In The World

Read: John 17:13-19

[Jesus prayed,] “I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do.” John 17:15-16

IN WORD

“In the world but not of the world.” It’s a common description of our position as residents of this realm but citizens of another. We know we are born from above, citizens of heaven, but the world around us is very tangible, very present, and very persistent in reminding us of where we serve. Sometimes we’re enthusiastic about life in this world, and sometimes we aren’t. Sometimes it’s just oppressive.

Many Christians have resigned themselves to the perception that life in this age is all hardship and that the only joy for the believer is in looking forward to another realm. It’s an understandable point of view, but it renders the believer ineffective in this world. When we decide we must simply endure life now in order to experience true life later, we accept spiritual paralysis for the present time. This sense of escapism is tempting, but it isn’t a Kingdom attribute. We can’t give in to it.

It’s good to look forward to the fullness of the Kingdom, but we can’t afford to live with an escapist mentality. While many of us are looking forward to leaving this world to enter the Kingdom, God wants to fill us with the Kingdom and send us into the world. While we let ourselves be influenced by the world, God wants us to influence it. While we give up the battle and look for another realm, God urges us to bring another realm into the battle. We are in the world for a reason.

IN DEED

Don’t give up the battle. Don’t give in to escapist thinking. See yourself as a Kingdom outpost in hostile territory, if necessary, but certainly not in a hopeless or futile position. God hasn’t placed you where you are simply so you can look forward to going somewhere else. Yes, cling to hope in the coming Kingdom; but let the Kingdom come in you now. You are from another world, but you are living in this one. Make the most of your privileged position.

ADDITIONAL READING: John 18:36-37

The church’s mission in the world is absolutely dependent on its being different from the world.

JIM WALLIS