How can Christians live ‘in the world’ but not be ‘of the world? Viewing the treacherous condition of this world from God’s perspective can be overwhelming. Here’s the good news: that bad news is no longer our burden to carry, “for everyone born of God overcomes the world.”
"In the world but not of the world." We've heard this phrase all too often as Christians.
Home. The word stirs deep sentiment, a subtle longing, nostalgia. We can make a house a home, but the essence of home doesn’t require the support of four walls. At any moment, no matter where we are, that at-home feeling can sweep over us. The lingering aroma of slow roasting turkey, the gentle caress of a wrinkled hand, a baby’s coos—our senses can spark the feeling of home, but no single word in the English language can adequately capture the depth of its meaning.
What Does it Mean to Live in the World but Not of the World?
During His final days of ministry on earth, Jesus was confronted with the question of home. The same world He had spoken into existence now screamed against Him. The very people He had chosen to call His own, now chose to disown Him. Falsely accused, battered, and alone, Jesus stood before Pilate and declared, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place”(John 18:36).
With that powerful proclamation, Jesus turned the world upside down. Since the beginning of His ministry, Jesus had tried to convey to His followers that the time had come—that time which had been foretold by the prophets—the time when God’s children no longer needed to search for refuge in a sin-laden land that was not their own. The King had come. And with Him came the keys to an everlasting Kingdom they could now call home.
Christ’s Kingdom is the homeland for all believers—it’s where we belong. In Him and with Him. We may physically reside on planet earth, “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ”Philippians 3:20.
What Does the Bible Say about 'in the World but Not of the World'
As citizens of Heaven, our view of this temporal world matters. What we think and believe about this foreign land helps us find our proper place in it. The only reliable source for this information comes from the creator, Himself. Here’s what God’s Word has to say about this world:
This world is temporary (1 John 2:17, 2 Corinthians 4:18, Matthew 5:18).
This world is not our friend (John 15:18-19, James 4:4, 1 John 2:15-17).
This world is full of trouble (John 16:33, 2 Timothy 3:1-4, James 1:2-4).
Satan’s power is active in this world (1 John 5:19, Ephesians 2:1-2, 2 Corinthians 4:4).
Christ has overcome this world (John 16:33, 1 John 4:4, John 12:31-32).
How Can Christians Live ‘In the World’ but not be ‘Of the World?
Viewing the treacherous condition of this world from God’s perspective can be overwhelming. Here’s the good news: that bad news is no longer our burden to carry, “for everyone born of God overcomes the world.”
While we sojourn through this dry and weary land, we are not alone. Christ has made every provision for our successful journey. He’s given us His word, His armor, His example, and the best resource of all—Himself. His Holy Spirit indwells each believer, sets us apart, leads us into truth, and helps us live out our earthly calling through His divine power.
In fact, Jesus was so passionate about equipping us for our journey that He took the request straight to the Father on the eve of the crucifixion. “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:15-19).
What Is a Christian’s Role in This World?
Equipped with His power, each believer has been assigned a mission to fulfill while we’re here on earth. Some of these callings are unique to the individual, but as ambassadors of Christ, we also have a collective responsibility to represent our kingdom well. Our loyalty to our King should come before any other allegiance, but part of our duty to Him involves conducting ourselves in a worthy manner while we’re away from home. Here’s what the Bible has to say about the role of Christians in this world:
Christians should be mission-minded in this world (Matthew 28:19-20, Romans 10:14, Romans 10:15, Matthew 24:14, 1 Timothy 2:1-15).
Christians should be noticeably different than those who are of this world (Romans 12:2, Colossians 3:7-11, 1 Peter 2:9-11, Luke 6:32-36, John 13:35).
Christians should love and serve the people of this world (Matthew 5:13, Matthew 5:14-15, Mark 12:31, Luke 6:31-38).
For the Lord’s sake, Christians should submit to authority in this world (Romans 13:1, 1 Peter 2:13-15, 1 Peter 2:17, Jeremiah 29:7).
Christians should avoid futile arguments and the entanglements of this world (2 Timothy 2:14, 2 Timothy 2:23-24, Titus 3:1-2, Romans 14:1, 2 Peter 2:18-20, James 1:27).
Six Practical Ways Christians Should Live in a World that’s Not Our Home
Armed with God’s view of this world and His instructions for earthly living—here are six practical ways to apply the will of our King to practical life on earth:
Be Mission Minded—When Christians think of missionaries, we typically picture a super-saint who is called to minister in a foreign country. While in that land, the missionary’s goal is to serve and love the indigenous people while preaching the Gospel. Many missionaries endure untold hardships, suffer persecution, and trade their wealth to live in poverty. Why? Because they are driven by the internal fire of their calling.
