How can a Christian be in the world, but not of the world?

This is a question that many people out there often ask. But of a truth, the answer can only be found in the holy scriptures. The bible is the only reliable source we can safely rely on to answer this question.

Jesus said this to his beloved disciples: If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you-- John 15; 19

  In his high priestly prayer, he prayed thus: 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-- John 17; 14

What is the world, Jesus was speaking about?

A excellent author wrote this, "When we read of the "world" in the New Testament, we are reading the Greek word ''cosmos''. Cosmos most often refers to the inhabited earth and the people who live on the earth, which functions apart from God. Satan is the ruler of this "cosmos" (John 12:31; 16:11; 1 John 5:19). By the simple definition that the ''word'' world refers to a world system ruled by Satan, we can more readily appreciate Christ’s claims that believers are no longer of the world—we are no longer ruled by sin, nor are we bound by the principles of the world".

The principles which regulates the systems of the world is in direct contradiction to the teachings of the bible. The people of the world often call evil good and good evil, they are corrupt and their doctrines are not consistent with biblical truth. Apostle John wrote this by the leading of the Spirit: We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one-- 1 John 5; 19. Because the world lies in the power of the devil, that is the reason why wickedness abounds everywhere. 

We are not of the world 

We are physically present here on earth, but in reality, we are strangers and foreigners in this world. Our citizenship is in heaven, where we eagerly awaits our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. But as we are here on earth, we are called by God to be nonconformist to the patterns and standard of this world. We are not to imitate the corrupt and sinful lifestyle of those who live their lives apart from God. 

I love what apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans: And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect-- (Romans 12; 2). The Greek word for, "conform" is the word, "suschēmatizō" and it means, " to fashion alike that is conform to the same pattern”. The author is saying that as Christian's, we ought not to conform to the same patterns of this world, but we must be transformed by the renewing of our minds through daily study of God's word.

We are not of this world, we belong to another kingdom and a such, we must live and function according to it's system and principles. We are strangers and foreigners here, and we must live in a way and manner that will bring glory and honor to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We must walk in the Spirit, and the fruit of the Spirit outlined in Galatians 5; 22 must be more and more evident in our lives. There should be a vast disparity between a follower of Christ and an unconverted sinner.

We are the light of this world, for this reason, our light must shine that every one will see our good works and glorify our father in heaven, see; (Matthew 5; 16). When the people of the world sees the way you live and conduct yourself, they are likely to draw nigh to you, and you can use such opportunity to minister the gospel of Christ to them.

The people of this world are in prison, they are bound in sin and there is nothing they can do to free themselves. But we know the truth, which can lead them out of their prison, so they can be free. But of what use, if we ourselves begin to act and live like them? Before we can impact them, there must be a distinction between us and them, so our gospel can bear fruit in their lives. We must not give them an occasion for them to malign the glorious gospel of Christ, by the way we carry ourselves in this world.

Jesus Christ has bought us with his own blood, so we do not belong to ourselves, but we belong to Him who purchased us with his own precious blood. It behooves us then, to live for him and him alone. We are to walk even as he walked on this earth. All the virtues we saw in his life and ministry, we are to emulate them, for he is the model of how we are to live in this world. The good news is that Jesus is coming soon to rapture his body, the church of which I the author of this blog am a part of and eagerly anticipating that glorious day. But until then, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilements, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. God bless you

A thought to ponder 🤔 

Jesus Christ has bought us with his own blood, so we do not belong to ourselves, but we belong to Him who purchased us with his own precious blood

We defend and exposit the truth of the gospel 

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