God’s grace does not encourage licentiousness. We glory in the fact that we are saved by grace alone, apart from human works (Eph. 2:8-9). But God’s grace leads us away from the world culture in which we live to a life of godliness. One’s life proclaims his faith.
“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:11-13, nkjv)
Christians used to be warned about being worldly but the term is seldom heard today. The lifestyle of many professing Christians is little different from the world around them. Does this mean the world has gotten better? Hardly! It simply indicates that many Christians no longer have a tender conscience concerning sin. When this happens, Jesus said, one is like salt that has lost its savor and is utterly useless. It is thrown out on the path to be trodden underfoot. The world is quick to discern and to reject hypocrisy.
The first and great commandment of western civilization is: Thou shalt be tolerant. The second is like it: Thou shalt not judge another person. This is the end result of rejecting moral absolutes and a belief in objective truth for conduct. Our culture now accepts abortion on demand, sex outside of marriage, wholesale divorce, and sexual perversion such as homosexuality and bestiality. To raise an objection is to be “unchristian,” intolerant, bigoted and mean spirited. A tolerant spirit is a cardinal virtue. And it is easy for Christians to slip into such a permissive attitude toward sin.
Israel was warned about the fearful, sexual immorality of the nations in the land they were to possess. “You shall therefore keep all My statutes and all My judgments, and perform them, that the land where I am bringing you to dwell may not vomit you out….And you shall be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine” (Lev. 20:22, 26). God wanted His people to be separated to Himself, rejecting the depraved culture around them. But one might object, “That’s Old Testament Law and was just for Israel.” But Paul also pleads with the Corinthian believers to practice separation from their evil world: “Come out from among them, and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you” (2 Cor. 6:17). God is still holy and He still desires His people to be a holy people.
Some believers in their reaction to the evil world around them have withdrawn physically into a commune type of existence. Paul emphasizes that scriptural separation does not mean going out of the world (1 Cor. 5:10). Believers need to maintain contact with unbelievers in order to function as salt and light in the world. But spiritually and morally believers must maintain godly standards and practices. Refuse to “be conformed to this world” (Rom. 12:2). “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom. 12:2 niv). For this to take place one will need to spend more time with the Word of God than with television.
What is the pattern of the world that Christians must resist? The mind-set of the world is materialistic. Material possessions are viewed as the measure of a man. Believers can be swept along with this thinking, chronically dissatisfied and wanting more. A new car, a bigger car, a larger home, a more luxurious vacation–these are viewed as essential to happiness. If necessary, one will work two jobs and sacrifice family and church time to achieve these goals. The treadmill of materialism leads to an exhausting lifestyle. Our Lord warned: “Beware of covetousness.” As a believer, learn to live frugally in order to give time and money to the things of God.
Pleasure, sensual pleasure! This is the good life to the world: expensive gourmet foods and well aged wine. Drinking used to be avoided by evangelical Christians but now more and more professing Christians also drink. Alcoholism is a fearful problem in much of the world, destroying families and the physical health of millions. Alcohol is one of the oldest drugs known to man and now there are many other illicit drugs promising the user new highs, destroying both mind and body. Must one have drugs to experience happiness? Is not the Lord enough to satisfy your heart?
Gambling is sweeping America, whether it be casinos, slot machines, or the lottery. Everybody is doing it. Many who would not frequent a casino see no harm in buying a lottery ticket. Besides, one might rationalize, “If I win, I’ll give the Lord a tithe!” The lure of instant riches causes many to waste money on a chance when that money is needed elsewhere. “Be content with such things as you have” (Heb. 13:5). Scripture is replete with warnings about greed (1 Tim. 6). The person who gambles is greedy for more, desiring gain without labor–and that is sin (see Eph. 4:28).
This sensual culture is obsessed with sex. Years ago movies would not even show a husband and wife together in bed. Today one is pressed to find a film without explicit sexual scenes. Marriage is not glorified as good and right but the need to gratify raw, sexual urges is emphasized. If you “love” one another, all is permitted. Normal, heterosexual acts are not only depicted but sexual perversion. It is amazing how moral standards have been degraded. That which God created for good and has sanctified in marriage for the happiness of mankind and procreation (Heb. 13:4) has become a twisted, selfish, animal act. The Christian community must guard itself from becoming desensitized to sin by novels, TV and movies which feed fleshly lusts. Television is perhaps the world’s most effective molder of thought and desires. Christian, guard the input of movies, television, and radio into your home and life or it will kill your spiritual desires. The beauty and happiness of marriage need to be modeled by the Christian community.
What is the antidote for worldliness–a love for the world? It is love for God and for the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus said that the first and great commandment is : “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Mt. 22:37). Love for God is a choice, and will come as one reads and meditates on God’s Word and spends time in prayer. In this way one will grow to appreciate the greatness of God and His love and grace as revealed in Christ. Love for God will drive out a love for the world. “If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 Jn. 2:15).
The Christian community needs to be in the world, rubbing shoulders with the unsaved, fervently witnessing to them. But to be effective, like salt, it must be distinctively separate in its lifestyle, a holy people for the Lord. It must model its conduct by the standards of God’s Word. It must speak out against sin with the boldness of John the Baptist. It must teach and discipline its own members so they maintain a holy lifestyle. It must not withdraw from the world but be a loving, fervent witness in a corrupt and perverse generation. By the power of the Holy Spirit, the Church can be such a witness.