Intoxicating

Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
— Matthew 20:28

But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
— Galatians 6:14

I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
— Psalm 40:8

Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
— 2 Thessalonians 2:16

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
— John 1:5

He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
— John 12:40

What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.
— Romans 11:7

But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
— 2 Corinthians 3:14

He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
— Ecclesiastes 3:11

He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
— Matthew 13:22

If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
— John 15:19

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. 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.
— 1 John 2:15-16

Intoxicating to the Unregenerate Heart, by Horatius Bonar. The following contains an excerpt from his work, “Bible Thoughts & Themes,” or, “Light and Truth.”

Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
Galatians 1:4

This world is evil, yet it is fair to look upon, with its pleasures, its gaieties, its riches, its glories, its pomps, its glitter, its songs, its magnificent palaces, its gorgeous array.

This world is intoxicating to the unregenerate heart!

This world’s religion is decked out in its beauty of temple, picture, statue, and image of every kind.

The world’s wisdom is seen in its astronomy, its natural science, its mechanical arts, its architecture, its skill in ornament, with all fascinations for the natural man, all stimulants for the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life.

All natural knowledge, natural beauty, natural progress, are here. Intellect, power, greatness, pomp, splendor—all are here in the world. We loved this present evil world, and delighted in its vanities—it was the home of our hearts. But God called us out of this evil world. With His own almighty voice He called us. We could not but obey—it was irresistible. Hence He made us willing in the day of his power.

‘He died for our sins, just as God our Father planned—in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live.’ Galatians 1:4

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