Hot Topics: In Not Of

Fact: God wants us to be in the world, and not of the world!

What exactly does that mean? Let's break it down into two parts.

In the world- that means that we are living on this terrestrial ball. We're humans.
But not of the world-this means that we are to be distinct as Christians. We are not to be worldly.

Callie really wanted to reach out to her friends. She grew up in a Christian home, but hadn't accepted him as her Lord and Savior until a year ago. Her friends were into stuff that she didn't really think the Bible approved of, but she had to reach them somehow! She had to help them see the light! So Callie decided to get on their level of things. Little by little she did what they did. Soon, she found herself acting like they did in every single way, and eventually she had forgotten everything but what her friends were doing and how she had to continue doing it. Callie was trapped.

Sad, huh?

People define "of the world" as many things. Some say Hollywood and media. Some say rock music, even if it has Christian. Some say that it's bad friends.
How do you determine whether something or someone is right for you?
Well, the thing is to go to the Bible. Another tip in determining whether something is okay to do is to ask the classic question, "What Would Jesus Do?"
Or ask, "What would He say if he was standing right next to you?"

But, you need to beware of secluding yourself too much. God called us to be the light of the world. We need to shine and show how amazing our God is. The best example is Jesus.

"Jesus Calls Levi

(Matthew 9:9-13; Mark 2:13-17)

After that, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax collector's desk. He said to him, “Follow me!” So Levi left everything behind, got up, and followed him.

Then Levi gave a large banquet at his home for Jesus.

A large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. The Pharisees and their scribes started complaining to Jesus’ disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”

But Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don't need a physician, but sick people do. I have not come to call righteous people, but sinners, to repentance.”"

Luke 5:27-32

So, have compassion for the world. We aren't supposed to be "holier-than-thou" people. We aren't supposed to think we're higher than anyone else because we are Christian. God is the difference. He changed our lives, and we didn't save ourselves. At the same time, we are distinct from every one else. A song by Avalon comes to mind....It's a great song about living in the world, and not of it.

In Not Of
by Avalon

I hide me far away from trouble
The world outside me grows darker by the day
So I promise to stay here close beside Him
Surely God would want His children safe
Then reading, how my eyes were opened
I find that He is leading us out into the world
Into the middle of fallen saints and sinners
Where a little grace is needed most

CHORUS
Come take the Light to darker parts
Share His truth with hardened hearts
We are not like the world but we can love it
Come bring the Hope to hopeless men
Until the lost are found in Him
He came to save the world
So let us be... in it, not of it

Wait a minute
If we say we love them, why are we not in it
Why we run and hide
Entertain a stranger
Maybe entertain an angel
The danger is if our worlds don't collide

CHORUS

We've cursed the darkness far too long
We need to hold the candle high
We have to go and right the wrongs
We need to touch the world with love
With His love

Wait a minute
If we say we love them, why are we not in it
Why are we not in it

CHORUS 2X

Wait a minute
If we say we love them, why are we not in it