Not of This World

Scripture: John l7:l4-l5..."I have given them Your Word; and the
world has hated them because they are not of the world even as
I Am not of the world. I do not pray that you should take them
out of the world but that you keep them from the evil one.
Believers in Christ are simply in the world - physically present
- but not of it, not part of its values (John l7:l4-l5). As believers,
we should be set apart from the world. This is the meaning of
being holy and living a holy, righteous life - to be set apart unto
God. We are not to engage in the sinful activities the world
promotes, nor are we to retain the corrupt mindset that the
world creates. Rather, we are to conform ourselves, and our
minds, to that of Christ Jesus...Romans l2:l-2. This requires a
daily activity in our lives as well as total commitment.

We must also realize that being in the world but not of the
world is necessary if we are to be a 'light' to those who are in
spiritual darkness. We are to live in such a way that those
outside the faith see our good deeds and our manner and know
that there is something different about us. Christians who make
every effort to live, think, and act like those who do not know
Christ do Him a great disservice. Even the heathen knows that
'by their fruits you shall know them' And, as Christians, we
should surrender our hearts totally to Christ so we would exhibit
the fruit of the Spirit who dwells within us to a lost and hurting
world.

Being 'in' the world also means we can enjoy the beauty of
the world, but we are not to immerse ourselves in the world's
sinful ways or chase after worldly pleasures. Pleasure is no
longer our calling in life, as it once was, but rather living the
love-filled life of surrender to Christ and in the worship of His
Name by our actions, words, and
deeds. Amen.

The Wilderness Preacher