In 1 John 2:15-17, when the apostle John warns us about the dangers of worldliness, he also provides three strong counsels against worldliness.
The first absolute counsel against worldliness is a command: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world” (v. 15a). No Christian should engage in any form of worldly activities. He should not even desire to be like the world. Oh, let us all stop loving the world! Jesus said about true Christians: “ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world” (John 15:19). If this is true, how can a Christian continue to love the world more than God?
Christians, we are just sojourners here on earth. We are not here forever. We are pilgrims heading to the glory land. So, do not get stuck in the miry clay of worldliness.
If you, my reader, have been abiding in worldliness, it means that you are heading towards a fiery end in hell. Please repent of your sins. Ask the Lord Jesus Christ to renew your heart by the mighty work of His Holy Spirit, so that you may love God with all your heart and love not the world that is perishing.
If you are a backslidden Christian, you must now yield to the Spirit who teaches you through His Word. Plead before His presence for a resurgent love for the things of God, yea, even for the things that matter for all eternity.
The second counsel against worldliness is a great declaration: “And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof” (v. 17a). A person whose character and personality are shaped by a life that is obedient to God, will not be affected by the passing away of the world and its vain desires.
Do not desire anything in this world more than the will of God permits. Our desire has to be always regulated by the Word of God. All the pursuits of the world must be subject to His will. Never pursue any of our desires beyond His will for us. Such exhortation is a Johannine way of saying, “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.”
The third counsel against worldliness is the wonderful reminder that there is eternal life for all who forsake worldliness to embrace the love and will of God – “he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (v. 17b).
God’s cure for worldliness lies in the bringing before us of another world – an eternal world – which is infinitely more glorious than that which He calls on us to forsake. There is no thorough cure for worldliness but this. It is a lack of faith in eternal realities that makes us worldlings! By faith, when our eyes are fixed on the world to come, we will learn to set our affections on things above.
Christians, we need to be sternly and repeatedly warned against the spirit of worldliness. People in the church are very prone to forget their role as pilgrims in this present evil world. Our dignity as God’s chosen people is not in craving after the things of this world, but in doing His will and thereby getting ready for His glorious appearance. Let us not allow the world to obscure or blur our vision of the glory and kingdom of God that He has called us to inherit. Dear Christians, let us live on earth as heavenly citizens.
Dear Pastor Koshy,
Greetings in the Name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
Praise God for His goodness in sustaining us in the work of the ministry. After over a month, the electricity was finally restored last Thursday, followed by the telephone / internet lines last Saturday. Thank God that everything is back to normal, insofar as utilities and basic services are concerned. We already have the PA system, lights and air-conditioning functioning during our worship service yesterday. Also, we have resumed our live streaming.
Last Saturday morning, I was able to visit the wake of Nanay Rebecca (Bro. Eric Delina’s mother), and got to meet some family members. Among them was Noel (Bro. Eric’s nephew), who had been to Singapore and had attended worship services there together with Eric.
Yesterday, after the worship service, we passed to Bro. Dave the sum for the estimated cost of materials for the repair of his house, which had been severely damaged during the severe typhoon. In any case, he told me that there could be some additional materials needed.
On the part of Bro. Oscar, he has not finalised the list and the costing yet, as the carpenter they contacted had made some changes concerning the wood size and the specification of the iron sheets that they will use.
Pastor, I want to thank you for the Bible Witness calendars. We received them last Friday. These came just in time, as the local calendars were also just made available “hot from the press” – and we were able to distribute them together yesterday. Praise God!
On a personal note, my mother was released from her quarantine this morning. We were able to spend time with her, together with my siblings and the children.
Thank you very much for all of your prayers and support.
Respectfully,
Rev. Reggor