Guarding Against Worldliness

Worldliness: The sinful tendency to conform to the world, to be contrasted with the biblical command to maintain contact with the world while avoiding becoming like the world. Believers are called to live in the world, while not being of the world. This attitude is supremely exemplified in the ministry of Jesus Christ.

Jesus loves sinners.

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.Romans 5:8

Jesus spent time with sinners to draw them to Himself.

And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.Mark 2:16-17

Jesus was not of this world.

Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.John 18:36

We are not of this world. We should be distinctly different.

If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.John 15:19

We are left to make an impact in this world.

I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.John 17:14-16

Sanctification is the process by which we grow in holiness and Christlikeness.

Sanctification: The process of renewal and consecration by which believers are made holy through the work of the Holy Spirit. Sanctification is the consequence of justification and is dependent upon a person being in a right relationship with God.

Sanctification and holiness are a result of the Spirit at work in our lives to mold us into Christ’s image, not a result of conforming to external rules.

Two Incorrect Views of Sanctification

Legalism: excessive emphasis on outward conformity as proof of holiness and righteousness.

For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.Galatians 5:6

Antinomianism (Hyper Grace): idea that we can live as we wish, as we are under grace, not the law. Repentance is not necessary as we live daily under the grace of God. A form of spiritual anarchy, which rejects the law as having any place in the Christian life, whether as instructor or as assessor.

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?Romans 6:1-2

A Healthy View of Sanctification

I have freedom in Jesus from the law and regulations, not to serve my flesh, but to serve Jesus and others.

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.Galatians 5:13

I need guiding principles in my life that shape my heart toward holiness.

I need guideposts that keep me from feeding my flesh and help me live out my biblical convictions.

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.Galatians 5:19-21

Unless explicitly found in Scripture, my guideposts are my personal views to help me be more like Jesus.

When we impose our extra-biblical guideposts on others, we’re not like Christ, but like the Pharisees.

The goal isn’t to follow rules, but to pursue Christ with a pure heart.