Summary
In the World, but Not of the World
Two small words—"in" and "of"—carry enormous weight for the Christian life. We plainly are in the world: we live, work, eat, and walk among neighbors who do not believe. But Scripture teaches that we are not of the world. The difference between those two prepositions shapes how a disciple of Christ thinks, speaks, and acts every day.
Paul describes those who are "of" the world bluntly in Philippians 3:18-19: their god is the belly, their glory is in their shame, and their minds are set on earthly things. Scripture often equates the world with darkness and chaos—that is, with sin. To be of the world is to live as an enemy of the cross, consumed with appetites and earthly concerns. Paul writes of such people with tears, and notably he is not only speaking of those outside the church but also of those within it who have set their minds on lesser things.
Recognizing this danger, Christians can fall into one of three traps. The first is self-righteousness: looking at the worldly and congratulating ourselves that we are "above" all that. The second is despair: when we catch ourselves caught up in worldly concerns, we sink under the shame of sin with no apparent way out. The third is withdrawal: in our zeal to shun anything worldly, we cut out humor, fashion, friendship, enjoyment—anything we like—on the assumption that if we love it, it must not be of God. We hide. We mark time. We wait. But for what? “How Can I be “In” the World, but not “Of” the World?” 8-29-21
Jesus himself answers this clearly. In his high priestly prayer he says, "I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one… As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world" John 17:15-18. Jesus came into the world, took on our flesh, ate with sinners, touched lepers, and called tax collectors as disciples. He did not participate in their sin; he transformed their lives. And he tells us, "In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world" John 16:33. He conquered the world not so we could hide from it, but so we could be sent into it.
That sending has a pattern. Paul writes, "Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us" Philippians 3:17. What does Paul model? Not a righteousness of his own from the law, but the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ Philippians 3:8-11. Every Christian here today is here because someone more mature in the faith was imitated and observed. Our children, grandchildren, friends, and guests are watching us in the same way. We were not called to hide; we were "created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" Ephesians 2:10.
The deepest answer to the question lies in citizenship. "Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ" Philippians 3:20. In the Roman world, citizenship granted enormous freedoms and protections; people paid fortunes to obtain it. Paul possessed that earthly citizenship by birth and counted it rubbish compared to belonging to Christ. As citizens of heaven we have rights and freedoms of a different order: the right to share God's word, to forgive sins by his authority, and to live as saints clothed in Christ's righteousness.
This is why the risen Christ did not tell his disciples to hang back and wait. He commissioned them: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you" Matthew 28:19-20. To be in the world but not of it, then, is to live as a citizen of heaven on assignment here—protected by the Father's prayer, marked by Christ's righteousness, sent to share with others the citizenship that begins on the day of faith and continues into eternity.
Video citations
- “How Can I be “In” the World, but not “Of” the World?” 8-29-21 — If you would please open your Bibles to the book or the letter of Philippians, the third chapter, we will be doing most of our studying out of Philippians chapter three. Okay, so do you guys…