[The message... some of you may have to ‘shelve’... until the Lord gives you further understanding /confirmation - 2 Tim. 2:7; Acts 17:11]

Jesus did not come to ‘change’ the world; He came to save us from it.

So why do we think it’s our mission to go out and try to change it?

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world- the lusts of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life- is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 2:15-17) ....'and the world...is passing away...'

“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.” (Rom. 12:2)

“Seek first, the kingdom of God...(and HIS righteousness” Matt. 6:33)...and by the way - “My kingdom is not of this world.” – Jesus (John 18:36)

“IF then...you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Col. 3:1-2)

If we are not careful, we as a professing believer/follower of Jesus can be easily sucked or drawn in to any number of ‘affairs of this world’

Paul wrote to Timothy: “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, so that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.” (2 Tim. 2:4)

Show me any place in the NT, the gospels or any of the epistles, where we are instructed to go become actively involved with the ‘affairs of this life/world’.

Peter opens up his first epistle, admonishing us to ‘be holy as He is holy....in ALL our conduct’ (1 Pet. 1:14-16). He continues on: “If you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear...” (17) i.e. – we are ‘sojourners and pilgrims...just passing through’ (1 Pet. 2:11; 1 Chron. 29:15)

So why this reminder today? Or maybe I should refer to it as a ‘warning’...?

We are cautioned about how in the ‘last days’, there would be a ‘falling away’ (apostasy) ...from the faith. (2 Thess. 2:3; Heb.13:9; Eph. 4:14;1 Tim. 4:1). It does happen....John 6:66.

We read in Rev. 12:15 how the ‘serpent spewed water out of his mouth like a ‘flood’ after the woman, that he might cause her to be ‘carried away by the flood’. And ‘the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, (those) who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (17)

If we learn nothing else from Matt. 7:22 and 1 Cor. 13:1-3...it is the fact that ‘professing believers’ can easily get caught up in ‘doing wonderful works in the name of the Lord’...and totally miss out on what God is doing, or wanting to do... in their lives. And it “profits you nothing”... “depart from me you who continue to practice lawlessness (sin)”

These would be the same people Paul warns of when ‘perilous times will come in the last days...(carnal behavior) while ‘having a form of godliness but denying the power’...’always learning but never coming to the knowledge of the truth’ (2 Tim. 3:1-7)

Yes, we are to ‘pray for those in authority/leaders’, etc.- "I urge then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." (1 Tim. 2:1-2)

Look how we are instructed to live in this world...’submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake...kings...governors...for this is the will of God that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men...Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.” (1 Pet. 2:13-17). [ I don’t think I read there where we are to just ‘honor the kings’...that we agree with and like’]. And ‘honor’ has more to do with attitude, so don’t read more into that to think I’m suggesting we 'align ourselves' with any king... other than King Jesus.

So how are we ‘carried away by the flood’? Have you ever seen those newsreels where some torrential river is flooding out of its bank, washing away roads and trees and cars and bridges...and people are lined up taking videos with their phones...and get too close, and before you know it, the banks of the river are collapsing?

Ask yourself this: “How easy are you drawn in to all the political drama and world events that are taking place around the world, or even in our own country these days? Do you find yourself needing to ‘share’ links and stories and articles so you can ‘make a case’ to support one POV over another, as if you’re engaged with some fierce chess game or tennis match...always wanting to ‘one up’ your opponent...as if any of this that is happening around us matters...in the grander scheme of things? i.e. God’s eternal kingdom?

I’ve mentioned a time or two something about how ‘fruit matters’, when it comes to tangible evidence for anyone claiming to follow and abide in Jesus? Do you know what is one of the quickest ways to shut down fruit production in your life is? Take a look at Mark 4 where we read the Parable of the Sower. Jesus talked about some seed falling among the thorns and when it began to spring up, it was ‘choked’ by the thorns and yielded no crop. Not bearing good fruit... is not a good thing (Matt. 3:10; 7:18-21; Luke 13:6-9; John 15:6-9).

And when asked what that parable meant, Jesus explained how the ‘seed is the word of God’...and the ‘thorns’ represented the ’cares of this world’ (along with the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things.”) (Mark 4:7,18-19)

I will have more to say on this tomorrow...if you care to join me.