How Believers Can Be in the World, but Not of the World
When we read of the “world” in the New Testament, we are reading the Greek word cosmos. Cosmos most often refers to the inhabited earth and the people who live on the earth, which functions apart from God. Satan is the ruler of this “cosmos” (John 12:31; John 16:11; 1 John 5:19). By the simple definition that the word world refers to a world system ruled by Satan, we can more readily appreciate Christ’s claims that believers are no longer of the world—we are no longer ruled by sin, nor are we bound by the principles of the world. In addition, we are being changed into the image of Christ, causing our interest in the things of the world to become less and less as we mature in Christ.
Believers in Jesus Christ are simply in the world—physically present—but not of it, not part of its values (John Chapter 17). As believers, we should be “set apart” from the world. This is the meaning of being holy and living a holy, righteous life—to be set apart. We are not to engage in the sinful activities the world promotes, nor are we to retain the insipid, corrupt mind that the world creates. Rather, we are to conform ourselves, and our minds, to that of Jesus Christ (Romans 12:1-2). This is a daily activity and commitment.
We must also understand that being in the world, but not of it, is necessary if we are to be a light to those who are in spiritual darkness. We are to live in such a way that those outside the faith see our good deeds and our manner and know that there is something “different” about us. Christians who make every effort to live, think, and act like those who do not know Christ do Him a great disservice. Even the heathen know that “by their fruits you shall know them,” and as Christians, we should exhibit the fruit of the Spirit within us.
Being “in” the world also means we can enjoy the things of the world, such as the beautiful creation God has given us, but we are not to immerse ourselves in what the world values, nor are we to chase after worldly pleasures. Pleasure is no longer our calling in life, as it once was, but, rather, the worship of God.
Conformity
A potter shapes a lump of clay into a form of his design. It conforms to his idea of how it should look and function. Society does the same thing to people. It has a way of molding us to conform to its way of looking, thinking, and behaving. Unfortunately, culture rarely values what God does, especially in the area of morality, so its view of conformity does not match God’s. The Christian’s task is to conform to Jesus’s way of thinking and acting, even when it goes against society. Jesus wants to break the old mold and shape us into new people.
Why does God want me, as a Christian, to be different from the world around me?
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
It’s easy to slip into the behavior and customs of your culture. It takes thoughtful and purposeful resolution to live God’s way. He promises to help by changing the way you think to transform you into a person who pleases Him. It’s much better to live a life that pleases God than to please society.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
Christians are to act like Christ, who did not conform to the culture but modeled how God wants people to live. Every culture is bent toward selfishness and a sinful lifestyle. But God calls you to be selfless and to do your best to keep sin from controlling you.
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. [16] For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”
Not everything in the world is bad—after all, God created it. But the world has been infected with evil, and believers need to be especially discerning. To focus only on this world and what you can get for yourself in your lifetime is against all that God wants for you. Enjoy the good things God gives, work against evil, and allow God to guide.
“But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.”
Many people say, “I’m going to do what I want. I don’t care what people say.” But Christians can’t have that attitude. You have a special responsibility to act as a representative of Christ. If your actions are not consistent with your faith, then you could cause unbelievers to question the life-transforming power of God and cause believers to doubt their faith.
Can I be conformed to Christ and still hang on to old habits?
“And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. [22] Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. [23] And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.”
In this parable, Jesus shows that it is very difficult to let go of the things of this world that distract you from following Him. Conforming to His standards is hard work and requires much from you, but it brings freedom from being enslaved to sin and eternal rewards far greater than you could imagine.
Sources: https://www.gotquestions.org/in-but-not-of-world.html
(“Conformity” is a TouchPoint topic from the KJV Tecarta Bible app)