The World... Oct. 2 2016 - a podcast by VOX Community Podcast

We all know John 3:16: “For God so loved the world…” But what is our definition of the world ? It may be the order of this universe, or the people who dwell here, or the organized system of human civilization. Christians often assign a negative connotation.

We often hear “I am IN this world, but not OF it.” 1 John 2:15 admonishes us NOT to love the world. But how can this be when Jesus loves it so much?

World values are not God’s values. The former seeks power and fame, while the latter rewards weakness and forgiveness. Of course we don’t want to align with world values, but must we label everything as godly or ungodly? Although some things are clearly good or bad, some are neutral.

Romans 12:2 can shed light on the issue. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.” This would suggest that we should hate the pattern of this world—not the labels or things it contains. We might want to dismiss our labels and figure out what is godly or ungodly by questioning and having discernment.

Story by Josh Spitz

“Not all those who wander are lost” – J.R. Tolkien. We heard Josh’s story, despite the fact that he was a bit nervous and started out by announcing “I want to throw up.” He is a self-declared nerd who has a history of serving in children’s ministry, although, after graduating high school, he walked a path that excluded God. As a matter of fact, he then preferred drinking and porn, all in an effort to run away from God, and even suffered a broken engagement to the woman he loved. His favorite verse is Jeremiah 29:11, “ ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ We are happy to hear that he is now enjoying church and has even begun to repair the relationship with his fiancée.

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