Introduction. When God speaks of the things “in this world,” it is generally negative. “For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world” (1Jn. 2:15-17). The world “perverts” the wholesome desires and self-esteem of those “created in the image and likeness of God” into vile lusts and arrogance. Think of the healthy fresh food we enjoy. It smells and tastes wonderful. Yet that same food left outside for a few days has a foul smell and brings only a desire to vomit. This is what the world has done to souls.
Yet not everything in this world is evil. Sometimes God used the wisdom, diligence and sacrifice of those in this world to motivate His people. This is summed up in a sad lament of Jesus. “For the sons of this world are for their own generation wiser than the sons of the light” (Lk. 16:8). When we place our efforts to serve Jesus against those who “desire to be rich” or seek to excel in their profession/hobby, how do we compare? Are they more diligent and wiser than we?
Yet not everything in this world is evil. Sometimes God used the wisdom, diligence and sacrifice of those in this world to motivate His people. This is summed up in a sad lament of Jesus. “For the sons of this world are for their own generation wiser than the sons of the light” (Lk. 16:8). When we place our efforts to serve Jesus against those who “desire to be rich” or seek to excel in their profession/hobby, how do we compare? Are they more diligent and wiser than we?
Athletes. When Paul said, “those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize,” he wanted us to imitate their self-control and sacrifice (1Cor. 9:24-27). The sacrifices of an Olympic contender or a paid professional athlete are intense. They show what man can do to discipline and bring a body into control. Paul saw their wisdom: “I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” If we don’t take this to heart, then truly “the sons of this world are wiser...” When their desire for a perishable crown exceeds our desire for an eternal crown, we ought to be ashamed.
In the same way, “anyone” who “competes in athletics is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules” (2Tim. 2:5-6). When we see referees closely watching and replays/reviews used to be certain they were not mistaken, we see the degree the world takes this. Many great plays have been disqualified and games lost because of a penalty. If athletes learn and abide by rules while Christians ignore them, “they are wiser.”
Builders. Since “everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand” (Mt. 7:26), we are foolish indeed to not play by His rules (words). Even builders in this world are wiser than that; they would never build on sand! Yet multitudes of churches today reveal how little some care about following God’s rules, changing what He has revealed for their own benefit and building on sand.
Soldiers. All “soldiers” know their duty: “No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life.” While on “active duty,” nothing can interfere with their service. Each of us “must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” As we look at their “basic training” and sacrifices, complaining of our own tribulations and persecutions is truly folly (2Tim. 2:3-7).
Farmers. Paul told Timothy “the hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops” (2Tim. 2:6). As “Paul planted and Apollos watered,” others watched to see if they partook of what they were sowing. Each must “let your progress be evident to all” so “you can save yourself and those who hear you” (1Tim. 4:15-16). Paul truly partook of these fruits and could say: “The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Phil 4:9). Jesus said “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Lk. 9:62). How can we furrow a straight row looking backward? “Remember Lot’s wife.” James spoke of the patience of the farmer: “See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient.” (Jas. 5:7-8).
Students. Those of this world place a high premium on education. College is designed to force people to work hard and gain the knowledge necessary to excel. How have we been “diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth?” Are doctors more diligent than we are? Some parents are wiser for their children’s development in sports or education than in “training up a child in the way he should go.” When we allow them to skip Bible class for school or sports, is that wisdom?
Conclusion: These and other examples are all around us. Jesus used merchants, builders, sowers, stewards, fisherman, judges and others in His parables to teach us to compare our efforts to theirs. When “the queen of the south (Sheba) rises up in the judgment” against those who lacked her wisdom, what will they say (Matt. 12:42)? Her very life condemned theirs. Will it condemn ours as well?
In the same way, “anyone” who “competes in athletics is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules” (2Tim. 2:5-6). When we see referees closely watching and replays/reviews used to be certain they were not mistaken, we see the degree the world takes this. Many great plays have been disqualified and games lost because of a penalty. If athletes learn and abide by rules while Christians ignore them, “they are wiser.”
Builders. Since “everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand” (Mt. 7:26), we are foolish indeed to not play by His rules (words). Even builders in this world are wiser than that; they would never build on sand! Yet multitudes of churches today reveal how little some care about following God’s rules, changing what He has revealed for their own benefit and building on sand.
Soldiers. All “soldiers” know their duty: “No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life.” While on “active duty,” nothing can interfere with their service. Each of us “must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” As we look at their “basic training” and sacrifices, complaining of our own tribulations and persecutions is truly folly (2Tim. 2:3-7).
Farmers. Paul told Timothy “the hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops” (2Tim. 2:6). As “Paul planted and Apollos watered,” others watched to see if they partook of what they were sowing. Each must “let your progress be evident to all” so “you can save yourself and those who hear you” (1Tim. 4:15-16). Paul truly partook of these fruits and could say: “The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Phil 4:9). Jesus said “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Lk. 9:62). How can we furrow a straight row looking backward? “Remember Lot’s wife.” James spoke of the patience of the farmer: “See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient.” (Jas. 5:7-8).
Students. Those of this world place a high premium on education. College is designed to force people to work hard and gain the knowledge necessary to excel. How have we been “diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth?” Are doctors more diligent than we are? Some parents are wiser for their children’s development in sports or education than in “training up a child in the way he should go.” When we allow them to skip Bible class for school or sports, is that wisdom?
Conclusion: These and other examples are all around us. Jesus used merchants, builders, sowers, stewards, fisherman, judges and others in His parables to teach us to compare our efforts to theirs. When “the queen of the south (Sheba) rises up in the judgment” against those who lacked her wisdom, what will they say (Matt. 12:42)? Her very life condemned theirs. Will it condemn ours as well?