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What is the world and worldliness?
KJV Dictionary Definition: WORLDLINESS, n. from world. A predominant passion for obtaining the good things of this life; covetousness; addictedness to gain and temporal enjoyments. WORLDLY, a. 1. Secular; temporal; pertaining to this world or life, in contradistinction to the life to come; as worldly pleasures; worldly affairs; worldly estate; worldly honor; worldly lusts. Titus 2. 2. Devoted to this life and its enjoyments; bent on gain; as a worldly man; a worldly mind. 3. Human; common; belonging to the world; as worldly actions; worldly maxims. WORLDLY, adv. With relation to this life. Subverting worldly strong and worldly-wise by simply meek. James 4:4 “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.†Tit. 2:11 “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,†The element of worldliness is fueled by adherence to the needs created by the 10th commandment: Exo. 20:17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.â€. If we read the chapter on faith warriors it is clear that their success was reflected by: Heb. 11:8 “By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; 10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11 By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. 12Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore. 13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.†Abraham stayed in a tent as if he was not planning to remain in this sin ravaged earth for long and his life reflected his ability to pursue a vertical relationship. In modern times we vote by time spend on certain things if we are more heavenly minded and one would hope that we are not so burdened by what this earth has to offer to like Lot’s wife to look back and yearn for what the temporal has to offer. Let us live our lives now as to ignore the temptation to be only successful in this life. We remain His ambassadors and should balance the important eternal with the less important temporal but remember: 1 Cor. 10:31 “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.†Even if we are on a sin ravaged planet we need to remember: Heb. 11:13 “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.â€