Lesson 265 - Senior
Memory Verse
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (I Corinthians 10:31).
Cross References
I Worldliness
1. The Word of God commands all not to love the world, neither the things in the world, [1JN:2:15]; [ROM:12:2]; [COL:3:1-2].
2. Men are commanded to love God, and to forsake earthly riches and gain, [1TM:6:6-12]; [HAG:1:6]; [PRO:23:5]; [PRO:27:24]; [ECC:2:18], [ECC:2:26]; [MAT:6:19]; [LUK:12:20-21].
3. The lusts of the flesh is of the world, [1JN:2:16]; [NUM:11:4], [NUM:11:34]; [PS:78:18], [PS:78:30]; [MAT:5:27-30]; [ROM:13:14]; [1CO:10:6-10]; [GAL:5:16]; [EPH:2:3]; [TIT:2:12-13]; [1PE:1:14]; [1PE:2:11]; [1PE:4:2-3]; [2PE:2:10]; [JUD:1:16-18].
4. The lust of the eyes is of the world, [GEN:3:6]; [GEN:13:10]; [JOS:7:21]; [PS:119:37]; [ECC:5:10-11]; [LUK:4:5].
5. The pride of life is of the world, [EST:1:3-7]; [PS:73:6-9]; [DAN:4:30]; [EZE:28:12-17]; [ACT:12:20-23]; [REV:3:17]; [REV:18:11-16].
II Worldly Amusements
1. The Christian is separated and distinct from those whose affections and desires are worldly, [ROM:12:2]; [TIT:2:6-12]; [JHN:15:19].
2. Christians are to please God and not men; and to live lives that help, not hinder, their brethren, [1CO:10:23-24],[1CO:10:31-33]; [1CO:14:26].
3. Carnal festivities are an abomination unto God, [EXO:32:6-7]; [1PE:4:3-4]; [GAL:5:21]; [ISA:1:14]; [DAN:5:1-5]; [LUK:15:13].
Notes
Love of the World
The words of the Holy Spirit, through the Apostle John, to "love not the world, neither the things that are in the world" are not just idle words. They were the inspired command of God to all men, everywhere, who entertained any hopes or desires of dwelling in eternal peace with Him. To love the world is to hate God! In the Epistle of James we read, "Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God" [JAM:4:4]). That man or woman who dares ignore such warnings does so at his own peril. There are many religions of the present day whose philosophy, precepts, and tenets permit and encourage fellowship and association with the world. Those religions are of the world. The lives, desires, affections, and the very being of those who accept them are part and parcel of the world, and cannot be separated from it. The Gospel of Jesus Christ gives no license for worldly associations and fellowship. The follower of Jesus Christ keeps the commands of his Master, and separates himself from the world.
When a soul harbours affection for the world, and the things it affords and promises, he cannot be a disciple of Jesus Christ. The Bible draws a picture of the world in its true colour; and declares in many ways, and in many places, that it is gaudy, sensual, devilish, and doomed to a soon and certain destruction. (Read [JAM:3:15]; [1JN:2:17]; [LUK:21:34]; [MAT:24:38].)
Many people think that if a majority of their neighbours indulge in some sinful passion or vice they are justified in doing likewise. Though all the world goes contrary to the will of God, there is not one single person who can justify his action in doing likewise. God is capable of bringing the whole human race to the bar of judgement for an accounting for sin, and He has promised man that He will do it in the proper time. To indulge in sin and be a partaker of worldly appetites will cause one to suffer the wrath of God for his wickedness.
The world has by a large majority rejected Christ and remained indifferent to His cause. These are the people who make up the world. Their actions, their thoughts, their deeds are a continual and constant digression from God, and the end of their lives is the opposite of holiness and righteousness. Their friendships, clubs, businesses, their every movement of life are toward the satisfying of themselves through sinful desires and pleasures. One must, then, either live a life that is pleasing to God, or be adjudged part of the world, whose end is everlasting damnation.
Not of the World
The Christian is in the world, but not of it. He does not hide himself away in a monastery, away from the vices and evils that are in the world; for men need to be told of the Gospel and the power of God to save men from sin. A Christian can work and live a life pleasing to God in the midst of a perverse and wicked generation, and be a testimony for God. There is no excuse for men to say they cannot live a Christian life at their work or in everyday life, because it is the testimony of God's people everywhere that they can and do live a victorious life. In the armed forces, in business, at home, anywhere and everywhere, God's people live for Him (See [DAN:1:8]; [HEB:11:24-26].)
"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth" [COL:3:1-2]). If our affection is on godly things, on the Kingdom of God, we can rest assured we are not of the world. Those in the world have their treasure in the world, and Jesus said that where a man's treasure is, there is his heart also [MAT:6:21]).
