Destination of the World

2007-03-18

One of the most humbling things, as we often forget, is realizing how deep sin runs in us and in our world. For me, I often feel that the word “sin” has become quite cliché. But think for a moment beyond shallow definitions and visualize the most terrifying of things. This is not moral pollution I am talking about. When humankind first sinned the whole world was affected. The ground was cursed. Death came about. Pain entered into the human experience suddenly and their bodies began to age. The creation itself groans in its current condition. The world is alienated from God and now is the dominion of the prince of the power of the air. People, apart from Jesus Christ, are slaves of Satan, captive until they realize there is one rescuer. This world is not hell, but it is bound for eternal flames. The people without Christ may not be physically dead, but they are destined to eternal death where the worm does not die. The elements of the world will flee away, and one day the people of the world will know the wrath of God without hope.

In John 3:18, it says that those who do not believe are condemned already. God’s promise of this world’s destruction is as good as done. All of His promises are for certain. So when we cling to the affairs of this life, we are clinging to destruction. No physical object from this age will remain in eternity. Abstract things are also reserved for futility. Wealth, success, and power will all disappear except Jesus’ wealth, success, and power. His vision is the glory of the Father and the salvation of humankind. This also we must seek. Jude 1:23 says to save people with fear, “hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” A noble thing to remember: love the sinner, hate the sin, for this is what God does.

We forget again and again how exceedingly sinister this world is. In our own hearts, even having trusted Christ, we are still bent on sin, in need of His power to change us. But it is not just us. This world is swarming with demonic principalities and powers. Humankind, living in darkness, would rather live the status quo than walk in light, as John says. Only in the power of the Spirit can we walk in victory in this current life. We cannot forget that Jesus warns us to be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves for good reason.

In church this morning, it was put rather well. We fear the power of the Spirit and the infinite possibilities of glorifying God it can bring. We fear the unknown, and fear letting God have control over our lives. We fear that we may misrepresent the Lord or the Gospel, because we think we are preaching our message and not God’s. But I keep wondering what it would take for us to experience the message of the Gospel in the fashion that Jeremiah did (Jeremiah 20:9). For if I can keep quiet about Christ, there is something in my life that is askew. My understanding of the world, of sin, or of myself must be wrong somewhere. We need to be that salt in the world and that light on a lampstand. Because if we are not, who will be?

The beauty of the world is at best a faint vestige of what it was once at the dawn of history. Do not be deceived: it is exceedingly wicked. But God gave His Son to die for the world. He rescued us with the Gospel. He had to reach down and pull us out in Christ. Remember who you were without Christ. Remember the ends of the earth that have never heard the name Jesus. Remember the power of the Spirit in you that will enable you to live the life that points people toward God.