World

The world, as spoken of throughout the Bible, can be described in several different ways.

1./ The physical earth – part of the universe created by God (Gen 1:1; Jn 1:10; Col 1:16; Rev 4:11). Due to the destructive power of sin its productivity has been adversely affected (Gen 3:17-19). Mankind was given the task of caring for the earth as a good steward (caretaker not owner), using but not abusing the resources entrusted to us by God (Gen 1:28; Ps 24:1, 50:10). There are various speculations about how long it took God to create the world; was it literally six 24-hour days or was it a different measurement of time; and how old is the world, with a time range from seven thousand to millions of years suggested. These and many other questions can’t be answered with certainty and are secondary issues to the main question – are we utilising the time and resources available to us to further God’s Kingdom?

2/. The human inhabitants. Through Adam and Eve’s sin humanity legally came under Satan’s control, and Satan offered to give the nations back to Jesus if He would worship him (Mt 4:8,9; Rom 5:18; 1 Jn 5:19). Jesus rejected that proposal and instead, in love, died to bring humans, God’s masterpiece of creation, back into right relationship with God. Thus He is the light of the world pointing the way to God (Jn 3:16-19, 9:5, 14:6).

The systems of this world and its values are completely opposite to God’s principles because of the disruptions of sin (Isa 55:8,9). As Christians, even though we live in the world, we should not subscribe to its philosophies. ‘The term, 'In the world but not of it’, is not a direct Bible quote however the concept is consistent with its teachings (Jn 15:19, 17:14-16; Rom 12:2; 1 Cor 5:9,10; Jas 1:27; 1 Jn 2:15). How can we relate to the unsaved in any meaningful way with the intention to bring them into the family of God if we don’t rub shoulders with them in the everyday events of normal life? We are to use different and highly effective weapons to demolish the evil spiritual strongholds that can invade our minds and lives, communities and nations, causing all manner of problems; these are to be subdued and brought into subjection to Christ (2 Cor 10:2-5). Eventually, Jesus said, the gospel would be preached to all people groups even though the devil, the “prince of this world” will continue to deceive people and the world will experience great trouble before the end (Mt 24:14; Lk 21:26; Jn 14:30; Rev 3:10, 12:9).

3/. The moral world involves the principles of right and wrong behaviour. Even people indifferent or hostile to God and His ways knowing instinctively in their hearts what is right and wrong although their consciences are dulled by continual suppression (Rom 1:18-32). God’s standards of how He expects us to live before Him and with others are written in the Bible, yet even as believers we constantly fall short of them because of our sinful natures. Fortunately our salvation is not dependent on our endeavours to keep the rules, but rather begins with, and must be maintained through, an inner heart change effected by a vital relationship with Christ.

Ungodly people cannot understand the things of God and this creates an unwelcoming environment of opposition and resistance towards Him and His followers. This world is full of corruption and stands as a symbol of corruption [the world, the flesh and the devil] (Jn 14:17,22-25, 16:8,9, 17:14-16; 2 Pet 1:4). It’s impossible to be ‘friendly’ with this evil

Do I respond to the world’s pressure or the Lord’s conviction?

world and love God at the same time. Although we are in the physical world we are not to live by its corrupt moral values (Jas 4:4; 1 Jn 2:15-17). In the world we will have trouble because of this conflict, but Jesus overcame the world; it is our task to remain in close fellowship with Jesus who rescues us from enslavement to it (Jn 16:33). By faith we can overcome the world’s attractions because the Holy Spirit (resident within us) is more powerful than the devil, who governs non-believers (1 Cor 3:16; Jas 1:27; 1 Jn 4:4, 5:4,5). As Christians we are to put to death whatever belongs to our worldly nature, denying its worldly passions, and keeping ourselves from being polluted (Col 3:5; Tit 2:12). The instruction given is not to love the world nor be conformed to its ways by falling into its godless wisdom (Rom 12:2; 1 Cor 3:18,19; 2 Tim 4:10; Jas 3:15. Paul expresses his indifference to the world by saying he “is crucified” as far as the world’s influence over him is concerned (Gal 6:14).

4/. The temporal world which passes away. Understanding this world is not permanent, we should be working for what will last for eternity – the souls of people and our own Godly character. As Jesus said, “What will it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his soul?” (Mt 16:26; 1 Cor 7:31). Satan offers us ‘the world’ by enticing us with materialism, power and fulfilling our sensual desires, however, his promises are short-lived. Worldly values change constantly as they are solely focused on our temporary earthly existence and gratification. This leads to spiritual death, as opposed to the eternally constant and everlasting values of God which result in eternal life (Jn 10:10; Rom 8:13; Gal 6:7,8).

5/. Our personal world. Our ‘world’ is specifically the area of personal influence – relatives, friends, acquaintances, workmates, neighbours and any others we relate to. As Jesus was sent into the world by God, so we are sent out into the wider world (our ‘Jerusalem’s, ‘Judea’s and ‘uttermost parts’) to be “salt and light” witnesses for Christ (Mt 5:13-16, 28:19,20; Mk 16:15; Jn 15:19, 17:15-18; Act 1:8; Eph 1:4; Phil 2:15).

6/. The world to come. When Jesus spoke of the end of the age He was referring to the present Christian period, or Age of Grace, when people are offered salvation; this will culminate with “This gospel being preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come”

While living in the present world we are to prepare for the world to come

(Mt 24:3ff). This end of the Church age is not to be confused with the end of the world when “Heaven and earth will pass away…The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare” (Mt 24:35; 2 Pet 3:10). “...the world to come” refers to eternity, the next life (Mk 10:30; Heb 6:5). For those who die as non-believers eternity will be spent in the lake of fire, lost forever, while for Christians it will be forever with the Lord in a righteous new world (Mt 25:46; Jn 3:15,16; 1 Thes 4:17; 2 Pet 3:13). The physical world as we know it will not last forever but after God’s great judgement He will create a new heaven and earth with these domains fully under His control forever (2 Pet 3:7-30; Rev 21:1-5).