2. "grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord"
2 Peter 3:18

3. Unspotted From the World
“Pure and undefiled religion…is this…to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” Jas. 1:27
Introduction
Christians must put first things first: Matt. 6:33
Spiritual growth is a must and requires “giving all diligence” : 1 Pet. 2:2; 2 Pet. 1:3-11
But we live in a world shot through and through with worldliness: 1 Cor. 6:9-11
We must heed James’ admonition concerning worldliness: Jas. 1:27

4. Unspotted From the World
"grow in the grace
and knowledge
of the Lord"
2 Peter 3:18
Unspotted From the World
“Pure and undefiled religion…is this…to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” Jas. 1:27

5. Unspotted From the World
“Pure and undefiled religion…is this…to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” Jas. 1:27
1. Understanding worldliness
Thayer:
“Worldly affairs; the aggregate of things earthly; the whole circle of goods, endowments, advantages, pleasures, etc., which although hollow and frail and fleeting, stir desire, seduce from God and are obstacles to the cause of Christ.”
Worldliness is over emphasis on the things of the world; over emphasis on temporal things.
Worldliness includes things morally neutral; but we give them more time than we do God.
Worldliness is deceiving! Like politicians it promises much, but delivers very little! Heb. 11:25; Jas. 1:12-15
Worldliness is dangerous! Jas. 4:4

6. Unspotted From the World
“Pure and undefiled religion…is this…to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” Jas. 1:27
2. The Christian’s relationship with the world
We must not love the world! Jas. 4:4; 1 Jn. 2:15-17
It starts with our attitude: Matt. 5:6; 13:45-46; 6:33; Col. 3:1-3
No friendship with the world! Jas. 4:4; Matt. 6:24; 1 Cor. 5:9-10; 15:33
Cannot be “conformed” to the world: Rom. 12:1-2; Phil. 2:15-16a; Jas. 1:27; Eph. 5:27
Cannot allow the cares of this world to get in our way: Matt. 13:22; 1 Tim. 6:6-10, 17; Psa. 128:2; 1 Tim. 5:8; Eph. 4:28; Eccl. 2:11; 1 Pet. 2:11

7. Unspotted From the World
“Pure and undefiled religion…is this…to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” Jas. 1:27
3. The world’s attitude toward the Christian
True Christians are really different from people of the world! 1 Pet. 4:3-4
People of the world hate the light and, thus, hate true Christians: 1 Jn. 3:13; Jn. 3:19-21
Don’t be surprised if you become a social outcast from your worldly friends: Jn. 15:20
We cannot compromise! We can’t play both sides of the fence! Jas. 4:4; Lk. 9:62; Matt. 10:37; 2 Tim. 4:10

8. Unspotted From the World
“Pure and undefiled religion…is this…to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” Jas. 1:27
4. True joy is in Christianity, not worldliness
God knows better than we do how to best enjoy life: Eccl. 7:29; Gen. 3; Jn. 10:10; 1 Jn. 5:3
God is not a tyrant ordering us around to build up His ego; His commands prove this:
Always possible: Psa. 103:13-14; 1 Cor. 10:13; Heb. 13:20-21
Always understandable: Gen. 2:2-3; Psa. 119:130; Isa. 35:8
Always gracious: Jas 1:17; Deut. 10:13; Ezek. 33:11
At best, sin’s pleasures are temporary, while Christianity is enduring: 1 Tim. 4:7-8; 6:6; 2 Tim. 4:6-8
What truly defines you? What is your life about? Eccl. 12:13-14

9. Unspotted From the World
“Pure and undefiled religion…is this…to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” Jas. 1:27
Conclusion
Life is simple…two choices…God or the world.
But those choices have consequences, temporal and eternal: Rom. 2:8-9; Heb. 11:25; Jas. 1:12
Which have you chosen? Are you keeping yourself “unspotted from the world” ? Josh. 24:15