“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 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 2:15 and 16 ESV
As the church we were never meant to be a cool, trendy and relevant friend to the world. We’ve always been called as a set apart people. An obscure people that are marked by His presence. In the world, but in no way like the world. A pillar of the truth! Revealing holiness that literally challenges the immorality of a perverse and crooked generation. A light and beacon. An example. A fragrance. A prototype of culture. The very body of Christ. The very bride of Christ.
The world and the things of the world are the lust of the eyes, the hunger for power, riches, and fame. It’s a whole system and way of doing things. It is the work of immorality. We aren’t called to conform to this pattern. We are called to be transformed by God’s. He has always intended for us to be counter culture. We are called to be an opposing stream to the current of the World. A people transformed by the Word.
The spirit of the world entices us. It wants us to conform, to follow the course of the world, to walk in similar form and type. The spirit of the world is governed by a lust for power, money, and fame. It wants to be powerful and control with fear. It is dictated by money and seeks self exaltation. It is the works of the flesh.
The conformity of the world puts us to sleep. It sings a demonic lullaby. We aren’t called to be a sleeping beauty. We must be awake! Jesus will return and He’s not coming for a sleeping church. He is coming for an awakened bride. We must be awake in His Word, not sleeping in the world.
We are called to “be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life.” Philippians 2:15-16
We are called to be awake in the midst of this crooked and twisted generation. We are called to be in the world and love the world, but we aren’t called to look like the world or be friends with it. We’ve come so close to it that we’ve allowed ourselves to be conformed to it. We are called to love this generation, but until this generation comes into Christ they are crooked and twisted. The wisdom of this world is demonic. Many people are under demonic influence unaware. In bondage to darkness. Twisted and crooked in their thinking. Ignorant of the truth. God’s Word and Spirit impart spiritual wisdom. We’ve grown infatuated with the world, we must grow in love with the Word, because if we aren’t living from the Spirit of the Word we will be led by the spirit of the World. Let us hold fast to the Word of life!
“You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” James 4:4 ESV
We are in the world, but not of the world. We live in this system but we do things differently. We have a different culture, a different pattern. The pattern of the Spirit and Word. If we aren’t in the Word we will find ourselves conforming to the pattern of this world, seeking after power, wealth, and fame. Becoming friends with the world but enemies of God.
“…this is the will of God, that you be sanctified [separated and set apart from sin]: that you abstain and back away from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor [being available for God’s purpose and separated from things profane], not [to be used] in lustful passion, like the Gentiles (the world) who do not know God and are ignorant of His will;” 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 AMP
God’s will is for our complete sanctification in Christ. For us to abstain from the immorality of the world. To use our bodies for holiness and honor, not for lustful passion. To be washed in His blood, Word, and Spirit. To be transformed into His image and likeness.
“All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power.” I Corinthians 6:12-14
In speaking of the body, Paul said everything was permissible, but not beneficial. We can eat many things and drink many things. But just because we can, doesn’t mean we should. It wouldn’t be beneficial for health and life.
Food is for the stomach. It isn’t meant for indulgence or gratification of our flesh. It is a tool. Meant to nourish and sustain our body. But even food and our stomach will be done away with. Jesus said my food is to do the will of my father. He said man shall not live on bread alone, but every WORD that comes from the mouth of God. He said “my flesh is true food and my blood true drink. Whoever eats will live forever.” Jesus said “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.”
There is a realm we can enter by faith where our physical body (not just our spirit or soul) is nourished and sustained by Christ, His Word, and His will. Where we are fed by glory.
Our body is for the Lord and the Lord is for the body. The Lord delights to save, sanctify, and raise us up! Even our physical body. This physical realm is of great value. His intention is to redeem it. To restore this fallen physical dimension with the Kingdom of God. His passion is the things that pertain to this life! His desire is for the kingdom’s of this world to become the kingdom of our God. For the whole earth to be filled with the knowledge of His glory. For heaven to invade and redeem this dimension.
“Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?” I Corinthians 6:2-3
We the church are called to judge the world. We have authority in Christ to judge things pertaining to this life. We won’t be able to judge the things of this world with justice and mercy if we are conformed by it. But if we’re influenced by Christ we will be able to influence the world. To cooperate with Christ to transform this dimension to the pattern of His kingdom.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2
Transform means to make a thorough or dramatic change in the form, appearance, or character. God wants to transform us in our spirit, soul, and body. His Word makes a dramatic change in our form, appearance, and character. When we feast on the Word we put on the Word! The Word feeds us a different pattern to be formed by: the pattern of God, and the image of Christ. The Word says the greatest will serve. It says do not worry about money, but seek His kingdom. It says do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. The Word became flesh in Jesus and God’s goal is for His Word to become flesh in you and me. As we remain in it, we take on His form and appearance. We become living epistles for the world to read. Our marriages are different, our character is different, our words are different, our homes are different, the way we look at money is different, and the way we lead is different. Everything about us is different when we love not the world.
“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” James 1:19-21
The implanted Word saves our souls. It works in us our salvation and righteousness: Christ! It transforms us (spirit, soul, and body) into His image. It is only the Word that has the power to truly transform us. We must not build on the world, we must build on His Word.
By Micah Level
How has today’s blog spoken to you? We’d love to hear from you in the comments.
(To read more like this check out the new book “The Word Of God: Awaken passion for the bible”)