The City of Man: Temporary and Tempting

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The city of man is the world outside of Christ. Unlike the everlasting kingdom of heaven (or, as it is also called, the kingdom of God), the city of man is temporal. It doesn’t last, so be careful not to set your mind and heart on it. While Christians live among those belonging to the city of man in this world, they are set apart by God in Christ as eternal citizens of the city of God.

The so-called treasures of the city of man may tempt us, but they do not last.

For example, in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus uses the metaphor of treasures to contrast the world, the temporal city of man, with heaven, the eternal city of God:

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt. 6:19-21)

This world has no trouble grabbing our attention and trying to convince us it is full of treasures—this lure is all around us and constantly before our eyes. One problem, though, is that the things—the so-called treasures—of this world do not last. Moth and rust destroy them. Thieves steal them. We die and another inherits our possessions and wealth, and we have no idea if they will use it wisely or not (Eccl. 2:18-19).

Even by our own experience we know this is true. Our favorite things wear out. Our cherished memories fade away, and when we go back and visit the places that helped form them, nothing is the same. Though we long for things that last, such as friends who are there forever and a legacy with permanent benefits for others, it is all temporary. The city of man doesn’t last:

And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:17)

As citizens of the city of God, believers are to live by the will of God in this world.

In contrast, we learn from Scripture how we are to live in the here and now among those belonging to the city of man—by the will of God:

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (Col. 3:1-3)

We are to set our minds on things above—heavenly things. These things—God himself, his will, and the glories of heaven for all those whose lives are hidden in Christ Jesus through faith forever—should occupy the mind and heart of the believer. We are to seek to do God’s will—loving him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and loving each other as ourselves (Matt. 22:36-40).

Laying up treasures in heaven means setting aside our sinful desires for earthly treasures—the things of this life that do not last. We are to set aside what is earthly in us: “sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry” (Col. 3:5), and “anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from our mouths” (Col. 3:8). The Lord wants us to be clothed with “compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience” (Col. 3:12). We are to be forgiving just as God has forgiven us in Christ Jesus: “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony” (Col. 3:14).

How we spend our time is a reflection of the city upon which our gaze is fixed.

But none of this is easy. The world, which is under the influence of Satan, and our own desires assault us every moment. It is easy to succumb to the temptations of the temporal city of man. How we spend our time is telling—we have choices to make. Is our time spent on what is temporary or what is eternal—materialism or the Word of God? Consumption for ourselves or helping another person in need? Feeding our eyes with the lusts of this world (e.g., 1 John 2:16) or closing our devices for a time of prayer? Do we look to our own strength to raise our heart and mind to things above, or do we look to God and trust him to graciously give us the strength?

It is the word of God, Holy Scripture, that is the means God the Holy Spirit uses to raise our hearts and minds to heaven, to God himself. It is the power of the Spirit of God working through his word that brings us to the eternal and everlasting truth of who God is and how he saves his children from this sinful and temporary home and brings us to our eternal home in heaven. Just as Abraham looked to the heavenly city whose designer and builder is God (Heb. 11:10), we also look away from the city of man and fix our gaze on the city of God.

And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:17)

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This article was originally published in Beautiful Christian Life’s October 2024 monthly newsletter, “The City of Man.”

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• The City of Man: Without God and Without Hope
• What Is the Kingdom of God?
• What If You’re Wrong About What Happens After You Die?
• Why Nothing Will Stop Jesus from Building His Church
• Why Did Jesus Compare God’s Kingdom to a Mustard Seed and Leaven?

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