Many Christians are confused about how they should think about and involve themselves with the world in which they live. Much has been written in the Scriptures about 'the world' and what a believers attitude should be toward it.

THE SCRIPTURES AND THE WORLD

1) We know we have profited from the Word when our eyes are opened to the true character of the world.

When the Bible speaks of the 'world' it is referring to "the fallen human nature acting itself out in the human family, fashioning the framework of human society in accord with its own tendencies. It is the organized kingdom of the 'carnal mind' which is 'enmity against God' and which is 'not subject to the law of God (Rom. 8:7)" (82). The Scriptures also teach that the world remains in wickedness (1 John 5:19) because the majority of people choose to remain in this state and refuse to repent of their sins and surrender to Christ as Lord.

2) We know we have profited from the Word when we learn that the world is to be resisted and overcome.

Believers are in a war and they are called to "fight the good fight of faith" (1 Tim. 6:12). Just as we are on the side of the Holy Trinity-the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit-so also are we to battle against an evil trinity-the flesh, the world, and the Devil. The difference between this battle and others is that we as believers are guaranteed victory because we belong to the one living and true God whose power is infinitely greater than all other created beings. Christians are promised in 1 John 5:4 that “Everyone born of God overcomes the world."

3) We know we have profited from the Word when we learn that Christ died to deliver us from this world.

Paul tells believers in Galatians 1:4, "(Christ) gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father." According to A.W. Pink, "The Son of God came here, not only to 'fulfill' the requirements of the law (Mt. 5:17), to 'destroy the works of the devil' (1 Jn. 3:8), to deliver us 'from the wrath to come' (1 Thess. 1:10), to save us from our sins (Mt. 1:21), but also to free us from the bondage of this world, to deliver the soul from its enthralling influence" (84).

4) We know we have profited from the Word when our hearts are weaned from the world.

Believers cannot expect to grow as Christians while straddling the fence between worldliness and godliness. John asserted, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 Jn. 2:15). Pink affirmed, “(As) attractive and appealing as its varied objects may be, all the pursuits and pleasures of the world are designed and adapted to promote the happiness of this life only—therefore, ‘What shall it profit a man if he should gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?’ The Christian is taught by the Spirit, and through His presenting of Christ to the soul his thoughts are diverted from the world” (86). May our attitude be like that of Paul who said, “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ” (Phil. 3:8).

5) We know we have profited from the Word when we walk in separation from the world.

We cannot expect to live a god-honoring life and associate with and condone the words and actions of unregenerate people. James said, “Don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God (James 4:4)

6) We know we have profited from the Word when the world hates our beliefs and practices.

It is very difficult if not impossible for a faithful follower of Christ to not evoke hatred from some. If Christ was despised for what he said and did, we should not expect to be exempt from that kind of disapproval Jesus said, ‘If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. (Jn. 15:18-19).

Pink, A.W. Profiting from the Word. Carlisle, Pennsylvania: The Banner of Truth Trust. 1977. 81-89.

"Quote" of the Week

"Not a little is written to the Christian in the New Testament about 'the world' and his attitude towards it. Its real nature is plainly defined, and the believer is solemnly warned against it. God's holy Word is a light from heaven, shining here 'in a dark place' (2 Pet. 1:19). Its Divine rays exhibit things in their true colors, penetrating and exposing the false veneer and glamour by which many objects are cloaked. That world upon which so much labor is bestowed and money spent, and which is so highly extolled and admired by its blinded dupes, is declared to be 'the enemy of God'; therefore are His children forbidden to be 'conformed' to it and to have their affections set upon it." -A.W. Pink

If one were to ask why it is important to read the Bible, a simple but accurate response would be that it teaches us who God is, what He does, and what He requires of us. Although the first two responses are essential, without the last, a person is left without purpose and guidance. According to A.W. Pink, "God has given us His Word not only with the design of instructing us, but for the purpose of directing us: to make known what He requires us to do" (71).

THE SCRIPTURES AND OBEDIENCE

1) We know we have profited from the Word when we discover God's demands He has placed upon His people.

The greatest command that God ever gave us is found in Deuteronomy 6:5. Moses wrote that we are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and might. This is the key to a god-honoring life.

2) We know we have profited from the Word when we realized how short we have fallen from meeting God's commands.

The problem with the Pharisees of Jesus' day was that they misunderstood the purpose of the law. They thought that by keeping it salvation was attained. The intent of the Law is to show that man is incapable of being made right with God apart from God's help. Pink affirms, "No man can see what a sinner he is, how infinitely short he has fallen of measuring up to God's standard, until he has a clear sight of the exalted demands of God upon him" (72).

3) We know we have profited from the Word when we are taught that God has fully provided for His people by meeting His own demands.

Although we have sinned against the one true God and have been separated from Him, God demonstrated His love for sinners by sending Christ to live the perfect life we could never live and die as our substitute and perfect sacrifice. Pink explains, "Christ has vicariously met every demand of God upon all who believe upon Him. (He) has (also) vicariously satisfied for His people the requirements of God's righteousness" (73).

4) We know we have profited from the Word when we not only see it as our duty to obey, but when there is a love in us for His commandments.

