In, but not of this world (4)

It is our calling, no matter what the circumstances are, to shine like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people (Philippians 2:14-15) I wrote in my previous post.

Is that possible? Do we have God's promise that it is possible to shine in and so defeat the darkness?

Yes, we do. In 1 John 5:4-5 it is written: For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

We achieve victory over this dark world through our faith. Note that it says 'we achieve'. It is not something we can passively obtain. We must take action in order not to let this evil world influence us and eventually overwhelm us. 

We have to make daily choices in order to shine like stars. Conscious choices in our:

• THINKING - Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect (Romans 12:2)
• TALKING - Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone (Colossians 4:6)
• ACTING - Happy are those who reject the advice of evil people, who do not follow the example of sinners or join those who have no use for God (Psalm 1:1)

Easy? Nope. Possible? Yep. Otherwise it wouldn't be asked of us. We simply cannot think like everyone else is thinking (fear, crisis, defeat, anger etc.). We simply cannot talk like everyone is talking (negative, fearful, repeating the news) etc. And last, but certainly not least, we simply cannot act like everyone else is acting (selfish, greedy, proud, lawless etc.)

The Bible clearly teaches us to live a different life, to be in this world but to not adapt its ways!

In, but not of this world (3)

Jesus said: As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you (John 15:18-19).

Jesus has chosen us out of the world, yet at the same time, He requested that God would not take us out of the world (John 17:15). How to interpret this?

As I wrote in my previous blog, this is the rescue plan: He wants to save us from this evil world. It is possible to live in this world but not belong to it, because we belong to the Kingdom of God (Galatians 1:4-5).

This evil world... is it that bad? Yes, and we should stop acting as if that is a big surprise. 1 John 5:19 says: We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one. 👉The world is under control of the evil one, scary maybe... but let's not forget that the Kingdom is under God's control!

This is the difference between darkness and light. Somehow both are present in the world we live in. We can see the evil around us clearly, daily even. But what about the light? Do we shine in this dark world? Are we visible as children of the light?

In Philippians 2:14-15 it is written: Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. 

This is our calling, this is our assignment, no matter what the circumstances are. In my next post, we will look at how and what in order to make this practical!