Don't Let Water Get In Your Boat - Part 3

The Bible uses the word "world" in a number of ways but there is a "world" that we are not to love, not to be conformed to; and we are not to embrace its philosophies.  This world is basically unseen.  It's made up of ideas and it is primarily spiritual.

Let me make a statement at this point:  The love and craving for money is an attitude that is intrinsic to the evil world system.  When money is used in accordance with God’s will and purposes there is no impropriety.   The unsaved world has a propensity to love money.  That predisposition is part of being in the domain of Satan.   Titus 2:11–12 (ESV), is helpful in that we read: “¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, ¹² training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.” This evil kingdom expresses values that Christians are to renounce.   John himself gives us specific examples:  “For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.” (1 John 2:16, ESV). 

Notice again John’s words recorded in 1 John 2:17 (ESV) , “¹⁷ And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”   The “desires” of the world is that aspect of worldliness that we are saved from and must not love or be-friend.  Peter affirms this when he writes, “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”” (1 Peter 1:14–16, ESV).   What is evil about the world is primarily the desires and passions that accompany it.  Perhaps Dr. John MacArthur is helpful when he writes: “The goal of the world is self-glory, self-fulfillment, self-indulgence, self-satisfaction, and every other form of self-serving, all of which amounts to hostility toward God."

Does this mean that enjoying things of this life are wrong?  Look at the clue Paul gives us in 1 Timothy 6:17 (ESV), ¹⁷ As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.”   God gives us everything to enjoy, but some people become arrogant with them and set their hopes on them.  The assumption is that one could enjoy the things God provides us and not do it in an evil way.  I think that St. Augustine captured the heart of the issue in a prayer to God when he said, "He loves thee too little who loves anything together with thee which he loves not for thy sake."

Here’s another clue from Paul.  Apparently some people were forbidding others to eat certain food; not for health reasons but for spiritual reasons.  Paul opposes the “. . . abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.” (1 Timothy 4:2–3, ESV).  So I can eat food and conform to a worldly ideal.  Or I can eat food with thankfulness.  It’s all about how I do it.  So Paul amplifies this: “For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.” (1 Timothy 4:4–5, ESV). 

So how does this work, practically?   We'll try to apply that in the next installment.



Previous Blogs on this Subject:

Don't Let Water Get In Your Boat - Part 1
Don't Let Water Get In Your Boat - Part 2