Q: To Whom it May Concern, The deeper I dive into God`s Word the more troubled and truly sick I feel over the sins in this world, and thus the less I want to be a part of it. I know Scripture days that we are aliens/foreigners in this world and are to keep our eye on the prize, however, I simply am at a point where I do not want this sinful world. Scripture also days that those who have died or not yet born are better off than we are, but I also know that if I am still here then God still has a purpose for me in furthering His kingdom, however I hate the sins in this world. Let it be known that I am in no way suicidal, for I believe that would be sin. So, after all that here is my question. Is it Biblical, or okay to pray that Jesus takes you out of this life due to the sins of the world and brings you to the next?
A: Let Jesus answer your question. "The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life (John 12:25)." Therefore, you are experiencing that which is proving your faith in the Lord. I share your feelings in many ways. This is not heaven and what we witness and experience on a daily basis only reinforces that point. There is nothing wrong with you feeling this way. The essence of the Christian faith is one of not holding onto this present world. The Apostle Paul was torn between desiring to go be with the Lord and trying to continue his evangelism here on earth. "I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body (Philippians 1:23-24)." I encourage you to use that sick feeling you have for this world as motivation to keep sharing Christ with as many people as you can. You know that for Christians this world is the worst it gets for us. But, for the unbeliever, this is the best it will ever be for them unless they accept Jesus Christ as their Savior.
The Bible says that as Christians "our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:20)." Therefore, you are not from here, in a spiritual sense. How many people have home sickness when they are away from home? What you're experiencing can best be labeled as a form of homesickness. The sin you see is making you long for home because you know you do not belong here. However, because you are a citizen of heaven, you also have a role to fulfill while you are still here on earth. "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us (2 Corinthians 5:20)." You are an ambassador of Christ. What is an ambassador? An ambassador is a "diplomatic official of the highest rank, sent by one sovereign or state to another as its resident representative." In other words, you are here to represent Jesus Christ to the world. Ever notice how the world seems to have a mindset that this life and world is all there is? You have people "living life to the fullest," which is a metaphor for increasing the sin in their lives. You also have people who seemingly worship the planet and will do everything in their power to save it and convert you in the process.
Do not lose heart. "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them (2 Timothy 3:1-5)." Does this sound like the description of those things that have led you to the point that you do not want anything to do with this world? It has all been foretold within the pages of scripture. You are not alone in your desire to want God to take you home. In fact, just the other day I jokingly asked a Christian friend of mine "When is the Rapture coming?" We were both tired of the struggle this life offers. Despite man's best efforts this world is getting worse by the minute. It is why we have to be that light which draws those trapped in the darkness. Remember how your sin eventually led you to realize your need for the salvation Jesus offers? Well, we should be thankful that the world is so terrible because it can work in the Lord's favor as people get sick and tired of being sick and tired and thus turn to Christ by faith. That is where you and I can be available to be used by Jesus to meet them where they are at and be a witness for Jesus.
In conclusion, please remember one vital thing. "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him (1 John 2:15)." You clearly do not love this world. Rejoice! The truth of the Bible is revealing itself to you as we speak. And also keep in mind what you mentioned about keeping your "eyes on the prize." "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14)." Since you know that the "prize" awaits you and is guaranteed, press on towards it in full assurance of faith that the Lord is with you in the midst of it all. You cannot lose. You either stay here and tell people about the Lord or you can go home to be with Him for all eternity. "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21)." Therefore, the next time you are reminded of how sinful this world is remember that it is not your home, should remind you of how important the Gospel message is and that you are doing God's work. What could be better than that? May the words of our Lord comfort you until He calls us home to be with Him. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid (John 14:27)." Thank you for the opportunity to answer your question.
6 comments:
This exhange has realy given me alot of hope. I stuggle with the same .I know that the end times are at our front door .My problem is I drink beer and smoke(in the closet) quite often to cope .I know its wrong and I want to quit but,I just can't seem to .I have tryed countless times .What can I do about my own sin issues ?
Thanks for your comment and question. Take heart in knowing that we all struggle with dependency issues at times. I used find an "escape" in alcohol, even after I became a Christian. We feel that those things will make it easier to cope with our problems. When, in fact, they make them more difficult.
