A Friend Of The World

Last April, Aris Metaxukis challenged us to be "Men Of the Hour".  Recently, we asked Aris to share some more of his thoughts for us in a guest article for The ANVIL Newsletter.  Aris lives in Peterborough, and is currently waiting on God for placement in a full-time ministry position.

Aris Metaxukis - "Men Of The Hour" (April 26/2012)

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                A Friend Of The World ... is an enemy of God

About 17 years ago, while on a mission trip in Northern Greece, I had a conversation  with a pastor’s wife about  blessings such as our immediate comforts,  like a nice condo or house and a comfortable lifestyle. I remember   I had remarked to her that often we set our hearts on them and they can become an obstacle in serving the Lord. Her response was direct and without hesitation: “I like what I have.” There was something about her tone and directness that caused me to be alarmed. A few years later, on a following visit, her husband informed that his wife had a new revelation from God and now she was preaching “faith”, while others around her now felt that God “didn’t want them to be poor.”

It has been my observation, on more than one occasion, that what we set our hearts on, will inevitably influence our view of God’s Word. There is nothing wrong with having good things. God is kind and good. Yet, we are instructed to be careful what we cherish and  pursue. 

About a week ago, I read James 4:4 and sensed the Holy Spirit emphasizing this truth strongly to my heart: “You adulterers! Do you  not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”

You may not have a problem in the same area as in the “Health and Wealth” of some hyper-faith folk in the church. Today, in the world, the  culture of pluralism  is an epidemic. It is the new standard and the new mantra. The media and entertainment industry, our educational  institutions and every area of public discourse has been deeply influenced and largely converted to the idea that everyone possesses their own truth; that truth is private and that everyone’s views on values, God, family are  all equally  valid.   Moreover, truth is relative and therefore just accept the “new normal” whatever it may be.  If enough people say “black is white and white is black” the few dissenters will—eventually—join the crowd. It’s a cliché but it is tragically true. 

 Maria Konnikova"s online article, in 2011,  on Solomon Asch’s well known "line study"  done in the 1950’s, (Bigthink, the Pesuasive Art of Conformity) clearly states, 

“…  But there was something about being the odd man out that caused intelligent, well-educated subjects to go against their better judgment.”  

The point is well made, that people are susceptible to pressure and are willing to negate clear, visible proof of what is real due to fear of rejection. This process of negation of reality may take time, perhaps years, yet the principle at work is real and potentially devastating to the church today.

I wonder how we are faring in the arena of public confession of our faith? Do we still earnestly contend for the faith which was delivered unto us? (Jude 3) Do we still proclaim, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ because it is the power of God  for salvation…”, (Rom 1.16)  or,  is our spiritual ear listening a little too politely to the whispers of the world?  As  the Apostle Paul warns  the younger Timothy ,“… in the last days, some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits… ”. (1 Tim 4.1)

To be honest, I am troubled by  the constant lies and distortions in our western culture,  and  the weakening  position and response  of the Christian church (not only on pluralism but on many other issues). The Bible teaches and encourages believers, those    “… in whose heart is My law … not to fear the reproach of men. “ (Isaiah 51.7b) We need to examine our own hearts and say,  “Search me, O God, and know my heart …  and see if there is some wicked way in me.” (Ps 139.23-24b).  The idea that God considers adulterous  the desire for  approval  or friendship  with others in the world,  at the expense of truth, should not shock us.  It reveals that we are yet  weak and need to ask the Lord to help us DIE to these  human and yet sinful propensities.  We need to turn to the Lord with a sober mind set, understanding the time in which we live, and receive  from Him the grace which He so richly promises us. We are taught in the Word that we have continual access into this grace in which we stand, even into the very presence of Almighty God, as Jesus opened  the way for us into the Holy of Holies. (Rom 5.2)

I believe that we, as men of the  church today,  play a crucial role.  As we are called to be leaders, God will hold us to account on how we have stood for Him in an unpopular time. The critically deciding factor will be our answer to  the question : 

Whose friend  do we really want to be, God’s or the world’s?  

 If we give God a wholehearted “yes”,  others around us will see our bold stand and take note that Christ has touched us, not giving sway to the present mindset of pluralism  or whatever other  –ism  is in the world today. We can overcome as Jesus has promise us the victory. To the Church of Laodicea, the lukewarm church, Jesus  concluded with these words: “To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” (Rev 3.21)

May we say, “Yes Lord Jesus,  I want to be loyal  to You, here  I am,  I want to be your man.”