World Stains
The modern world demands more maturity while also promoting immaturity; like being irritated that there’s no fruit on the tree you’ve keep in a pot in the closet. There’s a lot more to navigate, and don’t worry about it, here are ten coins for the new game we’ve made for you to play.
In the same paragraph where James said that we must be doers of the Word and not hearers only, he said that pure religion before God the Father is to visit widows and orphans in their affliction (James 1:27 bibrefjames1 bibrefjames1v27). It matters how we care for the vulnerable. And then he said, “and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” In this way we are all vulnerable.
Unstained could also be stated as “unspotted” (Tyndale/KJV), “polluted” (NIV). Did the Sharpie cap come off in the chest pocket of your white Oxford? Did you leave the wet tea bag on the tile counter? It left a mark.
As Christians, all are ours (1 Corinthians 3:22 bibref1corinthians3 bibref1corinthians3v22). And as Christians, we cannot love the world or the things of the world (1 John 2:15 bibref1john2 bibref1john2v15). We must be grateful but resist grumbling like this crooked generation (Philippians 2:14-15 bibrefphilippians2 bibrefphilippians2v14 bibrefphilippians2v15). We must take responsibility and not elevate resentment. We must make the most of our time (Ephesians 5:15 bibrefephesians5 bibrefephesians5v15), and not consume the most posts while we are online.
Guard your heart. Check your screen time. Watch out for the world, it will stain and suck out your soul.