Now, I am assuming you are a Christian. By that I mean you are certain that you have become born again of the Spirit of God through faith in Jesus Christ. If not, then you need to address that first. You must understand the Gospel; what Jesus Christ did and what you have received in Him. Secondly, as a Christian you must understand and believe that your sins are not separating you from God. You are forgiven. If you are interested, here is a link to a bible study on forgiveness that will help you http://www.realanswers.net/realanswers/?p=59#more-59. Or, if you prefer to listen to teaching, here is a link to a free teaching on the subject of forgiveness, http://archive.livinggodministries.net/forgiveness.htm.
What helped me quit drinking was to realize my identity in Christ. I realized that it was not consistent with who I was as a child of God to be dependent on alcohol. It is no different with drinking beer and smoking. Those habits, in and of themselves, are not necessarily sins, but if you are dependent on them then they become sinful. Is it consistent with who you are as a child of God to drink and smoke? Your answer to that will go a long way towards helping you overcome what you are dealing with. I hope this helps. Ian
Thanks for your reply . Yes I am a believer in JESUS .I am born again . I know that I am a child of god .I know gods forgiveness like never before . I have just had so many problems the last 7 years .It seems like its one problem after another . The latest problem I am having is unemployment .I have been unemployed for a year and a half . Its amazing how much my self esteem was built upon my work .even though I try to keep busy I just never feel productive like when I had a job.Im getting old . In the last year I have become very much aware of the economy,politics and powers that controll our country and world and the end times . So here is a few questions .
I have been thinking about starting a business but,I keep hearing those words "do not love the world " I can not seem to get interested in anything worldy .How can I overcome that ?Before I was ego and greed driven but,now nothing in the world realy interest me anymore even making money .
How can I get myself moving again ? I pretty much sit around the house 10 or eleven hours a day and sleep 7 .
I feel hopeless in this life so I smoke and drink to cope .Security and money are just an illusion so why even bother .
Is it ok to be "into " my work ?
Is it ok to make money to live and give ?
Is it ok to go on vacation ?
Is it ok to have fun and enjoy life ?
Is it ok to learn selling skills and sell even though it seems decieveing ?
Nothing seems to matter anymore . I just don't have the "fire" I used to have.
Maby you can help me sort this all out .
The answer to all your questions is “Yes.” There is nothing wrong with doing any of the things you are asking about. Enjoying the world God has provided does not mean that you “love the world.” Nor, to be more specific, does it mean you are an enemy of God, which your questions imply. The fact that you are stressing over all of this is proof that you do not love the world. I encourage you to start a business. If your desire is to be your own boss, go ahead and do it. I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing so many problems over the last several years. I understand that they have zapped much of your motivation for many things. Unfortunately, this world is not designed to give us much, if any, peace. Normally, the peace we do find is temporal at best. Given the current political and economic climate, the people suffering through job loss, and all the effects, the number of those suffering is increasing.
As you know, Jesus talked about having tribulation in this world. In many ways, experiencing it is just proof of His statement. If you have not already, I encourage you to continue to study those things about our identity in Christ. There was a time when I was drinking and seemingly consumed by vices and some of it occurred after I became a Christian. All my attempts to stop failed or increased my indulgence in sins. The only thing that stopped me was recognizing that my behavior was not consistent with my identity as a child of God. I chose to be dependent on the indwelling Spirit of God instead of those things offered by the world, including my career. That is the only place you will begin to experience a change in your life. You do not need good self-esteem; you need a proper self-image of who you are in Christ. God knows you need employment, income and stability. However, ultimately, you need to know Him.
Practically speaking, you need to take those hours you are using to sit around the house and dedicate them to trying to find employment. Any kind of employment. You have to work. There is no way around it. The more you stay idle the more you will slide deeper into the depression you are already dealing with. If I knew the magic words that would get you off the couch and out in front of the television, I would tell you. But, you are responsible for initiating the action. Like you, I am aware of the current world climate and, like you, believe that the End could be near. But, until that time comes we all have to live in this world and that means we have to work. Trust the Lord. He has the cattle on a thousand hills. Trust that He will “sell” one and give it to you. As your brother in Christ, I need your help, along with all the other saints, to spread the Gospel. We cannot do that if we are despairing of life to the point we are unable to be available to God to use us. I hope this helps.
Thanks ! Im already starting to get busy .
You're welcome. Thanks for reaching out. Glad to hear you're getting busy. Let me know how things turn out. YBIC
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