I am Who You Say I Am¨ Series Part Two: To be in the world but not of the world

Upon reading the title, I can imagine the induced skepticism that one might experience. Let's be honest the topic of discussion might sound ludicrous, how can someone be in the “world” but not of it? 

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The term world has to be interpreted as a physical entity inhabited by living organisms and on a biblical perspective, this being the immoral desires of human civilization. The book of first John, chapter two and verses fifteen to seventeen {1 John 2: 15-17} regarding the Open Bible provides a vivid explanation of the term “world” in its biblical perspective. 
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Do not love the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world- the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions- is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

This does not mean that we should not love the world for its physical attributes but to deny oneself of yielding to temptations disguised as righteous pleasures. 

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Albeit this is easier written than done. As human beings, one of our desires is to fit in and to be accepted. It is uncommon for us to want to be different, to be separated from our peers and those around us. But as believers, we have that calling to be different. No matter how much we try to resist this calling, no matter how much we try to indulge in the things of the world, the result is always the same. Do you remember that feeling of guilt, the shame that resided, the boredom that began to weigh, the feeling of emptiness that overthrew joy and took its place? 

The world was never made to be our home, but instead, a temporary residence until our final destination was fully prepared.

​First Peter two verse eleven {1 Peter 2 verse 11}, according to the New Living Translation, reminds us of this:

​Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage against your very souls.

​As believers, we know that our place here on earth is temporary, but while we are here on earth the temptations of our flesh increase daily, so how do we live in the world but not of the world? How do we interact with unbelievers without being influenced and drawn astray by their beliefs?  Does it mean that we must isolate ourselves from the people and things around us? Does it mean that we turn a blind eye to what we consider too immoral or sinful and participate in what we justify to be okay? How do we fulfil the mission God has called us to do and still maintain a relationship with those around us and most importantly gain their acceptance? My answer to this would be to use Jesus’s examples in Mark 2 verse 16 – 17 and John 17 verse14 – 18.

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 Mark 2: 16-17
 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, how is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, they that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

John 17: 14-18
I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.

​In these two scriptures zeroing on Mark, it shows that Jesus still set the example of being in the world and not of the world. He dined with sinners and publicans, not to follow their principles, but to impart the true way of life and positively influence those around him (with the right principles). The book of John chapter 17 and the verses highlighted above compliment the book of Mark chapter two in which Jesus says ‘As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.' In sending us, his servants, into the world, it is not to be apart of worldly principles, but to impart the truth that we have gained through our relationship with Christ and his holy word. Now we must realize that as believers we will never be accepted by worldly people (people who willingly give in to their desires, actively deny the truth of Christ and refuse to repent from their sins). The bible tells us this in John 17 verse 14 ‘I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.' 

​This scripture is not to discourage us or force us to be afraid of others but to remind us that Jesus has been through this and will go through it (the hatred and persecution) with us.

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Jesus continues to guide and pray for us in John 17 verses 15 – 21, “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.  They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.  Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.  For them, I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. My prayer is not for them alone. I pray too for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”

Keep on reading to learn more to help you be more like a jewel on God´s crown
¨ The LORD their God will save his people on that day as a shepherd saves his flock. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown.¨ Zechariah 9:16 NIV
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Author

Tyrese Edmond