To live in harmony with the world order instead of in harmony with the Creator is an evidence of man’s inherent folly. For man does not have to exist in the desolate darkness of this world; he may choose the light of God and his eternity.
The world order is without hope, because true hope rests solely in the finished work of Christ, of which the world knows nothing. The Apostle Paul reminded the Corinthian Christians, “Remember that you were at that time [before conversion] separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world” (Eph. 2:12).
The unregenerate world is spiritually blind and without wisdom. Oh yes, it may be filled with knowledge and with scientific achievement, but it lacks the wisdom that comes from God whereby knowledge is controlled and implemented for the glory of God.
The world system can provide for man’s physical life and surroundings but not for his death. Possessions may be acquired, material progress made, scientific know-how harnessed for comfortable living. Insurance may be taken out for accidents, hospitalization, fire, liability, and life—but not for anything beyond the grave.
The world system, being blind, stumbles over it knows not what. The only guidance it has is that which comes from the human mind and experience—good in its way but totally inadequate for the ultimate needs of mankind. What is necessary is guidance by the One who sees all the past, present, and future at once, the One who has promised to give direction to those who truly seek him.
Into this hopeless situation came God’s Son to bring the things man so desperately needs. The world system rejected him and continues to suffer as a result. But there were those who received him then, as there are those who do so today.
The Gospel is the good news that God has done through his Son the things that can lift us to a spiritual plane, unknown and unattainable to those who reject him. What are some of these things?
First of all, man is restored to a right relationship with God through God’s loving forgiveness of our sins for Christ’s sake. That which we could not do, Jesus did for us, so that God no longer sees our sins but sees the righteousness of his Son.
And with forgiveness there also comes cleansing. Sin is dirty, contaminating; it makes a stain on our lives that no detergent of human devising can take away. God speaks to us as he did to the people of Judah, “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool” (Isa. 1:18). Centuries later, John, also speaking through the Spirit, wrote, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Two verses earlier he names the divine detergent: “The blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”
Not only are we forgiven and cleansed but the filth and worthlessness of our lives is replaced by his presence. Jesus promises, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him; you know him, for he dwells with you, and will be in you” (John 14:15–17). The truth of God’s indwelling presence is one we Christians often stumble over, but it is a glorious reality to be appropriated and enjoyed.
Prevalent in the world system is the idea of self-improvement and self-reformation. Many of the activities of individuals as well as those of our lawmakers center in man’s attempt to change himself for the better. Our Lord told of an unclean spirit that left a man, only to return bringing with him “seven other spirits more evil than himself; … and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first” (Luke 11:24–26).
Man cannot change himself into a new creature. This accounts for our miserable failures, and also brings into clear focus the fact that it is through Christ that we are born again. This is a work of the same Holy Spirit who continues to live in those who believe.
But that is not all. Not only do we receive forgiveness, cleansing, and infilling, but because of our faith in him we receive strength for the daily grind. No matter how good our intentions, we need constant help. To his sleepy disciples Jesus said, “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matt. 26:41). The power God offers rests in the person and presence of the One he has sent. “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you” (Acts 1:8)—a promise not only for those disciples who were to go out into a hostile world but also for you and me, who live in a world order just as hostile because it is still dominated by Satan.
The world order is confused, with no recourse to spiritual guidance. Certainly this explains, in part, the predicament of men and nations. But the Christian has ever at his command divine guidance, not only in the emergencies of life but also in the more mundane things—the “little” everyday problems.
Because of what God has done for us and his promised help in every area of life, the Christian should so live that he demonstrates to all around him the difference between a God-centered and a world-centered life.
The believer waits for the Lord and renews his strength in him while the unbeliever rushes hither and yon in the futility of human endeavor.
The believer takes courage from God’s promise, “Fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand” (Isa. 41:10). The man without faith, however, is filled with the forebodings that stem from loneliness and helplessness.
For the Christian there is the blessed release of casting his anxieties on the One who cares for him (1 Peter 5:7), the assurance of every need supplied (Phil. 4:19), of a peace the world cannot give and cannot take away (John 14:27).
Living in this chaotic, turbulent world order, the Christian stands as living evidence of the saving and keeping power of the sovereign God.
The Apostle Paul has the word: “… be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life” (Phil. 2:15, 16).
What a challenge, and what a privilege!