Being In the World, But Not of the World

As believers, we are not of this world. Though God has called you and I to live in this world, He has clearly stated that we are not of this world.

Our citizenship as well as our allegiance was changed on our spiritual birthdate.

Every Christian must come to terms with the truth that as God the Father sent Jesus Christ into the world to save sinners, we have been sent to the lost world to do the same.

If we forget the main reason why we are still in this world, the world will give us another reason for being here.

“Christians do not need to worry about where to be in the world. Our only concern is how to be in the world, in what form, and for what purpose.”

Matthew Henry

In order to live in this world, God expects my life to be different from the world around me. This requires that my life must be changed from the inside out.

Sanctification is an inward purifying and an outward cleansing.

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.2 Corinthians 7:1

Sanctification is the lifelong process of being less like ourselves and becoming more like Jesus Christ.

Inside-out transformation begins when the Word of God moves from the page into my daily life.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.Romans 12:1-2

The more I become like Christ the less I will be like the world, but the more I become like the world the less I will be like Christ.

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,2 Corinthians 6:14-17

Unfortunately some Christians focus too much on the separating from the world instead of being focused on being more like Christ. When your focus is on becoming more like Jesus, you will automatically set yourself apart from the world.

Separation from the world involves more than keeping our distance from sinful practices, it means staying close to God.

Abstain from all appearance of evil.1 Thessalonians 5:22

The Bible teaches us that true sanctification implies more than avoiding worldly pleasures, it extends to the stewardship of our entire life.

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;Philippians 3:10

Living a life different from the world you are living in, will always come at a high price.

The world is a friendly, tolerant, accepting, open-minded place to live until your Truth (God’s Truth) stands in opposition to their truth.

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, 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

Don’t let the world dictate what you should or shouldn’t do, keep your hearts and minds by Christ Jesus.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.Philippians 4:6-8

Make sure you not trying to live by the “power of positive thinking”, instead live in the power of a renewed mind by being in God’s Word daily.

Allow God to transform your life by taking His Word by faith and obeying it rather than justifying a life of sin/ disobedience.

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.James 1:22-25

You and I can live in the world without being of the world as we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word and with all who will trust and obey.