Have You Forgot?
Exodus 1:13-14
"And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour: And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour."
The world has nothing to offer but hard times. I fear too many Christians forget what the world did to them before they got saved and go back to it only to experience the heartache that they came out of. Egypt is a type of the world. In the verses above, God tells us what Egypt did to the children of Israel. What Egypt did to Israel is the same as what the world will do to every person. We must be careful not to forget what the world did.
Let me ask you, have you forgotten the cruelty of the world? The word "rigour" means cruelty. The world's service is always cruel to those who serve it. If you don't believe me, just look at Hollywood and the rock musicians who serve the world and see for yourself how cruel the world is to people. Drugs, alcohol and family violence are the result of the world's cruelty. Don't every forget the pain the world's lifestyle caused you. It has nothing to offer but a cruel lifestyle.
Have you forgotten the bitterness of the world? It says that Egypt "made their lives bitter." There is nothing that will leave you more bitter than the world. Many people come to mind who wouldn't listen to the Word of God and lived a worldly lifestyle only to see the end of that lifestyle leave them bitter. Naomi left the land of blessings to come back a bitter woman. Samson left the will of God to end up in bitterness as he ground the corn in the prison cell. Christian, the world will bring you temporary happiness, but it will leave you with lifelong bitterness.
Have you forgotten the bondage of the world? The children of Israel were not free to do as they pleased, because they were in bondage to Egypt. Likewise, the world will bind you with the cords of sin and control you. If you are honest with yourself, every sin the world has to offer has ropes that will bind and control you. Don't forget how the vices of this world may bring temporary highs, but they always leave you bound to their command.
Have you forgotten the world's carelessness? It says in the verse above, "...they made them serve, was with rigour." The world doesn't care for you. The world only cared for the prodigal when he had something to offer, but when he had nothing they forsook him. Likewise, the world could care less about you when you are empty. Don't forget that it was God Who cared for you when you were in life's gutter. The world left you to die, but God was the One Who cared and rescued you.
Christian, why would you want to go back to the world? If you go back to the world, it will treat you the same way it treated you before you came out. Don't have a short-term memory about the world's treatment, rather remember how they left you. Stay away from the world and its offers, for they will only bring you heartache. Young person, learn from those who have experienced the pain of the world. Don't think you are better than they. Always remember that God is the only One Who can give you the joy and freedom that you desire. Don't forget!