Don’t Be Worldly!
MEMORISE: 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
READ: 1 John 2:15-17 (KJV)
15 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.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalms 63-65
MESSAGE:
In today’s memory verse, Apostle Paul enjoins us not to love the world and warned that we cannot love God and the world at the same time. He urges further that we should not engage in the works of darkness as listed in Ephesians 5:4-5, and Ephesians 5:12
“Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient… For ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God…for it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.”
Why however, are there thieves in the congregations of Church today? Why are harlots in the Choir? Why are extra-marital affairs now commonplace among believers? The answer is simply: worldliness has become the order of the day! The ‘get-rich quick’ spirit is holding sway among believers who have forgotten Paul’s counsel to be content with what they have (1 Timothy 6:6-11). The ‘end justifies the means’ philosophy growing in the Church today is contrary to the word of God that says everyone shall give account for his or her actions (Romans 14:12).
Another reason for the growth of worldliness in the Church today is that the children of light have made our places of worship comfortable for evildoers. Many believers are now living lives of deadly compromise. Integrity is now considered ‘old school’.
How can we change this situation? The Bible says in Ephesians 5:7-8.
“Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:”
The Bible in Romans 13:12-14 also says:
“The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; …But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”
Henceforth, let us walk as children of light (Ephesians 5:8) and separate ourselves from every form of worldliness. May the second coming of the Lord not catch us unawares in Jesus’ name.
PRAYER POINT:
Father, please grant me the grace to be vigilant that the day of the Lord will not catch me unawares, in the mighty name of Jesus.
HYMN 12: In Christ Alone
1. In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my Light, my Strength, my Song
This Cornerstone, this Solid Ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
2. In Christ alone, Who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless Babe
This Gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live
3. There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
4. No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
‘Til He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand.
