How does today’s message of the Church or the conversations of Christians differ at all with the preoccupations of the world; the desire to obtain and maintain power, to amass and defend their possessions, or to protect their place and nation?
What does any of this have to do with following Jesus? What does any of this have to do with what He came to do: to redeem creation, to save us from separation with God, to bring us who were far off near to the Father, to love such that God would be known and glorified?
How do we not see what is so plain?
Are we not spotted with the world?
Repent! And, let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.
“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness”
— Matthew 6:31-33
“Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this:
to visit orphans and widows in their trouble,
and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.”
— James 1:27
“No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.”
— 2 Timothy 2:4
“[those] who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.”
— 1 Timothy 6:5
“For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?”
— 1 Peter 4:17
“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.
Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.
Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent.
Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.
You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.
He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
— Revelation 3:1-6
