Are YOU an Earthling???

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For ALL that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." 1 John 2:15-17 (KJV)
The Amplified Bible states it this way:"Do not love or cherish the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh [craving for sensual gratification] and the lust of the eyes [greedy longings of the mind] and the pride of life [assurance in one's own resources or in the stability of earthly things]--these do not come from the Father but are from the world [itself]. And the world passes away and disappears, and with it the forbidden cravings (the passionate desires, the lust) of it; but he who does the will of God and carries out His purposes in his life abides (remains) forever." 1 John 2:15-17 (The Amplified Bible)

In case you were thinking I was about to go into a discourse about aliens from outer space, or strange beings from other planets--I'm not. This is all about us. I am referring to the Body of Christ, and our attachment to this earth--to things not eternal, to stuff, "bigger barns" (see Luke 12:15-21).

The message of prosperity has so permeated, not only society (it is natural, there), but our churches. It seems as if many of us are building earthly kingdoms, rather than living in anticipation of an everlasting "building", "not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens" (2 Corinthians 5:1,2). Most of us are not groaning ("earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from Heaven"). In fact, many of us are setting ourselves up as if we are to remain here, forever. We have taken, "Occupy until I come", to a whole other level! We put Kingdom-building on the back burner, instead choosing personal kingdom building.

The Bible instructs us (3 John, vs.2) "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospers". We have misuesd this verse to propagate a "Health and Wealth Gospel". An understanding of the intent of the writer, John, and to whom he was speaking would yield a different outcome, if we accept the true meaning of this verse. John wrote this letter to Gaius expressing his personal "concern" for his welfare. He wrote the letter to Gaius, who was a leader of a congregation, with the intent to encourage Gaius to continue in the work of the Gospel and to express his displeasure of Diotrephes (vs. 9,10)
The word "above" in the King James Version is mistranslated. It should be correctly rendered as: concerning, about (not the word we know in the english language, above). Further, the word "prosper" is from the Greek word "euodo'o", which means "to have a good and safe journey throughout one's life". It is not about attaining riches and earthly goods--John does NOT even address those things, here. Lastly, "be in health" is the Greek word, "hugiainein", which is not a guarantee that Gaius (or any of us) would always be healthy--but "simply expresses a wish". Even if you read the rendering from the Jewish Bible--it looks very different from the meaning that we have given it, based on our understanding of the King's English--"From: The Elder To: Dear Gaius, whom I love in truth: Dear friend, I am praying that everything prosper with you and that you be in good health, as I know you are prospering spiritually." How is it that we have read so much more into this verse and others, than what was originally intended???

Always, and in every place, our Lord and the Apostles, encourage us to focus not on the earthly or carnal, but the things which are eternal and will last forever. We are NOT "of this world" but "of the Father"! The sound doctrine of the Word of God, admonishes us, in Titus 2:11-15, "For the grace of God (His unmerited favor and blessing) has come forward (appeared) for the deliverance from sin and the eternal salvation for all mankind. It has trained us to reject and renounce all ungodliness (irreligion) and worldly (passionate) desires, to live discreet (temperate, self-controlled), upright, devout (spiritually whole) lives in this present world, Awaiting and looking for the [fulfillment, the realization of our] blessed hope, even the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One), Who gave Himself on our behalf that He might redeem us (purchase our freedom) from all iniquity and purify for Himself a people [to be peculiarly His own, people who are] eager and enthusiastic about [living a life that is good and filled with] beneficial deeds. Tell [them all] these things. Urge (advise, encourage, warn) and rebuke with full authority. Let no one despise or disregard or think little of you [conduct yourself and your teaching so as to command respect]." Is this really what we are giving our attention to? It would serve us well, to remember what is in the world, namely the LUST OF THE FLESH, THE LUST OF THE EYES, and the PRIDE OF LIFE! We are not here to gratify the longings of our flesh--we often tend to think of this in sexual terms, only; but there are a whole host of flesh-gratifying things that we can engage ourselves in, lest you think because you can control (or think you can) your sexual passions, you are safe.

In Luke 12, Christ spends a lot of time teaching that our focus should be on our "soul" and not our bodies. Our minds should be turned toward Him, and others--and not "self". Look at the rich farmer (in Luke 12:15-21); he was so self-absorbed that he forgot about everything except what he could acquire for himself. From verses 17-19, he uses the pronoun "I" six times--that doesn't include his use of "my", either! After all of his gain, he found out that he had been a "fool" and his soul was required. How sad! I do not say that all Christians should be poor and always suffering lack (though Jesus said the poor you have with you always), but I am saying, that according to the Word of God, we are TOO focused on the wrong things. We cannot be earthbound by "things" and still declare that Heaven is our focus.
I have even begun to wonder if we, the Body of Christ REALLY wants to go to Heaven--or is it that we just want to avoid Hell and the Lake of Fire??!!! That is a legitimate question to ask ourselves, today. Heaven sounds wonderful to me, and I look forward to a new body, uninterrupted fellowship with God, and beauty unsurpassed! For me, that means that I am not driven to acquire any more than I NEED, personally, and to bless others. I think that when we strive to gain more (than what we need), it should always be with the thought of blessing others--not solely, to create an atmosphere of comfort and privilege for self. We have become idolatrous in our measures to acquire the things of this life.
What things are eternal? Love is at the top of the list--how much attention do we give to loving one another--is it more attention than we give to gaining "stuff", that will spoil and cease to exist? What are we really preparing ourselves for? He really IS coming back for a Church--people who recognize that they are pilgrims, passing through; people who give attention to what is everlasting. Do we plan to stay here, forever? Have we forgotten your purpose, in the earth? Do we really understand God's will for us? Do we REALLY understand that we can't take "it" with us, and the things that will remain forever, are the things we haven't given much attention to.
According to Revelation 22:12, my reward is in Heaven, not here. It is hard to be content when we are constantly finding ways to acquire more and more. "Godliness with contentment" really is "great gain"!
Finally, the Psalmist David, who had everything that any man could want, in that day, made the mistake of focusing on HIS prosperity, too. In Psalm 30:6,7, he had a lesson to learn, too. "Such complete victories had he obtained over those that opposed him, and such a confirmed interest had he in the hearts of his people, such a firmness of mind and such a strong constitution of body, that he THOUGHT his prosperity fixed like a mountain.... We are very apt to dream, when things are WELL with us, that they will ALWAYS BE SO, and never otherwise.... When we see ourselves DECEIVED in our expectations, it becomes us to reflect, with shame, upon our security, as our folly, as David does here, that we may be wiser another time and may rejoice in our prosperity as though we rejoiced not, because THE FASHION OF IT PASSETH AWAY." (Matthew Henry's Commentary). David found himself in trouble again, then he came to himself and cried unto God, and God heard him.

Why is this so important? Two reasons: We are not of this world, once we come to Christ; and the "things" that make us confident do not necessarily last--we see that with our economy, today. What happens to people who are so focused on things, when those things fail? Place your confidence in what is eternal. Keep everything in proper perspective--be thankful, and recognize that "money answereth all things"--in this world, only.
Remember, God means for us to be whole people, with a knowledge that, as His children, we are "SPIRIT, SOUL AND BODY" not body, soul and spirit ( as the world thinks). It makes a big difference, what is first. Let the inner man be priority and not that which is temporary (the body), and passes away.
Let us not be "earthlings", but creatures preparing for life eternal, in the Heavens, with God.