The Elusive Sin

[Meditation Moment]

Meditation Moment #92
Jun-15-2002
http://www.bbc-cortland.org/medmoment/

Meditation Moment # 92
June 15, 2002

The Elusive Sin

There is a sin the name of which is seldom used among Christians any more. It is a sin that is as slippery as frog eggs. As soon as it seems to be in hand it oozes away. Not only is it slippery, it is tricky. One of its favorite ruses is to masquerade as a message of light. That elusive sin was once known as "worldliness."

The word, "worldliness," rises from Titus 2:12, where we read, that the grace of God teaches us that "denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world." The word "worldly" identifies something as having its origin and significance in the cosmos. It can range from a motive to a material thing. To this major passage of Scripture may be added such texts as First John 2:15-16, where we are admonished, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust thereof, but he who does the will of God abides forever."

There is no doubt that the Scripture identifies a sin of worldliness. There is no doubt that Scripture considers it to be a major issue. So, why do we hear so little about it?  Why does it seem so elusive? How can it possibly be mistaken for a message of light? All three questions have the same answer. It has to do with the phrase, "this present world," in Titus 2:12. That phrase can be rendered, "the now age." It speaks specifically of the philosophical base which governs the thinking of man and focuses on the importance of enjoying the present rather than preparing for the future. It is also found in Second Timothy 4:10, where a man named Demas forsook Paul because of a preference for "the now age." Perhaps, it would be helpful if we renamed "worldliness" as "now-ageism." It is that worldview that alleges that what is current, what is popular, what is "in," should be given our best attention.

Once we understand this we can understand why we hear so little about now-ageism (worldliness). Any effort to examine and contradict a current fashion involves the appearance of going the wrong way on a one-way street. After all, no one wants to be out of step let alone to be heading in the wrong direction. 

Getting a grip on the factor of now-ageism also helps us realize why it is such an elusive thing with which to deal. There are so many variables. What was considered "worldly" in another era because it was associated with a philosophy or fad may not have that association today. We see this in the way a musical instrument can be shunned in one generation and used without a second thought in another generation. Because of that we tend to think of "worldliness" as a relative matter and, if it is relative it is, basically, irrelevant. Also, worldliness can be present in seemingly contradictory venues. Thus, in the sixties, both the drop-outs and the people of the establishment were in the grips of materialistic worldliness. For the establishment, materialism was the sign of success. For the drop-outs, their opposition to materialism was the sign of their moral superiority. Both were materialistic in their focus and both were "now-ageistic." And, of course, what makes now-ageism especially elusive is our fondness for closing our eyes to clear distinctions because we have trouble drawing lines. Thus, the fellow with long hair argues his right by asking, "How long is too long?" For want of a line somewhere around the neck one dares not challenge hair down to the hips. In the whole transaction, no one thinks to identify and to deal with the real issue of now-ageism. 

The fact that now-ageism has become an accepted philosophy in the professing church shows how crafty the sin can be. Long gone are serious promotions of convictions against the priorities of the world and in favor of higher priorities. Instead we content ourselves that we are not worldly because we are against abortion and child abuse. At this point I was going to list several things that we are against, but, honestly, none would come to mind that is not an issue of contention in the church. I could not list pornography. Looking at "Christian" CD promotions and watching youngsters come out of "Christian" homes makes hypocrites out of our so-called opposition to printed filth. There is among "Christians" a devotedness to styles that are deliberately sensual and provocative. Because something does not "show all" does not free it from the onus of lust appeal. Pornography and sensual dress are part of the same house. 

Other things cannot be listed either. I cannot mention divorce since it is an accepted part of the "Christian" lifestyle. I cannot put ethics on the list since our mailboxes are regularly filled with unethical fund-raising letters from Christian organizations, and our court dockets regularly include Christians taking each other to court in order to weasel out of promises to which they pledged their word. There is no question that the twenty-first century  "church" is wholly given over to now-ageism. But, worse than the fact that I cannot make a significant list of now-ageisms is the fact that the now age is being touted as the key to successful evangelism and church building. The name of the game is to find out what the world (community) wants and then tell them that Jesus is into that kind of thing. This is ludicrous but we do not see it as such. Instead, we see it as an evangelical sophistication that puts us a notch or two above our forefathers who thought that there were actually some things in the now age of their generation that qualified as inappropriate. The admonition of Second Corinthians 6:17 to "come out" and "be separate" has no meaning to today's now-ageistic "Christianity."

Having said all of that, it needs to be carefully understood that now-ageism is not primarily a list of "things." "Worldliness" is not resolved by going back to the styles of another century. The now age is always the now age no matter what the epoch in man's chronicles. Now-ageism is a spirit that puts a false sense of importance on the things, styles and philosophies of each generation. At its core now-ageism cares nothing for such constants as modesty, respectability, accountability, self control or eternal values. Now-ageism is devoted to doing it all and doing it "my way" or, more accurately,  doing it the way of the group into which I want to blend at this particular point in history. Now-ageism lives for what the present age considers of value. Now-ageism relishes pitting itself against any who try to call to a higher standard of thinking and conduct. And, now-ageism is death on horseback. The words of First John are ominous – "If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." The text does not say, "If any man love the world he is less of a Christian than he could be." It certainly does not say, "If any man love the world he stands in a better position to win souls." It says, "If any man love the world, THE LOVE OF THE FATHER IS NOT IN HIM."

May I challenge you, please, to consider how much of a foot-hold now-ageism has in your soul. May I have the privilege of interacting with you on these things.

Pastor Comings


Pastor Comings
pastor@bbc-cortland.org