"For 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 " Ph. 3:18-19

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For 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. And the world passes away, and the lust thereof, but he who does the will of God abides forever" I John 2:15-17

Old time preachers used to orate fiery sermons warning the congregants about the dangers of worldliness. I am sure they would have quoted the passages above in their admonitions. I grew up in the Mennonite Church, where often these words were interpreted in a very legalistic way. The way one dresses, the cars one drives, not dancing or playing with cards, etc were commonly understood as ways to avoid worldliness. If it were only that simple, my friends. It is not. A fight against the world must begin with the heart. What clothes you wear, or what games you play are all external things. 

"Love not" begins not with a set of rules, but with a heart that no longer values anything this world offers. Why? Well, John said it best: These things are passing away. I think it was Jim Elliot, who was martyred preaching the gospel to the Auca Indians, who said, "He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose". If the eyes of our hearts are upon that Eternal City of God, well, as the song says, "The things of Earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His Glory and grace". Loving the Kingdom that is coming makes a whole lot more sense than loving the world, which is passing away. 

How then to pass the test: Are we lovers of the world, of loves of Christ? September 11, 2001 the whole world watched as 19 misguided young men flew planes into the WTC and the Pentagon, and crashed another one meant for the White House in a field in PA. This was quite a revelation for me. Indeed, here is evidence that indeed, as John says, this world is passing away - and I found my soul very much in distress over its loss. Ouch. Moravian missionaries used to sing, "Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also, the body they may kill, God's truth abideth still, His Kingdom is forever", but that song was not on my heart when it looked very much like Babylon was falling. No, 911 was very painful for me. But it was also helpful. I simply did not realize how much in love with the world I was until I saw it slipping away. Since then, I believe God has graciously led me away from the City of Destruction mentioned by John Bunyan. Where my heart is now, I do not say for sure, but I'd like to think I'd not miss this world at all should He call me home tomorrow. 

How then shall we live, saints? We look to Jesus Christ, who is the "author and perfecter of our faith". Our prayer life will be directed towards Heaven, not Earth. We pray not for resolution of whatever cross is before us, but that we understand that all our affliction is only temporary, and that it is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory. Paul writes that any suffering we might walk in here on earth is not worthy of comparison with the glory that is to be revealed in us. We ask only that God be glorified in and through all things. When we fall we call on His Name, and he is very much there for us. He cleans us up and sets us on our way. His intention is not to hear "Lord, Ill do better next time but "Lord help me to trust you more". 

This world is indeed passing away. We know this. But we must be honest. Where are our hearts today? Are we placing our happiness in the future, when situations that are unpleasant are resolved? Or do we, like Our LORD, pray, "Not my will but thine?" Are we complainers, or do we rejoice in our sufferings". Is it not essential to know where we are at? Would anyone want to leave this world, as we all must, looking back like Lot's wife? I'd hope that doesn't describe any of us here today. Would it not be better to be singing and rejoicing that our Eternal Reward is at hand?

Let us pray. Father, we really want to be honest in our prayers. If our hearts are not fully after you, show that to us, and lead us towards repentance. May indeed all the things of this world grow strongly dimmer and dimmer and our hearts long more and more for your coming. Be merciful to us, Lord, for so often our hearts have NOT been after you. Amen.