We Are In The World
TheIf ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
John 15:19
The Christian, of course, must live his life in this world. He must infiltrate this world with a purpose—to help win the world. But he does not need to participate in the evils of the world. It is impossible for us to escape from the world, the flesh, and the devil, even in a monastery.
We cannot possibly influence the world unless we live in it and give evidence of the power of the Gospel in our lives. As citizens we must vote and participate in political affairs. We are to participate in civic activities, and most certainly we are to be loyal and faithful to the church.
However, we are not to compromise with the world, the flesh, and the devil. We are not to participate in the sins of the world. There are certain things to which a Christian must say no—in politics, in the shop, in the office, even in the neighborhood. He must often show that he is a citizen of another world, and many times suffer persecution and misunderstanding because of it.
We should refuse to support anything which does not meet with the approval of our Christian conscience. There are thousands of professing Christians who are betraying their Christian principles because they are more concerned for the world’s smiles than the commendation of Jesus Christ.
I have found that the casual Christian has little or no influence upon others. I am finding that it is only the Christian who refuses to compromise in matters of honesty, integrity, and morality who is bearing an effective witness for Christ. The worldly Christian is prepared to do as the world does and will condone practices which are dishonest and unethical because he is afraid of the world’s displeasure. Only by a life of obedience to the voice of the Spirit, by a daily dying to self, by a full dedication to Christ and constant fellowship with him, are we enabled to live a godly life and have a positive influence in this present ungodly world.
Our Father and our God, I want to be pure and holy as You are holy. Please let my witness for Christ be strong. Keep my honesty, integrity, and morality intact, no matter what happens. Help me learn to say no when I should. Give me courage and the fortitude to be obedient at all times. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Billy Graham, Unto the Hills: A Daily Devotional (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2010).se things I command you, that ye love one another.
John 15:17
What is the great overwhelming evidence that we have passed from death unto life? It is love! Our Lord prayed, “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 17:21).
Jesus Christ clearly was speaking of visible unity, such as can be seen by the world. His motive for praying was that the world might believe and the world might know. He prayed for unity among believers. There is a kind of unity in diversity, a unity compatible with variety, and it is this pattern which Christ lays down for the church.
All through the book of Acts there occurs a key phrase: “with one accord.” The apostles were not given to quarreling over secondary points of doctrine. When difficulties did arise, every attempt was made to settle them in a reasonable and charitable spirit under the direction of the Holy Spirit.
God, who wills man’s unity in Christ, is a God of variety. So often we want everyone to be the same, to think and speak and believe as we do. Ephesians 2:19– 20, Philippians 2:1–4, and many other passages could be called to witness that love is the real key to Christian unity.
In the spirit of true humility, compassion, consideration, and unselfishness—which reflect the mind of the Lord Jesus—we are to approach our problems, our work, and even our differences.
James says that even the demons believe—and shudder. He is protesting against the barrenness of the orthodoxy which is divorced from love and good works. It is possible to be right theologically and yet to be lacking in a spirit of love.
John filled his epistles with the love that we are to have one for another: “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren” (1 John 3:14)—not because we are sound in the Christian faith and believe the Bible from cover to cover. The one great test is love!
Our Father and our God, thank You for the beautiful variety You created in the world—and among your people. Help us develop the spirit of true humility, compassion, consideration, and unselfishness that reflects the mind of Christ. In His name I pray. Amen.
Billy Graham, Unto the Hills: A Daily Devotional (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2010).