Few of us can fathom, though we truly revere, the kind of sacrifice required of missionaries. But the truth is if we view this world as God does, and we take His instructions for living to heart, we are left with a stark realization; though we’re not all assigned the role of a missionary, we are all called to the same mission. Our King’s mission—to seek and save the lost. Are we driven by the internal fire of that calling? God has sovereignly placed people in our path who need to know Him. Do we have eyes to see the plight of the unbeliever? Only when our mind is on the mission can our eyes, ears, and heart engage in the calling.
Stay in Touch with The King and Fellow Citizens—We serve a God who is not in the business of abandonment. Jesus died to close the gap that sin had created between us and the Father. He would never leave us to our own devices to fulfill our mission. Now, more than ever, it’s important to take advantage of our sacred access to Him on a regular basis. Through prayer and time in His Word, we can discover His ways, discern His plans, and seek His will—but most importantly we can press on to know Him. Our strength and joy are found in His presence.
Our loving Father has also given us the privilege and responsibility of fellowship with other Kingdom citizens. We are His Body. Christ fits believers together, like pieces of a puzzle, to accomplish His purposes. When we neglect that fellowship, we undermine our God-given provision to combat loneliness and discouragement. Together we are stronger and our love for fellow believers speaks volumes to the perishing world.
Stay Clean—When far away from home for an extended period, it’s easy to get swept into the flow of a different culture. The more we immerse ourselves in worldly customs, pleasures, and pastimes—the less we look like citizens of our rightful home.
Our King has called us to be “holy.” At first glance, that word is intimidating because the world’s definition of holiness can be summarized as “out of reach.” But God’s definition of holiness means “set apart.” Until we reach home, we will not be perfect. But it’s important to acknowledge our sins, confess them, turn from them, and allow Christ’s regenerative blood to keep us set apart for Him.
Submit to Authority—Throughout history, God has appointed leaders and rulers to govern His people. Some of those leaders have been evil. Some good. All have been used by God to accomplish His divine purposes.
When we forget that this world is not our home—and this life is not our own—our old nature will try to appoint itself as a leader. Our old nature values its own rights above all. Our old nature will demand its own way and use any means possible to secure it. Our old nature ignores God’s sovereignty, or worse will reinvent a god in his own image, to justify self-righteous actions.
Submission to earthly authority is not about passively going with the flow of this culture; it’s about laying down our own ideas and standing firm on God’s plan. When the winds and waves of civil unrest threaten to overtake the land, we have a choice to participate in the worldly chaos or stand firm—not on any worldly institution, personal conviction, or righteous cause—but on the only foundation that lasts. “BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A CHOICE STONE, A PRECIOUS CORNER stone, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED” 1 Peter 2:6.
Rightly Identify the Enemy—This world is not our friend, but that doesn’t mean the lost people of this world are our enemy. Satan, the true enemy, is holding the lost captive. He “has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” When Christians treat unbelievers as the enemy, rather than the captive, Satan wins.
While we’re busy fighting, opposing, and debating our captive neighbors, Satan tightens their chains of unbelief—and sows seeds of pride, bitterness, and self-righteousness in our own hearts. But when we, as Christians, choose to love our neighbor as ourselves, Christ’s light can shine through us and become a beacon of hope that pierces the darkness.
Avoid Divisive Chatter—Social media platforms have opened the door to unlimited access to this world. A Christian’s online presence should reflect whose we are. While there is a time and place for healthy spiritual deliberation, social media platforms are not that forum. No matter how right, wise, or pious the argument, no Christian has ever rescued a non-believer from Satan’s grip through a heated social media debate. But plenty of well-meaning Christians have been used by Satan to repel genuine seekers from the truth that could set them free.
When citizens of Heaven use abrasive words to win a spiritual argument, we mar the public image of our King and create a stumbling block to the Gospel. “Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will” 2 Timothy 2:23-25.
"In the world but not of the world." Home. Our Heavenly home is less than a century away for each of us. Our King has placed a deep sentiment and subtle longing in our hearts for the homeland. That yearning drives us closer to Him and to our destiny in Him. No matter where we stake our claim, plant our flag, or pledge our allegiance in this temporal world—may the mark we leave behind become a roadmap for others to find home. “He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end” Ecclesiastes 3:11.
Further Reading
What Does it Mean To Be "In the World but Not of It"?
Coming Up for Air: How to Be "In the World but Not of the World"
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