Worldliness
What is worldliness? Modern religionists say
that it is worldly to dress according to the fashion of the times, to wear your
hair in a given way, to wear a beard, or to drink a glass of wine. Yet, our
Lord dressed according to the fashion of the common man in his day. He wore a
seamless robe and sandals, like all other men. Our Savior wore his hair much
longer than modern styles, and he wore a beard, according to the custom of his
day. Jesus of Nazareth drank wine with his disciples, and turned water into
wine at the marriage feast of
Men look upon the outward appearance. They
place great stock in a man's outward dress and conduct. By these things they
determine who are and who are not worldly, who are and who are
not the people of God. But God takes no stock in such things. Our Lord
made it plain. It is not what a man wears, eats, or drinks
that determines his relationship with God. Rather, it is his heart
attitude.
What is worldliness? It is the love of the world. Dear friends, be sure that you do not
love the world. "If any man love the world, the
love of the Father is not in him." Do not allow your hearts to become
fondly attached to this world, neither its people nor its pleasures, neither
its fame nor its fortunes, neither its success nor its security. "Love not
the world." It is perishing. Everything in it is marked for destruction.
But "Set your affection on things above", even Jesus Christ and the
riches of his glory and grace.
Don Fortner