Call From The World vs. Spirit

Scripture

Our focus verse for today comes from 1 John 2:16-17, “For all that is in the world – the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions – is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”

Background & Application

What is it in your life that keeps calling you back? Are you the type that gives in to the spur of the moment enticement, the one who goes along rather well, but then seems to encounter a quick succession of 180 degree turns from your original good intentions, and suddenly finds himself cluttered and encumbered with a bunch of junk, whether physical or emotional, that has pulled you away from the Lord? Or perhaps you are more inclined to the slow fade, where things so inherently good in nature, things like fellowship, entertainment, friends, hobbies, or providing for your family, fill up your time, your mind, and your calendar gradually and unintentionally, so much so that they squeeze God out of the way, and with that goes the joy of serving and worshipping Him. Neither picture is one that we aspire to.

No one of us wakes up each morning planning on taking God for granted, hoping to find our fulfillment in what the world can throw our way. The problem is that God and the world speak to us in two distinct ways. God tends to greet you with a heartbeat and air to breathe when you wake up. The world gives you 63 kinds of coffee to jumpstart you and a giant billboard with $170 million dollars on it for you to win. God brings the sun around for another day and starts the car when you turn the key. The world says your time is valuable, so make sure no one gets you off your agenda or needs too much from you. And both messages get heard by our hearts. We know the grace of God and the gain of this world. So how do we keep from answering the world’s call? We have to answer the call from the Spirit. We have to be renewed, revived, and fed each day. So pay attention. The overweight, unhealthy person doesn’t decide as a child to grow up to be obese, he simply pays no attention to what or how much he eats or drinks along the way. The things, every thing, of this world will pass away. Let’s live like we believe that.

Charge

As we seek Him today, take notice of what claims your time, attention and appetite. See God everywhere that He is, and see the world for what it really is. Desire the creator and not the creation.

Rich Holt / BCWorldview.org