Being In the World but Not of the World

Jeremy Northrop

            In John 15:19 Jesus said, “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” This is one of those passages which are relatively easy to cognitively understand but so much harder to apply to everyday life. All people who are alive live in the world. It is impossible to function without having relationships with people who are of the world. Also, Satan is tempting Christians on every side to try to persuade them to partake in things of the world. He can make the things of the world look so incredibly good when, in fact, they are detrimental to souls.

            It is, however, possible to live in the world but not be of the world. If it was not, Jesus would not have called all Christians out of the world. Therefore, the passage in John 15:19 is worthy of consideration and thought. How do Christians live a life which shows the world they are not of the world? In essence, how do Christians let their light shine? (see Matthew 5:16).

            A person who is of the world is a person who is involved in sin. In Luke 12, the Bible tells of Judas who was very concerned with money. He was placed in charge of the treasury box and wanted to collect more money so that he could keep some back for himself. The text says he did not care for those who needed the money. Luke 22 records how Judas betrayed his Lord for only 30 pieces of silver. The end of Judas was regret and remorse to the point that he took his own life. The end of a life that is of the world is spiritual death just as sure as it was for Judas.

            Another biblical example of people who are of the world is the couple Ananias and Sapphira. In Acts 5, the Bible records how they sold their house and kept some of the money for themselves but lied to Peter and consequently the Holy Spirit saying they gave all the money from the sale of their home to the work of the church. They lost their lives and souls for their sin and today, people who are of this world will lose their own souls. It is clear that a person consumed with thoughts of money is a person who is of the world. No wonder Paul said to Timothy: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1Timothy 6:10).

            The devil can make money and sin look so enticing. 1John 2:16 says, “For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world.” Any sin will fall into one of the three categories mentioned in 1John 2:16. It will either be the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, or the pride of life.

            There are two good examples which the Bible uses to prove this point. First, in Genesis 3:6 the Bible says, “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.” Eve saw that the fruit was good for food — this is lust of the flesh. Eve saw that the fruit was pleasant to the eyes — this is lust of the eyes. Finally, she wanted to be as wise as Satan had told her eating of the tree would do — this is the pride of life. In Matthew 4, Jesus is tempted by Satan three times. Satan tempted Christ to make the stones bread — lust of the flesh. Satan tempted Jesus to throw Himself down and even quotes scriptures — lust of the eyes. Finally, Satan tempted the Lord by offering Him all that He surveyed — this was the pride of life. All sin and temptation which is in the world falls into one of John’s three categories.

            Sin is also very, very addictive. This might be easy to comprehend in light of the substance abuse which is in the world. However, the nature of sin itself is addictive. The prodigal son of Luke 15 shows such to be the case. Modern day examples might include the gambling addict, obsessive compulsive disorders, and other such behavioral concerns. The beginning of these habits might make a person popular in the eyes of the world, but the end is death. The saddest part of being in the world is being lost — spiritually lost — without God.

            Jesus calls His people out of the world. Luke 15 records the parable of the lost sheep. It teaches that each individual one is important to God. When just one person heeds the call to follow God, there is joy in Heaven (Luke 15:7). Each individual person is important to God. Jesus calls people out of the world to a better life, to a better reward, and to a loving God. Today, there are many people who need to follow after the call.

            A good word to describe Christians is the word sanctified. Jesus, in His prayer in John 17, speaks of how His followers are sanctified. Titus describes Christian as a “special people” in Titus 2:14. There are things which Jesus has called Christians to do while they live in the world. The kind of life they live, however, is one that is not of the world. The kind of life they live is of God.

            This means that the people of the world might hate the Christians who are in the world. Again, this should come as no surprise as the Bible teaches such. John said, “Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you” (1John 3:13). Paul said, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2Timothy 3:12). Peter said: “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter” (1Peter 4:16). If Christians are going to be sanctified by God, then they will be hated by those of the world.

            Being called out of the world means living different from the world. Paul said, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2). Again, Paul said Christians are a special people (Titus 2:14).

            The best part is that being called out of the world means be saved from sin. Jesus prayed that all Christians would be given the ability to live in such a way that they are not of the world. Being called out of the world means being right with God. It is truly a blessing to be in the world but not of the world.