This is part of 2 of a continuing Blog series on the subject of Christians engaging with the culture. There are several Scripture passages that give us some challenge and insight into the matter of a Christian’s place and role in the world in which they live. One of the passages comes from the book of John 17:13-18 and it is often summarized with this phrase: Christians should be “in the world, but not of the world.” If you have a Bible handy, you might take a moment to read John chapter 17, vv. 13-18. [My scripture quotes are taken from the New Living Translation SE.]
In John chapter 17 vs. 15 Jesus, praying, says of his followers, “I’m not asking you to take them out of the world . . .” In other words disciples of Jesus, quite naturally, are in this world. We live and breath and relate and work and play and function within this world.
In chapter 17 vs. 18, Jesus continues on and says, “Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world.” Again, indicating that we are in this world and that’s the way it’s supposed to be. Christians are not called to pull away from this “horrible, evil world” and huddle together in some holy place away from all the terrible people. Jesus says that he intentionally sends us into the world.
However, the distinction is that we are not of this world. “In the world, but not of the world”, is the phrase that is frequently used.
In chapter 17 vs. 14 Jesus says, “the world hates them [his followers] because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world.” We are not of this world, we are of God’s kingdom.
In chapter 17 vs. 16, this thought is reiterated when Jesus says, “They do not belong to this world any more than I do.”
Again, the short simple way that this is often put is that Christians are in the world, but not of the world. Meaning, we live in this world. We function in this world. We are sent to be salt and light to the world, however, we’re not of the world in the sense that we are a part of another kingdom—God’s kingdom—that is not of this world.
Our primary allegiance is to God and to God’s Kingdom. Our orders come from God; our values come from God; our understanding of right and wrong does not come from deep within ourselves; it comes from God. We understand the purpose of our lives as subjects to the king of all creation not to the fashions, trends, values, personalities, false idols, and illusions of this world.
So, as we consider the place of Christians and the role of Christians in the culture, one of our guiding principles to keep in mind would be that we are: in the world but not of the world.
Dan Marler
First Church of God
Oak Lawn, IL
www.VisitUsOnline.org
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