I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. (John 17:9-19)
A paraphrase for these verses is, “As Christians we must live in the world, but not be a part of the world.” The world to which Jesus referred is not the earthly planet upon which we live, but rather, He was talking about the inhabitants and the influence these people have upon Christians. The Greek word for world is kosmos, meaning, “the world (in a wide or narrow sense, including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively [morally])” (Biblesoft’s New Exhaustive Strong’s).
Notice Paul’s admonition in Romans 12:1-2. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Now, compare that with Jesus’ words in John 17. We clearly see the importance of not allowing the world to influence our behavior and attitude.
Unfortunately, some Christians look at these passages and draw the conclusion that Jesus and Paul are instructing us to avoid those actively participating in sinful behavior. If we have narrowed our understanding of these verses to include only sinful behavior, we may well miss the full scope of the teachings of our Lord and the apostle Paul.
There are many morally good, wholesome activities in which Christians may participate and not commit sin, if done with proper attitude and motivation. However, these same activities may become sin in our lives when we allow them to move our devotion away from God. Please consider these scenarios:
A man or a woman has a job that prohibits him or her from gathering with the saints on Sundays and Wednesday to worship God and to be edified by His Word. I am not referring to the occasional requirement to work on a Sunday or Wednesday, but rather circumstances where one misses most if not all Sundays and Wednesdays. Yes, Christians must work to support their families and themselves. Second Thessalonians 3:10 states, “…If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” Further, 1 Timothy 5:8 instructs that those who refuse to care for their own are worse than an unbeliever. The Bible clearly teaches that we are to work and provide for our needs and the care of our families. However, if our employment prevents us from worshipping God, we have allowed our jobs to overshadow our proper relationship with God. In that scenario, God is no longer first and foremost in our lives. One in this situation would do well to find another job quickly where he or she can regularly worship God.
“It is Wednesday evening. I have worked hard today, and I am tired. I am not up to going to Bible class tonight.” Hebrews 10:25 states, “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” The Scriptures clearly teach that we are to gather with the saints at the times appointed by the leaders of the congregation. Again, if our job is interfering with this command, we need to reevaluate our job and our heart.
“I am too sick to go to worship today. I have a headache, stuffy nose and a cough.” These are certainly legitimate reasons for missing worship, but will you go to work in the morning with these same symptoms? If so, where are your priorities? What is more important to you – your job or God?
“We are not going to Bible class tonight. Johnnie has a big test tomorrow for which he needs to study. Getting a good education and doing well in school is important. It will help him obtain a good job to care for his family later in life.” However, what appears to be more important – a secular education or a spiritual education? We need to teach our children better time management skills so that homework and studying are done before time to leave for Bible class. If they are not done, then you will still go to Bible class and get a good spiritual education for it is far more important than a secular education.
Johnnie comes to Bible class and worship dressed in his ball uniform. During worship, the family sits in the back, and they quietly leave before the end of services in order to get to the ball field in time for Johnnie to play. I commend this family for making the effort to be there for Bible class and part of the worship services. Playing ball is not a sinful activity. However, I am concerned what we are teaching Johnnie and those who watch us leave early. Are we not saying that Johnnie’s ballgame is more important than focusing our attention on worshipping and serving God?
Two months ago, the youth planned a day of service. They will gather at the building, divide in groups and visit the widows – assisting them with yardwork, cleaning, and getting to know the older members. Susie will miss this opportunity to serve others, as she is overly involved in extracurricular activities at school. None of these activities is sinful, and they may serve a good purpose, but what are we teaching Susie? Are we not saying that school activities take precedence over serving God?
The scenarios listed above are not fictional. You will find this happening in most congregations. Is it any wonder that we are losing a large number of our young people to the world? Many are not involved in sinful behaviors, but there is sin in their lives – the sin of failing to place God as the top priority in their lives.
Let us wake up and live in the world but do not be a part of the world. Let us be a godly influence on the world around us instead allowing the world to influence us and to pull us away from God.
Works Cited
Biblesoft’s New Exhaustive Strong’s Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. CD-ROM. Seattle: Biblesoft and International Bible Translators, 2006.
