not of the world
What does the Bible mean when it says we are in the world but not of the world...that we are to be no part of the world? How can we live here on earth...in this world...but be no part of this world? We have to live here and earn a living here. Quite the Christian Conundrum.
The following scriptures explain how we are to view the world. "By world" it means this temporary, evil system, government, fleshly desires, possessions and such. We know that we are here for a brief time, that our eternal home is with God and Jesus in heaven. We are told to store up treasures in heaven, not on earth, because all those things are passing away. They are temporary and we can't bring them with us. Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
James 4:4 “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”
1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
John 18:36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”
John 17:16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
Colossians 3:2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
1 John 5:19 We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
Philippians 3: 20-21 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
This does not mean that we cannot enjoy the beauty of the world around us. God created it for us to enjoy. It simply means we are to be no part of the evil that surrounds us.
This is not our home...
we are temporary aliens living in a foreign land.
