The World is Incorrigible

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The Bible teaches that “the world” is unredeemable and that the Christian is not
to love “the world, neither the things that are in the world” (I John 2:15). Yet, as
John 3:16 declares, “For God so loved “the world.’” Clearly, this term “world” has
a range of meanings that may apply differently in various contexts. When
addressing God’s love for the world, the reference is to the human race itself.
However, in speaking against the world, the reference is to the material, fallen
creation in its alienation from God and its dominance by the evil forces of Satan as
seen in I John 5:19, where the whole world is described as lying in the Wicked
One.

The Apostle John uses the term “world” or “cosmos” frequently in his Gospel and
Epistles more than 100 times in total. Our word “cosmetic” comes from this Greek
term, which literally speaks of ornament, arrangement, or structure. Therefore, in
the Scriptural context it is often used to refer to the material world order set in
opposition to God and the spiritual realm. It is the world in this sense that is
incorrigible or unredeemable.

The conflict and irreconcilable nature of the world with the message of the Gospel
is vividly seen in John 15:18-19 where the Lord Jesus describes the world’s
opposition to Himself as well as to His disciples then and now. According to these
verses, the reason the world system hates the followers of Jesus is because the
world hates Jesus. Again, according to verse 18, “If the world hate you, ye know
that it hated Me before it hated you.”

There is no common ground or frame of reference to engage in consensus
building to move forward with mutual benefit. The disciples of Jesus are called
out of the world and through the miracle of grace are transformed from being
“the children of wrath” (Eph. 2:3) and being “without God in the world” (Eph.
2:12) to being “not of the world” and being “the children of light” (Eph. 5:8). We
are told, therefore, in I John 2:15 that, “if any man love the world, the love of the
Father is not in him.” It is impossible to love the evil world manifested in our
culture in opposition to God and His Word and then to also love God, His ways,
and His work.

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We live in a day of great political polarization where the opposing sides seem
irreconcilable and diametrically opposed to one another. However, this human
breach is nothing compared to the spiritual conflict between the light of God’s
Son and the darkness and depravity of the forces of evil that dominate the world
system. Bible believing Christians are in the world but not of the world so we may
give witness to the person of Jesus Christ as He is revealed in Scripture, Who
alone is the light of the world. Light and darkness don’t mix. As the light of God’s
truth advances, the darkness of the world must recede.

The only way that we can manifest that light is through the presence and power
of the Holy Spirit Who is sent to us for this purpose (John 15:26-27). Although the
hatred of the world remains, we must not attempt to lessen the conflict by
dimming or obscuring the light of God’s truth as the modern church does by
embracing popular culture and seeking the acceptance of man. Instead, we must
give witness to the light and victory of our Lord over sin and death by living out
our faith with changed lives, so that others may still be saved out of the bondage
and darkness of the world. Yes, the conflict continues, and in the world faithful
servants of the Lord will have tribulation, but in Christ we also have peace
because He has overcome the world (John 16:33).

The biblical posture is to spiritually overcome the world not to make peace with
the world. Neither should we be using the world’s philosophy, music, heroes, or
ways as we seek to bring the lost out of the world. Jesus is from above and not of
this world (John 8:23). He has called His disciples out of the world (John 15:19).
This is still the Gospel message, to bring individuals out of the darkness and
domain of the world. Yes, in the world but now within the spiritual sphere of
walking in fellowship w/ Christ in His peace and victory (John 16:33). Finally, Jesus
declares in John 12:46, “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever
believeth on Me should not abide in darkness.” Any message or ministry that
contradicts this verse in not part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.