In the first part of this series on “love not the world”, we learnt that the chief desire of worldly people is to please men rather than God. But true children of God are strangers in his world, because they are actually citizens of heaven. Therefore, their desire is to please God rather than men. We also discovered some of the characteristics of worldly people as well as those of spiritual Christians. We concluded with a warning to flee from the killer called “LUST”, and that wise Christians are not worldly whereas worldly Christians are not wise. Now, we want to continue our study on this essential theme. May the Lord quicken our understanding in Jesus Name.

1. WEALTH WITHOUT CHRIST IS WORTHLESS:

a. Wealth without Christ is a waste of time, energy and effort. The best the world can offer us is vanity. There is nothing to be envious about in the prosperity of sinners. Their end shows that those who put God first are wise. The poor Christian in the will of God is far superior to the rich sinner, and any business endeavor that leaves God out of the picture or places God second is foolishness of the highest degree – Psalms 39:6-9, James 4:13-15, James 1:9-11, Psalms 73:3, 18 -20, Prov 10:22.

b. They say, “things of beauty are of joy forever” but doesn’t beauty fade?

All the beauties of the world are transient. The old women of today were the beautiful damsels of yesterday. Everything will fade except the word of God. That is why it is foolish to follow the fashions of this world. In any case, how long are we going to be here for? And why must we love the creatures more than the Creator, particularly when we know that the creature will pass away but the Creator remains forever – Isaiah 40:6-8, 1 Corinthians 7:31, Psalms 90:9-10, Psalms 102:25-27.

2. IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO CALL JESUS ‘LORD’ HE MUST BE TRULY ‘THE LORD’

a. If the living God is your God, you will desire above all things to know his will and do it, because He is a good God and His will is not grievous. In any case, you have to do His will to qualify for heaven and His will is opposite to that of the world. Only those who do the express will of God are true brothers and sisters of Christ. Others bear the titles “ brother” and “sister” in vain. Psalms 143:10, Matt 21:28-32, Mark 3:31-35, John 7:11-17.

b. TO KNOW JESUS IS TO LOVE HIM: TO LOVE HIM IS TO DO HIS WILL:

The will of God concerning your body is that it be a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to Him (not to the world). Concerning your mind, His will is that you do not think the way of the world but to constantly strive to be exactly like God in goodness, perfection, soberness, humility, and faith. He wants you to know Him, please Him, be worthy of Him, joyful, strong, fruitful, wise, patient, sanctified holy, honorable and always thankful. In particular, He wants you to avoid fornication and adultery at all cost – Romans 12:1-3, Col 1:9-11,4:12, 1 Thess 4:3-7, 5:18, Heb. 10:36, 1 Pet. 2:2.

3. DEATH ENDS YOUR STAY IN THIS WORLD, BUT DEATH IS NOT THE TRUE END.

The things of the world will perish with the world. You came with nothing into this world and when you die you will take nothing out. But if you decide unchangeably to pitch your tent with Christ today and forsake the world, then there is an inheritance that cannot be corrupted or fade, which will be yours on the last day. The choice is yours: either to love the world or to love the Lord – Psalms 125:1-2, Proverbs 10:25, John 4:14, 6:58, 10:27 -30, I Peter 1:3-5.