We’d been wet before, and we both knew we’d be wet again, so it was uncomfortable at worst.”
–Lou Bradshaw (True Blue)
“I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread.”
–Psalm 37:25 (NKJV)
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How to Live in a Pagan, Apostate, and Foolish World
Key Verse: “We know that we are children of God and that all the rest of the world around us is under Satan’s power and control.” –1 John 5:19 (TLB)
I want us to begin by looking at some questions. Perhaps they have crossed your mind before, but let’s consider the following:
1) Have troubles changed today or are they the same as in the past?
2) Have troubles seemingly multiplied or are they probably the same as in the past?
3) Do we talk about the problems of the world or do we talk about the disease itself?
4) Is there a joy that cannot be defeated and can triumph over any condition?
One thing that I think that is wrongfully taught is that the world is going to get better and be put right. This does not go along with Scripture, especially in light of what Scripture tells us concerning the Tribulation. We are not to convert the world, that is not part of the Great Commission. Karlbach said, “It is not the business of the Church to try to discover world unity and order but to witness to the finished work of Christ.” Globalism is a subtle evil and not all religions serve the same God just in different methods. NO! It is only through the finished work of Christ that a person can have eternal life.
What the aim should be is the individual. The world cannot be made right, but the individual can come to know Christ and live in an evil world. “It [New Testament] does not tell them how the world can be put right, but it does tell them how they can be put right in spite of that world, and how they can triumph in and over it, and have that joy in spite of it.” (D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones) The world is under the control of the devil, however, the believer can and should live with joy and have an overcoming life.
It is time for the Church to declare and not compromise or be complacent. It is not time to join forces with the world, to be namby-pamby in our beliefs, but to boldly declare, “thus saith the Lord!” The Church must be separate from the world, for that is one of its purposes, to draw out of its sway and influence. Why would a person become a believer if they were to remain the same?
We should live in joy and it should remain full. We have eternal life, that in itself should make us able to face the world and walk in joy. “Life outside God is not life, it is existence.” (Lloyd-Jones) People are fooling themselves (foolish world) thinking that there is no life after death or thinking that they can be good enough to make it to heaven.
“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.”
–John 17:3-4 (NKJV)
Life apart from God is really death. Man is born in trespasses and sin and thus is doomed unless he finds redemption in Jesus Christ. One thing to ponder and understand–eternal life is not only duration, but also quality. Wow! Think of the wonders of eternal life!
As a believer we should be certain of what we have–there is a definite and certain experience. Assurance may not be essential to salvation, but it is essential to the joy of salvation. Think of David’s prayer of repentance, “restore to me the joy of Your salvation” (Psalm 51:12, NKJV). He wasn’t questioning his salvation, but he wanted the joy to be there as well.
Understand this: salvation is based upon objective truth, it is based upon the same truth. Do not listen to those who proclaim a “new truth” or a “progressive gospel.”
“Test all things; hold fast what is good.” –1 Thessalonians 5:21 (NKJV)
“For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” –2 Timothy 1:12 (NKJV)
“I know not what of good or ill
May be reserved for me,
Of weary ways or golden days,
Before His face I see.
But ‘I know whom I have believed,
and am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.'”
–Maj. D. W. Whittle