The Apostle John introduces us, in his first, epistle to three phrases of importance. "the lust of the flesh", "the lust of the eyes" and "the pride of life".

It seems to be that John is trying to say, "If wrong MORALS don't get you then MATERIALISM or ME-ISM will.

John makes it quite definite that he is speaking of the things of the world, yet may we observe for a moment that it is the lust of the flesh, lust of the eye and pride of life that are giving the Christian community fits these days.

Today it is the adulterous relationship that is hurting Christianity in America.

Today it is the improper thought life that is hurting Christianity in America.

Today it is the reading of wrong types of magazines that is hurting Christianity in America.

Today it is the premarital sex that is hurting Christianity in America.

It's the "THINGS" that sidetrack Christians today.

It's the "CARS" that sidetrack Christians today.

It's the "MONEY" that sidetracks Christians today.

It's the "EDUCATION" that sidetracks Christians today.

It's the "HOUSE" that sidetracks Christians today.

It's the "KNOWLEDGE ABOUT GOD" that sidetracks Christians today.

It's the "WANTING OF THINGS WE DON'T HAVE" that sidetracks Christians today. (May we say that this affects both rich and poor?)

Are not the attitudes in our way of life a problem?

"I'm a Bible College graduate, bow before me.

I'm the husband, bow before me.

I am woman, bow before me.

I'm the pastor, bow before me.

I'm a theologian, bow before me.

I'm spiritual, bow before me.

I'm rich, bow before me.

Though the following quote speaks of secular history it applies well to our spiritual history. "We are a product of the questions we asked in the past." I do not know the source of this quote though it is quite appropriate.

In response to questions asked, we Christians have made decisions based on information gathered to answer these questions. We are a product of decisions we made in the past.

When we see pastors and Christian workers talking of "PAY PACKAGES", when we see pastors, evangelists and laymen entering into adultery, when we see people constantly talking and thinking about sex, when we see Christians living together, when we see people knowledgeable about God but not of God, when we see the pastoral/layman gap widen, when we see the uplifting of certain "leaders" and when we see so much trouble in the churches, we must wonder what decisions to what questions that were made and asked have brought the Christian community to where it is today.

Let us consider a few questions that may have been ask in the past that evolved into some poor decisions.

1. Are there areas where the Word is neither black nor white? The gray area discussion.

2. Is the Word our rule for faith and practice and life? Faith and practice of the church? Certainly! For life? Maybe, seems to be the answer from many today.

3. If I want to do something is it okay? It is reported that over 3/4 of people polled believe adultery is wrong yet over 1/2 of those same people were involved in adulterous situations. They don't practice what they believe do they? Some would defend by saying that this was a secular poll and that it was, however among some Christians taken in adultery, counselors are finding that the person being counseled feels that there was nothing wrong in what they did. This is even a step further than the world has gone.

4. Are lists of "DO'S AND DON'TS" wrong? Watch your answer and check out the Law of Moses before you answer. Also check out Paul's do's and don'ts as well - yet anyone that has "DO'S AND DON'TS" is labeled a "LEGALIST".

To what conclusions might we come?

1. We need to look at the questions asked by the church twenty years ago, examine the answers that were followed and contemplate the results we see today.

IS RE-EVALUATION NEEDED?

2. An Archbishop of the Roman Church that had been excommunicated for his beliefs responded to Rome, "You may have the buildings but we have the faith."

Today Christianity has the buildings, the trappings, the facade, the pretense and the outward appearance of true spirituality, but do we have the faith?

That simple faith that Paul describes so easily and so well? That simple faith that leads to RIGHTEOUS LIVING?

3. Dare we observe that the "do's and don'ts" of the past that have been sifted through the term "LEGALISM" have become the "DO AS YOU LIKE'S" of the 1980's Christian community.

Does John's simple statement NOW concern you?

"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."

May we conclude the following and dwell upon our conclusions?

1. It is the clean thought life that honors God and builds up the Christian.

2. It is proper living that honors God and builds up the Christian.

3. It is being satisfied with what you have that honors God and builds up the Christian.

4. It is the knowledge OF God that honors God and builds up the Christian.

5. It is the servant attitude that honors God and builds up the Christian.

6. It is the proper view of Scripture and it's relationship to your life that honors God and builds up the Christian.

7. It is the spiritual walk that honors God and builds up the Christian.

"THE GAME OF LIFE"? No life is serious business to God. We must concentrate upon the fact that the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life are OF THE WORLD!

These are the tools of Satan to bring down the Saint, not the menu for Christian living!

As we enter into life's situations may we run that situation through our minds eye and strain it through I John 2:15-17 and find out if it is spiritual or worldly.