Lovers of Pleasure
One of the signs of the last days is that men shall be "lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God" [2TM:3:4]). The widespread seeking after pleasure, which is so universally accepted, has become one of the worst forms of worldliness and ungodliness. Without question, God wants His people to be happy and to have true pleasure. And within the pages of the Word of God is the proper place to find its source. "Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore" [PS:16:11]).
When a nation of people goes out, en masses, on the Lord's Day to become a nation pleasures seekers, without thought of God, but only to indulge in whatever thing with which they hope to satisfy their souls, that nation is rapidly becoming reprobate and worldly, to a serious degree. There is not a civilised nation today that has not indulged in eating, drinking, and making merry until it has become sin. Jesus said of such, "For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be" [MAT:24:38-39]).
The Bible further states of those who eat, drink, and are merry for no other purpose than to satiate some carnal desires: "Many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things" [PHL:3:18-19]). Gluttony is ranked with drunkenness by God, and is sin. (Read [PRO:23:21]; [ISA:56:12]; [LUK:12:19]; [1TM:5:6].)
Exercise unto Godliness
The Christian does not support by participation or association organised sports, dances, and theatres, because first of all the atmosphere and spirit of such things are directly opposed to the Spirit of Christ. Those who participate in or attend such are sinners, and the entire purpose of all such entertainment is to entertain the carnal heart, the heart of sin. The little good that can be found in them is more than undone by the great amount of evil with it. The modern movie has become the greatest perpetrator of criminal tendencies in children that the world has ever seen. The movie industry has exploited the evil tendencies of men's hearts toward sin, and has flooded civilisation with a tide of iniquity and evil. The screen has taught men to do evil, has applauded all manner of wickedness and derided that which is wholesome and good.
The invention of television has been hailed as one of the great steps forward in civilisation in recent years. Perhaps it would be if it were used for the good of mankind and the glory of God. It has already proved itself just as adept at the preaching of evil as the movie, and more so than the radio, because it combines the medium of the eye and the ear, which are the two greatest avenues of learning. For a Christian to look at and listen to the portrayal of crime and sin in every form imaginable, which comprises the majority of programs on television, is to condone that which they see and hear, and to be a part of it. The two greatest promoters of television are the liquor and the cigarette industry, which have helped to damn untold numbers of people into a lost eternity; and even to listen to their sales talk is enough to make one liable to like condemnation.
Parents should warn their children in connection with magazines and "comic" books, some of which have a definite influence upon them to think and do evil.
What is wrong about Christians' playing in organised sports? is a question often asked. Paul said to Timothy, a young minister: "Bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come" [1TM:4:8]). Organised sports of the present day are first of all, a mild form of the old Roman gladiator games when contestants fought to the death. Modern sports are based upon the principles of competition. To win is everything; and men are trained to great degrees of ability in some particular field that they might win against all. Nothing is more contrary to the Gospel of Christ than the spirit of strength and ability to win against all. (Read [ZEC:4:6]; [1SM:2:9].) The Christian seeks to excel in godly virtues, but desires to excel that he might glorify God, and does not seek to glorify himself.
The Christian is told by the Word of God, "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another" [ROM:12:10]). Such an attitude is not found in organised sports. A winner is exalted because of his own ability and powers. No thought or honour is given to God who made the body, and in whom we live, and move, and have our being. God denounces the exaltation of self as it is being satanically inspired. (See [PRO:25:27]; [MAT:23:12]; [GEN:3:5]; [ISA:14:14].) Christ died to save men from the wages of sin, and gave men power to overcome the power of evil and self.
Long ago, the public has been told of widespread bribery and crime within college sports. Young men by the scores have had their lives ruined by crime; many sentenced to jail because of deliberately losing games in order to win gambling bets. College sports have become so corrupt that many colleges and universities are seriously considering dropping all intercollegiate sports from their curriculum. Does a Christian belong in such things?
What one good thing can be said for boxing and wrestling? Men's lives are tossed away continually, losers in the bloody business of modern sports. God alone knows the extent of corruption to men's souls and morals that has been caused by public demand for boxing, wrestling, horse racing, and all the other so-called "clean sports."
There is much clean and wholesome recreation that a Christian can partake of that is beneficial to mind and health, such as boating, fishing, hunting, and swimming. The Gospel enables people to enjoy life and these various activities better, because it gives them inner peace and satisfaction. The Christian does not need to be involved in worldly deals and harmful recreation in order to be happy.
Questions
1. What is meant by worldliness?
2. How has radio, movies, and television done great harm by their programs?
3. What is the reason Christians do not participate in organised sports?
4. Suggest several forms of activity a Christian can have for healthful exercise and enjoyment.
5. Why is a Christian not to love the world, nor the things that are in the world?