239. The God of This World

Our gospel is veiled to those who are perishing, and the reason for this is that the god of this age has blinded the minds of those who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. 2 Cor. 4:3-4.

Worldly refinement is a god that is worshipped to the degree that people completely lose sight of the glory of Christ. The glory of this refinement darkens the glory of Christ. Many people stumble about in the fog, dreaming about their own greatness and superiority, or they admire those whom they consider to be educated and refined. One sin draws others after it, and education is closely followed by the pride of life and partiality. These in turn are the source of more devilishness: greed, miserliness, vanity, fancy clothing, contempt for the poor, haughtiness, and all kinds of other stupidity that lead people down into darkness and give them an educated mind and heart. Instead of being loved and well-liked by their surroundings, they become hated and abhorred.

The glory of Christ is hidden in the power of God that can turn things upside down, so what the flesh considers glorious becomes an abomination. This leads to hatred, and hatred brings death and separation. Anyone who drifts into this doomed spirit of the world becomes condemned in it and will perish with it. The glory of Christ no longer has value to such a person, nor do those who seek Christ’s glory and honor. They measure God’s beloved people according to their worldly refinement and find that they do not measure up regarding pronunciation, writing, manners, or refined behavior. Then they shake their heads and say, “No, that kind of Christianity just does not measure up.”

Covetousness is blinding. It causes people to measure godliness by how much a person contributes. Covetousness is blinding to the degree that people call gifts “the way.” We need a cow, money for houses, potatoes, vegetables, sheets, pillows—all this for “the sick”—nothing for ourselves. This is the way, walk in it. Covetousness makes people so stupid that even worldly eyes and common sense can see and understand the motives. Jesus went around and healed all who came to Him, but that is simply too cumbersome. It is much easier to invite the sick into one’s villa, from which you can (in Jesus’ name) carry on with begging continuously because the sick need everything between earth and high heaven. It is one thing to beg for bread and money for coffee if you are hungry—then you do it for yourself and do not make it appear to be for the sick—but this does not get you very far. Instead, these great beggars ask for hundreds of kroner in the name of Jesus and call it “the way” and tell you to walk in it. Such wretchedness is enough to make you sick. Jesus did not have a place to rest His head, and He is “the way, the truth, and the life.” So measuring people according to your own covetousness is not the way to life and peace. Rather, it leads to more covetousness, which is idolatry.

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God.” 1 John 4:1-2.

When Christ came in the flesh, then He mastered the lusts of the flesh and nailed them all on the cross. He did this when He was in His own flesh (Heb. 2:14), and He does it in our flesh. As He lived, we shall come to live because He is “the example” and He is “the Way.” Anyone who preaches another way preaches the way to covetousness and earthly gain. For the sake of gain, some ran in the error of Balaam’s way. Jude verse 11. They mouthed great swelling words, and they flattered people to gain advantage. Verse 16. Let us stick to the Bible because the Word of God tests all things. It has tested in the past, tests in the present, and will test in the future. If we have food and clothing, let us be content. We brought nothing with us into this world, and we will not take anything out of it.

Gluttony, drunkenness, and over-indulgence are blinding. People look at indulgence as something grand, and they give great attention to fine food. The glory of Christ is thus obscured, and their bellies become their god. What glories can the world offer, which do not make people stupid and blind so that the glory of Christ is hidden??? Our life in the world is to perish; how then can the life of Christ come forth if people use all their energy seeking to nourish their flesh so that it can live and prosper?

Away with all that blinds the eyes and darkens the glory of Christ! This is the way. Walk in it!!!