Holiness, Worldliness, and being "Set-Apart" in the Christian Life

I want to provide a helpful resource to understand what it authentically means to be a Christian. Below are provided notes that I received from Willingdon School of the Bible, and I pray that you may find it enlightening and edifying in your understanding of Scripture.

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When God calls us to be 'set apart,' and to avoid 'worldliness (James 4:4, 1 John 2:15) in our efforts to be Holy, this does not mean that we cannot enjoy God's many common graces to all of mankind. On the contrary, we are to glorify God by enjoying His gracious gifts in such areas as the arts, sports, and food.

In other words, our holiness is not seen in monasticism and physical separation from any activities that non-Christians are involved in. So, what does it mean to enjoy God's bountiful provisions while maintaining a "set apart" and Holy life? How can we do both?

Worldliness in Scripture is the sin of allowing our attitudes, ambitions, focus, and desires to be shaped by "the system of rebellion and pride that seeks to displace God and His rule. It is this system rather than the created order itself which is "not from the Father" (1 John 2:15), and which has already been marked for judgment and destruction (John 12:31)." [1]

"The world" does not refer to the physical earth, creation or the universe (or God-given common graces to all his creation), but rather to the spiritual reality of man-centered, Satan-directed system of this present age, which is hostile to God and God's people. It refers to the self-centered, godless value system and mores of fallen mankind. The goal of "the world" is self-glory, self-fulfillment, self-indulgence, self-satisfaction, and every other form of self-serving, all of which amounts to hostility toward God." [2]

Thus, we as Christians must beware of allowing "worldliness" to creep in; we must also be aware of defining it properly. Again, it is not "worldly" or "sinful" to enjoy the common graces of God such as Art, Music, Drama, Literature,etc...even though they are not performed or created by Christians. It is worldly and sinful to allow ourselves to be influenced by anything (Art, TV, Moves, Literature, and Music) that carries a message that is antagonistic to Christ and our Faith. Such messages and philosophies are the "enemy of God" (James 4:4). We must forever guard ourselves against them in our continuous battle to remain "set apart" and Holy as our Father in Heaven is Holy.

There have been periods in history, particularly during the monastic age of the 4th century and the middle ages, when men and women sought holiness in isolation and radical self-denial. Some of this self-immolation was quite dramatic and included practices like the wearing of "hair shirts", self-flagellation, excessive fasting, and so on. Sadly, as Martin Luther pointed out so articulately , these practices had just the opposite effect to the one intended. It was, in the end, a glorification of the flesh and an attempt to establish righteousness by human effort. As such, it was an abomination to God, an affront to the cross of Christ, and typically ended in the most abhorrent of depravities.

When Jesus says, "Be perfect because your Father in heaven is perfect" (Matt 5:48) He is saying the same thing as, Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me" (John 15:4). There is not such thing as pleasing except by faith in Christ according to Scripture. Every effort to do so is an affront to God, and an attempt to prove God a liar and myself independent of His salvation.

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REFERENCE

[1] Reformation Study Bible Notes on 1 John 2:15

[2] John MacArthur, Commentary on James 4:4

Can God Command our Emotions?

There are many Scriptures which suggest that we are to have certain emotional responses to the Lord. But is it possible for our emotions to be commanded, even by God? Can we really control our emotions? Here is John Piper's response to this question.

"Jesus Commands the Emotions:

"I recall reading a book in college that argued: Love cannot be a feeling because it is commanded, and you can't command the feelings. In other words, love must simply be an act of the will or a deed of the body without involving the emotions or affections. But the problem with this argument is that the premise is false: Jesus does command the feelings. He demands that our emotions be one way and not another.
"He demands, for example, that we rejoice in certain circumstances (Matt 5:12), and that we fear the right person (Luke 12:5), and that we not feel shame over him (Luke 9:26), and that we forgive from the heart (Matt 18:35), and so on. If a feeling is proper to have, Jesus can demand it. The fact that I may be too corrupt to experience the emotions that I ought to have does not change my duty to have them. If Jesus commands it, I should have it. My moral inability to produce it does not remove my guilt; it reveals my corruption. It makes me desperate for a new heart - which Jesus came to give." [1]

 

REFERENCE

[1] John Piper. What Jesus Demands from the World. Crossway Books, Wheaton Illinois. 2006. pp 52-53

Think Hard, Stay Humble: The Life of the Mind and the Peril of Pride

Francis Chan delivered a message on 1 Corinthians 8:1-3 at the Desiring God National Conference in 2010. He's a the author of Crazy Love, Forgotten God, and Erasing Hell. I'm always inspired and deeply encouraged by his deep passion and love for Jesus. If you have an hour to spare, then take the time to listen.

Question: "How hard do you think about loving people?"

http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/conference-messages/think-hard-stay-humble-the-life-of-the-mind-and-the-peril-of-pride