when severe weather is approaching, when the brush fire starts to head towards your house, or someone yells the word “Pandemic!” again, but until the possibility of pain, suffering and death knocks on their door, the world is, perhaps not a perfect place, but good enough to enjoy for the most part.
Impending doom is of course the modus operandi of these days, the calling card of nearly every news outlet, and the plan to force despair down the throats of those in the world is working perfectly.
“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1)
How many options do you want? The eternal view seems to have been lost by many who have been born-again, the topic is the world, the subject matter depends on what they have been told by the media to fear this week, and in this regard, they are loving the world.
What you pay attention to the most my friends, like it or not, is what you love, what you contemplate, what you discuss with your family, friends and neighbors, what you think of is what you are drawn to. And sadly, many of those who truly are crucified with Christ can speak of the events that are unfolding across the planet with greater detail and interest, than they can, or will, the Word of God.
“Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.” (Psalm 19:12)
Have these words just done that for you? Are you one that stares at the screen in amazement as to how far away from the precepts of the Living God this world has strayed, do you follow the narrative of despair, are you consumed by what you are told to be consumed with by those of this world?
“I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.” (Psalm 101:3)
Ninety percent in the world and ten percent for God, with your money, your time, your talents, your words, eyes and thoughts. Does that describe you?
When the danger gets closer to your home, I am going to presume those percentages will shift dramatically, and then, if it passes and all is well, back to the world.
Professing to serve Christ but following the world. Is that possible for one who has been born-again?
I know the excuses, you want to keep up with current events, you want to ensure you stay informed, up to date so as to be prepared. Do you enjoy watching the world collapse, falling into greater darkness every day? Does it enable you to glorify the Most High, encourage your brothers and sisters in Christ, is following the path of the world the excuse you will offer on your day of accounting as to the means to lift up the name of the Lord Jesus Christ?
I don’t think that’s going to go well for you, do you?
“And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him.” (Mark 12:17)
Your time, your thoughts, your words, these are to be the Living God’s, not the worlds.
How many have fallen into this trap of being concerned with the ways of this evil world and call it staying informed for the glory of God? Far too many.
How do you keep every thought captive for Christ when the majority of your time is spent watching the world?
The sound doctrine is no longer endured by many, they have allowed Satan and his wiles to scratch their ears, to entice them with the woes and cares of the present and approaching evil. Is it any wonder that so many hearts are growing cold, that so many fear today?
Prepare your excuses.
