Paul was telling the church people of that day that the Lord was saying it was time for the church to act like Christians and not be worldly. This isn't about how they looked, but how they lived. It wasn't about what they said with their lips, but what they did with their lives. It is the same today. God is still telling the Christians to be more Christ-like and less worldly. Again, this isn't about hair length, clothes, or outward appearance. It is a matter of the heart. When the heart is right, the other things will fall into place the way they should.
"But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7).
God knows the intent of our hearts. He knows what we think, what our inner attitudes are. He knows our struggles and whether we are trying to change or not. He knows us better than we know ourselves. Now, we know that God forgives us when we ask Him to. We know that Jesus died on the cross for our sins. We know that if we confess our sins and confess that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God that we will be saved and our sins will be forgiven. This is awesome news and makes us rejoice and be thankful. However;
We should not take this grace and mercy for granted. It is not something to take lightly. We should not live haphazard lives, casually going about our day giving into sin when we get the urge to. We should not sin just because we can later ask forgiveness.
"What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid." (Romans 6:15).
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? (Romans 6:1-2).
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. (Romans 6:12).
When we live a lifestyle of sin, we are separated from God and are friends with the world. We can't live a worldly life and be in harmony with God. It's one or the other. It can't be both.
"know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." (James 4:4).
"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." ( 1 John 2:15).
So, are you living to please the people around you? Are you living to please yourself? Are you indulging in sin to satisfy your fleshly desires? Are you living carelessly with no regard for eternity? If so, you are living in the world. According to this passage, if you love the things of the world, God's love is not in you. You can change that today. Turn to the Lord. Follow His ways. Love Him. Serve Him. Say no to the things of the flesh. Say no to sin. Repent from sin. Turn from sinful ways. Then you will be full of God's love and He will be your God.
So, check your heart and ask yourself, "What in the world am I doing?"
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