“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.” (1 John 2:15)
The things of the world are simple enough to interpret, money, materialistic items, travel and leisure. The world itself is not so easy to remove from us, for our flesh desires them. Pride, fame, power, things that bring an uplifting emotional experience that revolve around and for ourselves.
We want to hear “good job,” more than we want to say it to another. We want our neighbor to know that we are happy they got a new vehicle, while not coveting it ourselves. Those that have more money, more authority, more than what we have no matter what it is, if we are not careful, will bring other things of the world into our lives, jealousy, envy, strife.
We fight an incredible battle each and every day that the wicked cannot even begin to comprehend, and we do so willingly for the glory of God. “And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.” (Matt. 8:20)
The world would have called Him destitute, in need of social services, would have offered Him a guaranteed monthly income and low rent housing. The world wants to trap you, and if you are not diligent, it will do so, especially in the days to come.
If you have not prepared for your family, then what are your plans? The local food bank, government subsidies, perhaps get in line for the uniform basic income that is approaching? You may as well put the collar around your neck yourself, hook the leash up to it, and hand the other end to your new masters.
My lovely wife and I have had this discussion, and as I most generally do, I have used an analogy, a word picture to describe a possible moment when a decision will need to be made. It is below freezing outside, bitter cold, so cold that if you do not find shelter you will die. The building across the street is lit up, warm, inviting, enticing, and to enter all you need to do is obey their demands. Put on a mask, receive the injection, name any item of the world, obey and be invited in, disobey and die. “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” (Rev. 12:11)
To stand for Jesus Christ, to deny the world is to know suffering, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (2 Tim. 3:12) That is what is approaching and in many places is already here. The world promises and then lies, it takes, it offers a temporary form of security for your freedom, it places people in bondage who fear. What you own they are going to try to take, what you need they are going to withhold from you, unless you obey. You must prepare your heart today for what may appear tomorrow.
Preppers hoard items necessary for the survival of the flesh, we are to lay up our treasures in heaven. Those who seek to live long lives are not those who are looking for a city built without hands. Those who are obedient to the world are not obedient to the Lord first. Those who are conforming to the world are not being transformed by the renewing of their mind.
The world, Satan’s world, is done for the most part trying to tempt people with its wares, fear is now the dominating factor. Fear of the loss of income, of food, of shelter, of life itself, and I fear than many who claim Jesus Christ as Lord are not prepared to suffer.
The account of our Lord having no place to lay His head is uplifting and admirable, until your hands begin to grow numb, until you can’t feel your toes anymore and your face begins to form crystals of ice on it. That light may call to you, in that moment your actions will show you who you serve.
