Can We Really Live in the World and Not Be of the World?

I think we basically left off from yesterday’s discussion agreeing that yes we can live in the world but not be of the world.

We understand that Jesus wants us to be sanctified, set apart as holy. We also understand that we have a mission. However, in carrying out that mission, we must not go it alone. We cannot go it alone. Because the enemy is out there as a predator, seeking to pounce on us as God’s ambassadors, to try to tempt us and sway us into doing wrong.

So we agreed that we must be prayed up. We must stay in God. We must remain focused. 

I want to reiterate one of the scriptures I touched on, where Jesus specifically prayed for His disciples, acknowledging the challenges they will face as they continued His mission in the world.

John 17:14-17 ESV “I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”

Jesus gave His disciples the Word, His teachings and revealed to them who God is. So, the disciples were now in a different class, so to speak, to those in the world, and the world hated them for that. 

When we talk about the "world" here, it’s not necessarily a person or persons, but the system of human society that is rebelling against God. So, as Jesus was rejected by the world, His disciples also faced rejection and persecution. 

Similarly, as Christians today, we are for the most part ostracised, or people don’t take us seriously, or they plainly do not want to hear The Gospel. 

But as with the disciples, we are on a mission and God’s work must be accomplished. If not me, then who? If not you, then who? As we say, when God wants to accomplish something, He will find the right person. Amen?!

So as we go out into the world, we remain cognisant of the fact that we cannot adopt the ways of the world. The world must see a difference in us. They must see Jesus in us and want to know more about why we talk like we talk, why we dress like we dress, why we don’t go to certain places. Amen?!

That’s why it is important for us to be prayed up. 

Also very importantly, we have to know the truth of God. We have to be confident that God is who He says He is. We have to have faith in 

the power of God’s Word to transform and set apart His followers for the mission ahead. 

A couple of factors we have to keep in mind when we think about being in the world and not of the world.

1. We Must be Separate from the World.

The disciples, and by extension all believers, are called to live in the world but not adopt its sinful ways.

2 Corinthians 6:17-18, “Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.””

James 4:4 “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”

  

2. We are on a Mission.

Note carefully that Jesus did not ask for the disciples to be removed from the world. The mission was far too important for that to happen. This mission is in the world, so we have to be where the mission field is. 

But instead of carousing with the people of the world and conforming to the systems of the world, we are to be confirmers of the Word to the people of the world, introducing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone we meet.

Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Philippians 2:15-16 “that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.”

1 Peter 2:9  “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

3. We are Protected. 

How many of us know that spiritual warfare is a real, real thing? Hands up. I am just learning that. 

If we are really on a path of spiritual purity, we would have faced this type of warfare. Truth be told, I have been in this war for longer than I actually realised. And maybe that is your reality.

Jesus' prayer for protection from the evil one underscores the reality of spiritual warfare. 

Even in the Lord’s prayer, we find this appeal for God to protect us from the evil one: Matthew 6:13. And we are told in James 4:7 that if we submit ourselves to God and resist the devil, the devil will flee from us. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 tells us the Lord is faithful to establish us and guard us against the evil one. 1 Peter 5:8 warns us to be sober minded and watchful, as the adversary the devil prowls around life a roaring lion, seeking who he may devour.

But glory to God, Ephesians 6:11-12 gives us this great advice on how to be protected. “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

4. How can we live in the world and not be of the world? Be Sanctified by the Word.

James 1:21 “Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”

The process of being made holy is called sanctification. It is rooted in the truth of God’s Word, which guides, teaches, and transforms believers. 

If we are to effectively carry out our mission, we must be sanctified. We must be citizens of heaven, governed by the principles of love, holiness, and truth.

Our mission is to represent Christ in all we do, to shine His light in the darkness, and to draw others to Him.

2 Corinthians 5:20 “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us...”

So in conclusion, we recognise that the attraction of the world is strong. However, we must not be influenced to follow the crowd.

1 Peter 1:15-16 15 “but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

As children of God, we must be holy, we must be set apart, we must be different in the way we think, speak, and act. Come what may, we are called to follow Christ every step of the way.

Amen.

aub - 27Aug24

www.zjoyvi.com