My dear brothers and sisters, when we shared communion earlier, I was reflecting on how the early church in the book of Acts continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine. You might wonder, is this different from Jesus’ doctrine? Not at all. We have this doctrine through the scriptures, written by holy men of God who were moved by the Holy Spirit. This written word is the primary way the Lord speaks to us today, providing a foundation for everything we need to live our Christian life.
Escaping the World's Corruption
I felt led to share from 2 Peter 1:1-4. Peter writes to all who have received a faith as precious as ours. He reminds us:
"Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust." (2 Peter 1:3-4 NASB 1995)
God has already given us everything we need for a godly life. But we must have the true knowledge of Him. Without staying grounded in scripture, it is easy to have an incorrect understanding of Christ or to apply an "Old Testament" mentality that focuses only on earthly, natural blessings.
A Different Kingdom, A Different Priority
Often, our prayers reveal where our hearts truly lie. Are we primarily praying for careers, wealth, and status?. These are the things the Gentiles seek after. Jesus tells us:
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33 NASB 1995)
We are in this world, but we are not of it. Like Daniel in Babylon, we should not be corrupted by the system around us. If we are preoccupied with worldly things, we risk becoming "fleshly" or "worldly"—infants who can only handle milk instead of the solid food of spiritual maturity. True maturity isn't about knowing deep theological theories; it’s about whether we are actually obeying God and reflecting His nature.
Guarding the Heart
Apostle John also warns us about the pull of the world:
"Do not love the world nor 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 lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world." (1 John 2:15-16 NASB 1995)
The world tries to reach us through our physical appetites, what we see, and our desire for status. We must examine ourselves: do we value what the world values—power, wealth, and charisma—or do we value what God values?.
Sometimes we pretend we can’t tell the difference between a godly desire and a worldly one, much like the farmer who "couldn't" distinguish between his black horse and his white horse. But the closer we get to God, the more clearly we will see His heart. Let us repent of our worldliness and hold fast to the promises that allow us to partake in His divine nature.