Unworthy Pursuits
Life in this world is a measured opportunity to accomplish something significant, something specific, something eternally designed by God. It is not the opportunity to promote yourself or to prove that you are something extraordinary. The “pride of life” mentioned by John seems to refer to such an inner aberration of thinking. It is the desire to achieve a status of significance in the temporal world.
The arena of finances and possessions lure many believers into the pride of life. A name plaque in the Wall Street and Forbes hall of fame is guaranteed to the man who builds the greatest business, largest warehouse, and biggest bank account. Bentleys, boats, and mansions on acres wait for you to claim them. Even if your goals are not this high, you are not innocent. Whether you are pursuing triple digits or millions, Bentleys or Buicks, condos or mansions, it’s all the same. The pride of life manifests itself on many different levels.
The development of talents and abilities offer another arena for the pursuit of significance. Athletes compete for trophies, championships, and contracts. Musicians jockey for notoriety and top hits. Scholars vie for degrees and chair positions, politicians for power and influence, actors for blockbuster roles, and authors for best-sellers. All of these goals promise recognition and accomplishment. They provide goals that seem tangible and give artificial purpose to life.
But the applause, awards, recognition and status are only temporal. They decay and perish with the world. Consequently, these pursuits are not worthy of a Christian. Consider Alexander the Great, who wept as a young man because he had no more lands to conquer (Mk. 8:36). Sadly, he allowed the pride of life to govern his life in this world, and he came up empty. Sometimes I wonder what he could have accomplished if he had pursued eternal goals instead?
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory (Col. 3:2-4).
Print
