… in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world
Summary: Paul uses a phrase here that is deceptively simple. The “ways of this world” is a phrase we might accept without thinking about, but once we reflect on it, we realize there is a lot to consider.
When I read this passage, the first question that comes to mind is about the “ways of this world.” What are they? What does Paul mean here?
Looking back at the larger context, Paul’s sentence reads: “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world …” It seems that the “ways of this world” are wrapped up in “transgressions and sins.”
Whenever I want a general overview of God’s definition of “good and evil,” I find myself drawn to Matthew 6:37-40. In the story, Jesus is asked to identify the “greatest commandment in the Law.” Jesus responds by saying two things. First, love God above all else. Second, love your neighbor as yourself. That is the definition of being good.
What is evil?
Everything that is not good! It is really as simple as that. Whenever we put ourselves before God, we are “missing the mark.” If we are not loving (agapé) our neighbor as we look out for ourselves, we are again “missing the mark.”
We tend to judge good and evil by human standards, which is to say if it is good for me, it is “good,” and if it seems bad to me, it is “evil.” Hitler is often cited as the epitome of evil from a worldly point of view, but I doubt he saw himself that way. From his point of view and those of his followers, what we did was all in the “good” category.
Even people we think of as “good” fall short of God’s standard. There are a lot of people who do good things, but still, fail to put God first in their lives. Some people put God first (or say they do) and then fail to treat their neighbor as themselves.
The standard really is quite high. A “good” person in God’s eyes always has God foremost in their mind. They treat all people as God’s people, regardless of how broken or offensive they might be. They do not covet, and they do not hoard. They forgive every wrong from the slightest offense to the greatest imaginable grievance.
The ways of this world are cruel and heartless at their worst, and gracious to some, but indifferent to most at their best. The ways of this world never put God first. Turning our back on God is more than a bad idea. Being dead in our sins without Jesus is simply a one-way ticket to hell.
Application: Be aware of which standard you choose to live by.
Food for Thought: In your experience, what are the best and the worst of the world’s ways?
Hmm. Tough question to answer.
I tend to think all of the world’s ways are bad because it is under the sway of our spiritual enemy. Jesus referred to our enemy as the prince of this world. John 12: 31; John 14: 30; John 16: 11. We are not to love this world or become to friendly with it. 1 John 2: 15 – 17; James 4: 4. The worldly system is not a system for us to trust or emulate.
Rich,
As always, I love how you search the Scriptures for answers. The references you give us today provide insight into your words. I’ll link them here.
In your experience, what are the best and the worst of the world’s ways?
I think the two are tied together. There are people who “need” and people who “have”. Time, attention (empathy, understanding), and resources. The best the world can offer is that you share, the worst is that you don’t. The world says I can use MY will to heal the world, or tear it apart.
God doesn’t call us to share, he calls us to give. Christ didn’t “share” His forgiveness and grace, He gave it. It cost Him.
The world’s good and bad doesn’t come at a cost to you, but to those around you. God’s goodness calls us to give of ourselves, not because we have, or we have abundantly and won’t miss it, but because we love God and our neighbor. We can freely give knowing that God will provide for our needs (but not what we think are our needs, what He knows are our needs).
Chris,
You have dug deep today my friend! Juxtaposing giving and sharing is very interesting. It is a great point, and I can’t think of a case off the top of my head where it is not true.
03-27-2023, In your experience, what are the best and the worst of the world’s ways?
I have had the freedom live, making my choices within the rights of the Constitution and laws of the United States. One of these rights has been the freedom to worship God as I choose, the freedom to openly accept and worship Jesus Christ as I have increasingly given myself to Him during my lifetime. We were known as a Christian nation.
The worst part of this world is watching the increasing insanity as a greater number give themselves over to evils of this world each day.
Thank you, Ron!
Some would argue that the Constitution was more Godly than worldly in its origins, but I take your point. From the world’s perspective that certainly is a high water mark.
In your experience, what are the best and the worst of the world’s ways?
My beautiful wife and I thought about it and discussed things that e thought qualified as worldly good-ish…. and our conclusion was that anything we could think of God had His hand in it, was involved somehow or provided. So in short we don’t know.
The bad……. God is in charge.
I was at a truck stop talking with a trucker that had too much to drink yesterday about Jesus . He knew some scripture called himself a Christian but being intoxicated made me pray he could be following Christ closer. We talked about how fallen the world is, how God is in charge, how we have faith, how Jesus has power over everything including Death, and how He is coming back. Then He said something that made me think and discuss with him more ( how I know he knows some scripture… doctrine was a little off but nobody’s perfect) ” Jesus is comming back and He’s going to be Pissed” then he pointed out a few passages that gave a few examples ( whip and money exchangers ). Not sure where I was going with it.
Oh truck driver conclusion was not to drive until tomorrow.
Whew!! I was wondering!! 🙂
T&A –
Thanks for wrestling with today’s question. My hope is always that these meditations and questions prompt some of that.
I have to agree – whatever is good in the world comes from God!
…. not saying it is bad that God is in charge I’m saying that with the bad…… God is in charge He has a plan and in the end God wins.
Got it!
It’s hard knowing God is Sovereign, and what we see as bad requires His approval, not ours. Sometimes it is just really hard to see these people covered in gasoline trying to light matches.
But I think it is harder for God.