Psalm 1:1-2 says, "Blessed is the man...(whose) delight is in the law of the Lord." Pink asks, "Do I really value His 'commandments' as much as I do His promises? Ought I not to do so? Assuredly, for the one proceeds as truly from His love as does the other" (75).

5) We know we have profited from the Word when our hearts and wills are yielded to all God's commandments.

We cannot pick and choose the commands we delight in. Partial obedience is no obedience at all. According to Pink, "If we do not sincerely desire to please God in all things, then we do not truly wish to do so in anything" (76). The Psalmist said, "I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments"(Ps. 119:6).

Pink, A.W. Profiting from the Word. Carlisle, Pennsylvania: The Banner of Truth Trust. 1977. 69-79.

"Quote" of the Week

"God has given us His Word not only with the design of instructing us, but for the purpose of directing us: to make known what He requires us to do." -A.W. Pink

MISSION TRIP REPORT

Last Sunday, I reported to our church about our summer mission trip to Minneapolis. Below is a brief summary of our trip.

Ten people from our church went to Minneapolis, MN. for a summer mission trip. We worked with Antioch Community Church, which is a church that was started in October of last year. We were the first mission team to work with this church. We prayer walked and canvassed the area of East Minneapolis letting people know about the church. We also helped build relationships with the people in their community by doing yard work and handing out cold drinks to passersby on a hot afternoon. Many had opportunities to share Christ and many citizens of Minneapolis expressed an interest in learning more about the church. It was a great trip!

When we speak of good works in reference to the Christian faith, there are two extremes to avoid. The first is legalism. Legalism is an over emphasis on the laws and codes of conduct in Scripture. Many with this mindset have concluded that a persons actions makes one right with God.

The opposite extreme is licentiousness, which is a deemphasis on the laws and codes of conduct found in Scripture. A person with this mindset might conclude that because salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone, one has been given license to live as they choose even if it results in immoral and lawless behavior. Only through the study of God's word and enabling of the Holy Spirit can believers uphold the proper balance.

THE SCRIPTURES AND GOOD WORKS

1) We know we have profited from the Word when we are taught the true place of good works.

When we speak of being saved by grace through faith in Christ, we must be careful that we do not undervalue the importance of growing in godliness. There is an inseparable connection between our justification and our sanctification. According to A.W. Pink, "The same Gospel that declares salvation to be freely by the grace of God through faith...also assures us, that without holiness no man shall see God. The grace that brings salvation to all men, teaches those who receive it, that (they should) deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, (and) should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world" (61). The Apostle Paul asserted,

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life (Romans 6:1-4)

2) We know we have profited from the Word when we understand the necessity of good works.

Even though good works are not the source of our salvation, they are, however, the fruit from our salvation. We are not to wait on godliness, but to pursue it. Paul told believers to discipline themselves for the purpose of godliness (1 Tim. 4:7). According to Pink, "If there has been no real communion with (God) in time there will be none with Him in eternity...If then he did not hate sin and love holiness before death, he certainly will not do so afterwards" (62). James simply says, "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead" (James 2:17).

3) We know we have profited from the Word when we are taught the design of good works.

The reason for good works in the lives of believers is for unbelievers to see them. Jesus asserted, "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven" (Mt. 5:16). If a major criticism of western Christianity is hypocrisy (which it is), then it should make sense to us that people should see (rather than hear boasting about) the goodness of God's people.

4) We know we have profited from the Word when we identify the true source of good works.

Unbelievers are capable of performing honorable deeds in a natural and civil sense, but never in a spiritual sense. Without a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, unbelievers are incapable of living a life that is pleasing to God. God's word is clear that there is no one who does good (Ps. 14:1-3; 53:1-3; Rom. 3:10-12). If one wishes to live a god-honoring life, they are in need of divine intervention because it is God who works in us 'both to will and to do of His good pleasure' (Phil. 2:13).

5) We know we have profited from the Word when we understand the importance of good works.

Good works are important because they bring glory to God (Mt. 5:16). Pink affirms, "Nothing brings more honor to Christ than (when) those who bear His name are found living constantly (by His enablement) in a Christ-like way and spirit" (66-67).

6) We know we have profited from the Word when we understand the true scope of good works.

According to Paul, a believer is to "walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God" (Col. 1:10). Unless a believer is growing in his/her relationship with Christ, becoming a more effective minister of the Gospel in his/her community, a better citizen in his/her country, and better husband/wife/father mother in his/her home, the study of the Scriptures is profiting him/her little or nothing.
Pink, A.W. Profiting from the Word. Carlisle, Pennsylvania: The Banner of Truth Trust. 1977. 57-67.

"Quote" of the Week

"The truth of God may well be likened to a narrow path skirted on either side by a dangerous and destructive precipice: in other words, it lies between two gulfs of error. The aptness of this figure may be seen in our proneness to sway from one extreme to another. Only the Holy Spirit's enabling can cause us to preserve the balance, failure to do which inevitably leads to a fall into error, for error is not so much the denial of truth as the perversion of truth, the pitting of one part of it against another." -A.W. Pink