In John 17:15-17, Jesus said, “I pray not that you would take them from the world, but that you would keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in your truth. Your Word is truth.”
These words demonstrate the principle that Christians are to be “in the world, but not of the world.”
The work God gives us cannot be accomplished by cutting oneself off from society. Instead, we must be “in the world.” Part of being “in the world” is living amid unrighteousness (cf. 2 Pet. 2:5-9).
Living righteously amid unrighteousness is the key. While Christians are surrounded by evil, this does not excuse evil on our part. We must shine light on the darkness, instead of joining it. This is the idea behind the phrase “not of the world.”
John 17:17 explains how we can be “in the world, but not of the world.” The word “sanctify” used by Jesus refers to being set apart from evil for God’s use. This sanctification is possible through God’s Word. To be “in the world, but not of the world,” we must let God’s Word transform our thinking and behavior (Rom. 12:2), rather than letting society dictate our morals.
People of the world tend to focus on doing what fits one’s own will for life, but faithful Christians center their lives on pleasing God by following His will (cf. 2 Cor. 5:9).
Because the faithful Christian is focused on pleasing God, he or she will develop a character that is far different from the world.
While the world displays pride, envy, covetousness, ingratitude, and the like, we must be filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control, compassion, gratitude, and virtue (Gal. 5:22-23; Col. 3:12-15; 2 Pet. 1:5-8).
Such character differences are evidenced by one’s speech. While the world is given to filthy language like cursing, we must speak words that edify (Col. 3:8). While the world sees “little white lies” as acceptable, the faithful Christian always speaks truth (Col. 3:9). While gossip is common in our society, it will not be common in us if we are pleasing God (Rom. 1:29-30).
Our actions will also be much different from the world’s if we are pleasing God.
Consider, for instance, how faithful Christians conduct themselves in the marriage relationship. While the world says that a husband and wife can choose for themselves what roles to fill, God teaches that the husband and wife perfectly complement one another by accepting the roles He has assigned.
God commands, “Wives, be in subjection unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.” (Eph. 5:22), and, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself up for it” (verse 25).
God’s pattern is for the husband to be the chief provider (1 Tim. 5:8), while the wife’s primary responsibility is in the home (Titus 2:4-5). While men and women have equal importance and value, this does not mean that God gives the same roles to men and women.
This truth is unpopular in our society, but that does not make it untrue.
The same could be said with divorce and remarriage. While the world may teach that if one grows tired of his or her spouse, he or she can leave the marriage and look for another mate, God teaches something far different. In Matthew 19:9, Jesus said, “Whosoever shall put away his wife, except for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and he that marrieth her when she is put away committeth adultery.”
While on the subject of marriage, note that God designed marriage to be between a man and a woman. Homosexual conduct is condemned in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. Concerning the sins listed in these verses, verse 11 says, “Such were some of you…” This shows that homosexual conduct can (and must) be repented of. This truth is, again, extremely unpopular in the society we live in, but that does not make it untrue.
Homosexual conduct is a form of fornication, as are adultery and premarital sex. While such behavior is commonplace in society, God forbids it (Gal. 5:19). He further forbids “lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties” (1 Pet. 4:3; NKJV). He also commands practices that are uncommon, like devotion to prayer (Col. 4:2), diligent study of His Word (1 Pet. 2:2), and sincere self-examination (2 Cor. 13:5).
It is evident that the lifestyle Jesus prayed for His disciples to live in John 17 is far different from the lifestyle of the majority.
May we each choose this lifestyle and not be “of the world.”
– Michael Hickox