| (Copyright 2023) by John W. Ritenbaugh (Lancaster, South Carolina) |
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 Having been born and reared in Pennsylvania, I have more than a passing knowledge of the Amish country of southeastern Pennsylvania. People similar to the Pennsylvania Amish live in communities in other states, too, like the Amish of Ohio, Indiana, West Virginia, and Kansas. The Amana people of Iowa are also religiously related. In addition, the Mennonites, the original Anabaptist group and somewhat more liberal than the Amish, have communities scattered across the nation and around the world. These non-conforming people are well-known for pursuing quaint and seemingly severe lifestyles; wearing dark, antiquated garb; running beautiful farms; avoiding electricity, tractors, and automobiles; and producing quality goods like high-end furniture. But why do they live as they do—within, yet isolated from, the larger community surrounding them? The answer largely stems from a sincere effort, in obedience to I John 2:15-17, to avoid the world’s spiritual contamination. John is not the only apostle who called on the children of God to do this. James urges us “to keep oneself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27). The apostle Paul makes a strong appeal in Romans 12:2, writing, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Though we disagree with the Amish method, we must admire their strong and enduring practice to combat an appealing but deceptive roadblock to growth. We wage this same battle in Christ as we prepare for His Kingdom. The World Is Anti-God We must realize that this world is not God’s world! Some have trouble grasping the practical ramifications of this concept, perhaps because many think of God as Creator, Owner, and Ruler and marvel at the staggering beauty of what He has made. In that sense, it is His world. Nonetheless, the systems that operate our cultures are not His. The Greek word translated “world” in I John 2:16, kosmos, has a moral connotation. It implies “the world apart from God.” In his commentary on this verse, theologian William Barclay writes, “To John the world was nothing other than a pagan society with its false values and its false gods” (p. 56). The world’s systems generate and sustain our government and politics, entertainment, fashion, religion, business ethics, medicine and health care, culinary tastes, social programs and institutions, education, science and technology, economics, and use of power. The world’s systems have formed much of humanity’s belief systems and attitudes, which, in turn, have shaped human conduct. These are the things God’s Word tells us to overcome. Yet this world and its systems are so appealing! But God in His wisdom advises us not to waste our love on them because they have no future! In fact, this world is so corrupt that other prophecies show the whole thing will be destroyed and replaced when God invokes the restitution of all things (cf. II Peter 3:10-11; Revelation 21:1). The basic reason all must be destroyed is because at its very foundation stands a destroying and antagonistic spirit, Satan the Devil, the ruler of this world (see John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; Ephesians 2:2). Henry David Thoreau grasped an important principle when he stated, “Every institution is but the lengthened shadow of one man.” As Jesus phrased it, “A corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit” (Matthew 7:18). Satan is a destroyer, and his way is at best a deadly mixture of good and evil. James confirms this when he asks this rhetorical question, “Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?” (James 3:11). “Come Out of Her” So strong is God’s warning about the world that He says through Paul in II Corinthians 6:14-18: Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” Therefore “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.” “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.” That is mighty strong language! Not one part of this system will be carried over into the world to come! The whole thing is unclean, something that contaminates and defiles, rendering unholy those who are touched by it (Haggai 2:10-14). Though it sounds contrary to common sense, the world is most dangerous to Christians when it is not persecuting them. It may seem friendly and tolerant, even producing apparently good things, but God says even then it is still unclean. The mixture of good and evil still produces a poisonous brew. In these matters, it is God’s judgment that counts. Have we considered this? Are we afraid of what it might cost us to “come out of her” (Revelation 18:4)? The price might be high in some areas of life, but it is so important that it is worth considering again. We must think about these ideas more intensely because, on the verge of the fall festivals, we will appear in God’s presence even more frequently. We would be wise to reevaluate ourselves again in the light of this vital fundamental principle and resolve to “come out” of a habit or practice of the world that we have—perhaps unwittingly, perhaps stubbornly—dragged into our relationship with God. —————————————————————————————————————- See John W. Ritenbaugh’s other articles at: Ritenbaugh, John W. – Church of God, Bismarck (church-of-god-bismarck.org) Reprinted with permission from: Church of the Great God https://www.cgg.org/ —————————————————————————————————————– |
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