In the World, But Not of the World

A Call to Distinction

In the World, But Not of the World

A Call to Distinction

In the prayer recorded in John 17:14-16, Jesus, speaking to the Father, made a clear distinction between His disciples and the world. He said, "I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." In these verses, we find a profound teaching on the Christian's place in the world and the necessity of maintaining a clear separation in conduct, thought, and allegiance.

The Context of the Prayer

In John 17, often referred to as the High Priestly Prayer, Jesus prayed for His disciples, knowing that the hour of His betrayal and crucifixion was imminent. He acknowledged the hatred of the world toward His followers because of their allegiance to Him and their adherence to His Word. Jesus understood that the world, governed by sinful desires and a rejection of divine truth, would oppose His disciples just as it had opposed Him. But He did not ask the Father to remove them from the world. Instead, He asked for their protection from the evil in the world. This dual focus—remaining in the world but being protected from its evils—illustrates the careful balance the Christian must maintain.

Living in the World

Christians, by necessity, live and move in the world. They work, engage in social and civic responsibilities, and interact with those who do not share their faith. The apostle Paul, writing to the Philippians, commanded them to be "blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world" (Philippians 2:15). The Christian's place in the world is to live in such a way that he or she reflects the light of Christ, standing as a beacon of truth in the darkness.

Engagement with the world is not forbidden. Indeed, Paul exhorted Christians to fulfill their obligations to government (Romans 13:1) and to work "heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men" (Colossians 3:23). The Christian's life in the world must be lived with integrity and in obedience to God's commands, thereby demonstrating the distinction between the children of light and the children of darkness.

Not of the World

While Christians live in the world, they are called to be distinct from it. The apostle John, writing under inspiration, warned believers to "love not the world, neither the things that are in the world" (1 John 2:15). The world, with its lusts, pride, and rebellion against God, is passing away. Christians must resist the temptation to conform to worldly values and practices. Instead, they are called to "be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2).

To be "not of the world" means that Christians are set apart in their values, their pursuits, and their ultimate hope. Their citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20), and they await the return of their Lord. They cannot allow themselves to be swept away by the materialism, immorality, and godlessness that characterize so much of the world. The Christian must walk in holiness, as Peter wrote, "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy" (1 Peter 1:15-16).

The Necessity of Maintaining Distinction

The challenge for the Christian lies in maintaining this distinction while still engaging with the world. Some, fearing the influence of the world, have chosen to isolate themselves completely from it. But this is not what the Lord desires. He prayed that His disciples would remain in the world, as it is within the world that they are to bear witness to the truth. The Great Commission requires interaction with the lost, for Jesus commanded, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15).

However, there must be a clear line of demarcation. Christians must not "walk as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind" (Ephesians 4:17). Their conduct, speech, and priorities must reflect their heavenly calling. The apostle Paul reminded the Corinthians that "the fashion of this world passeth away" (1 Corinthians 7:31). Thus, Christians must invest their time, energy, and affections in things that are eternal rather than the fleeting pleasures of a world destined for destruction.

Practical Considerations

How then can the Christian maintain this balance? First, the Christian must be grounded in the Word of God. Jesus said, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth" (John 17:17). The Word of God provides the standard by which the Christian discerns right from wrong and determines how to live in a world that often opposes biblical values. Regular study and meditation on the Scriptures are essential for remaining untainted by the world.

Second, the Christian must cultivate a life of prayer. In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Paul exhorted believers to "pray without ceasing." Through prayer, Christians find the strength to resist temptation and the wisdom to navigate the complexities of living in the world. Jesus, in the same prayer in John 17, sought the Father's protection for His disciples. We too must rely on God's providential care and guidance in our daily lives.

Finally, Christians must seek fellowship with other believers. The Christian life is not meant to be lived in isolation. As members of the body of Christ, Christians draw strength and encouragement from one another (Hebrews 10:25). Fellowship with other believers helps to keep one accountable and provides mutual support in resisting the pressures of the world.

Conclusion

To be "in the world, but not of the world" is the Christian's continual challenge. Jesus, in His wisdom, did not call for His disciples to withdraw from the world, but neither did He leave them to conform to it. Instead, He prayed for their protection and sanctification. The Christian today must live with this same mindset—engaged with the world yet distinct from it, shining as a light in the midst of darkness, holding fast to the Word of God, and awaiting the return of the Lord. Let us then strive to live as faithful disciples, fulfilling our mission in the world while maintaining our allegiance to the kingdom of heaven.