EDITORIAL

Leave the world behind!

... What does it mean to leave the world behind? This is not a matter of outward things, that is whether we do—or abstain from doing—one or the other thing. The important thing for God is that which occupies our hearts. And here it is important that we renounce the ungodly nature in order that we can have our own ascension.

“What is ungodly nature?” First of all, the “world” and “ungodly nature” is present when we have other idols beside the Lord. Even in our time, the commandment still applies: “I am the Lord, your God. You shall have no other gods before Me.” What sorts of other gods might there be? Even in our lives there are certain things that seek to take first place and become part of the very fibre of our lives: various interests, inclinations, and various things that we cherish and are important to us. Let us strive to ensure that there are no other gods or idols in our hearts besides the Lord and always accord Him the first place. Let us leave the world behind by staying away from such idols and by making the Lord the focal point of our lives.

The arrogance of our time is also part of this ungodly nature, namely when we think we can manage our lives without God. Let us always recognise our need. Let us always see that we need grace. Let us always see to it that we do not become arrogant and think that we are so great in the eyes of God. We leave the world behind when we do not give any room in our hearts to such arrogance. A similar characteristic of our time, which can also be associated with the world, is to think we have already earned a certain claim to the kingdom of heaven through our conduct. The thought that we can handle things ourselves and do not need the Lord is an attitude that goes hand in hand with this world. Let us leave this behind and trust in the Lord ...

more from Chief Apostle Wilhelm Leber’s “Editorial” in Our Family No. 5 / May 2012, and see the website of NAC International Word of the month  (Photo by Stefan Ahrendt / fotolia)