In the World, but Not Of It

“I do not pray that you should take them out of the world, but that you should keep them from the evil one” – John 17:15

Have you ever wondered what Jesus meant by “in the world but not of it?”  Are you in world?  Have you been able to stay untainted from the world?

Growing up I rejected Christianity due to the fact that I did not see its relevance in the real world.  The Christians I knew seemed to be so heavenly-minded that they were no earthly good and those who were relevant to real life seemed to be no different from me.  Their actions seemed to contradict the very gospel they preached.  I wonder how many people reject Christ everyday for the same reasons I did.

In December 1994 something happened, I met a Christian business man who reached out to me in a way I could relate to.  He demonstrated authentic Christianity and introduced me to the Gospel. My life has never been the same.  I would have never met that Christian businessman had he not come into my world; I would have not met Christ at that time.  We as Christians sometimes isolate ourselves from the world without realizing that the world will not come to us; we must go to them.

In John 17, Jesus prays for many things including His disciples and those who would believe after them.  In His prayer He asks God not to take His disciples out of the world but to keep them from the evil one.  Jesus understood that if His disciples must fulfill the mission He gave them, they must remain in the world and not withdraw from it.  That is why the Great Commission states, “Go ye into all world” (Mark 16:15) not “Withdraw from all the world”.

What does it mean to be in the world but not of it?  It means to remain active in the world’s affairs and be engaged with the people and institutions in the communities where we reside.  It means to use our gifts, skills and abilities to serve people while glorifying Christ wherever we find ourselves.

What happens if we withdraw from the world? According to Matthew 5:14-16

• There would not be light to guide people to truth
• There would not be salt to preserve the world from self-destruction
• Our good works would not be seen by man

As Biblical Entrepreneurs we understand that most of our businesses depend on us being in the world since most of us do not just serve Christians.  How do we make sure we remain in the world without being spotted by the world?  According to Romans 12 and Galatians 2:20 we should:

• Be assured of our own salvation
• Renew our mind
• Die to self
• Resist the devil and give him no place
• Be clear of our calling and vocation
• Earn the right to be heard
• Share Jesus

Being in the world is not always easy with all the temptations that exist. It seems like it is much easier to withdraw but withdrawal is not an option so pray that God grants you the grace today to be in the world and the wisdom to know how not to be spotted by it.