Identify that Familiar Howl

In a community of rational people, the goal of civil debate is best achieved when both sides recognize that reasonable differences are presented as objectives which are actually reasonable.

But in a world unbound by a moral code, reasonability has become a flexible parameter, that is, something needed to accomplish a goal rather than define it. So, I keep reminding myself that’s how the world works.

It’s always re-thinking, re-defining and re-making itself.

No wonder so many discussions don’t make sense. That’s probably why “the disciple that Jesus loved” didn’t have a lot of good things to say about how the world works:

“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. [1Jn. 2:15-16]

There you go.

I can’t love the world and love the truth. They’re incompatible.

The world is willing to give me everything my flesh craves. We like to call it the good life. But the only life this world offers is built upon what seems reasonable to those who lust for its treasures. Look around. The rulers of this world sustain themselves with those treasures: power, pride and flesh.

I wonder…do they know where this is all going?

The world is passing away, and also its lusts, but the one who does the will of God remains in the age.” [1Jn. 2:17]

[Why is it important to be able to “remain in the age?” see: Let’s Engage the Coming Age!]

I can’t think of a Bible verse that’s more direct and comprehensive in illustrating how much influence this world has over Jesus Christ’s disciples than what the apostle Paul wrote to “the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who [were] at Colossae:”

“See [that] no one shall be taking you captive through human wisdom and empty deception, based on the traditions of men, based on the elementary forces of the world and not based on Christ.”  [vs. 2:8]

It’s interesting to note here what he says deception is based on. Human wisdom. Tradition. The fundamental things of the world.

Isn’t it reasonable to assume these things are stumbling blocks to any man who is determined to “remain in the age,” that is, the age to come?

Maybe that depends on who you ask.