Sometimes it
is difficult for me to write. Today is
one of those days but only because of what’s been on my mind the past few
months: how much Christians in prosperous developed countries, (in general) are
caught up in idolatry and worldliness, both of which are condemned by Elohim.
Do not love the world*, nor the things in the world.
If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him, because 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. 1Jh. 2:15 ,16
Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that the
friendship of the world is enmity with
God? Therefore whoever desires to be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Jm. 4:4
We know that we are of God, and all the world lies in
evil. … Little children, guard yourselves from idols. 1Jh. 5:19 ,21
…the works of the flesh are clearly revealled…
idolatry…
When we fail to give
God the highest devotion He deserves but rather replace that devotion with
pleasures, desires and material things of this earth, then we are guilty of
worldliness.
The greatest commandment (Mt.
22.36)
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with
all your soul,
and with all your strength, and
with all your mind…
Lk. 10:27
Father God, I come before you knowing that You see our sin
and how caught up we are in the world yet still neglect You. Forgive us oh Lord… forgive me for every time
I ignored you over insignificant things like watching tv. Forgive us as your children for making money,
possessions, power and status more important than You (idolatry). We constantly spend much effort on these
things but have no time for You. Oh
Lord, forgive us and have mercy on us.
Do not give up on us but use whatever means necessary to return us to
You, our first love. Forgive us for
failing to follow the one greatest command- to love You more than anyone or
anything.
But what is repentance** without change. We need to resolve to love You first and
foremost and to expend the most effort on You and not on the fleshly pleasure
of this world that entice us away from You.
We need Your help to do this Lord because we are weak and the temptations
are strong and frequent. Help us Lord,
we need Your strength, and remind us daily that we cannot be passive in this
fight. Thank You for Your abiding love.
*Thayer on meaning of ‘the world’
6) the ungodly multitude; the whole mass of men
alienated from God, and therefore hostile to the cause of Christ
7) world affairs, the aggregate of things earthly
the whole circle of earthly goods, endowments riches, advantages,
pleasures, etc, which although hollow and frail and fleeting, stir desire,
seduce from God and are obstacles to the cause of Christ
**The word basically means a
change of mind followed by a change in conduct.