Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  8000 The life of the believer  »  8200 The character of the believer  »  8207 commitment  »  8211 commitment, to the world

Though the world is fallen, God still loves the world and is committed to it. Commitment by believers to worldly pursuits and evil is to be avoided as they are called upon to be “in the world” but “not of the world”.

Commitment to this world to be avoided because it is a fallen and sinful place

Galatians 1:4; 1 John 5:19 See also 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:2; Ephesians 6:12; 2 Peter 1:4; 1 John 2:16-17; John 3:1,13

Though the world is fallen, God still loves it

John 3:16 See also 2 Corinthians 5:18-20

Preoccupation with the things of this world is incompatible with holy living

James 4:4; 1 John 2:15 See also John 17:14-16; Acts 2:40; Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 7:31; 2 Corinthians 6:14-17; Isaiah 52:11; Philippians 2:15; Colossians 3:2; Titus 2:12; James 1:27; 1 Peter 1:14; Peter 2:11; Peter 4:3

Commitment to the world is seen especially in materialism

1 Timothy 6:17 See also Matthew 6:19; Matthew 19:23 pp Luke 18:24; Luke 12:16-21

The outcome of worldly commitment

Spiritual loss

Luke 9:25 pp Matthew 16:26 pp Mark 8:36 See also Matthew 13:22; 2 Timothy 4:10

God's judgment

1 Corinthians 11:32 See also John 12:31; John 16:11; Ephesians 5:6

Carelessness with regard to Jesus Christ's return

Luke 21:34 See also Matthew 24:38-39; Luke 12:40,46; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-9

See also

4025  world, the
5811  compromise
5869  greed
6744  sanctification
8266  holiness
8778  materialism
8848  worldliness