IN THIS WORLD -- NOT OF IT

1 Corinthians 5

“We are in this world not of it.” What does this mean?

Some might see it as a call for separation from all that does not fall under the ‘Christian’ banner. Those who see it this way may shop at bible book stores happily paying more for Veggie-tales than they would at the local Wal-mart; drink their mocha’s at the coffee shop where K-love has been known to be heard over the speakers and if a Christian school is not affordable, homeschooling is a must.

All of these things are well and good. Nothing at all wrong with supporting our brothers and sisters in Christ (after all, wouldn’t we shop first at a relative’s store before any other?) as well as making assurances that our children are taught the same values and morals that God demands from us.

The problem is not the fellowshipping and supporting of our Christian family, the problem comes when in doing so we shut out everyone else. When we find ourselves avoiding all unbelievers even as we attempt to convert them.

Paul wrote a letter to his church in Corinth addressing the problem of immoral acts committed by members of that church. I love what he says:

“I have written you in my letter not to associate with immoral people—not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral…. in that case you would have to leave this world!”

Paul is trying to clarify that he did not intend for the church to remain secluded from the world and it’s unbelieving population. In order to do that, he quips, you would have to leave the world!

He continues with his clarification by saying:

“You must not associate with anyone who calls himself a BROTHER but is immoral.”

He goes on to say:

“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside.”

So what are we to think about the unbelievers who are living with their girl/boyfriends, following different religions – or no religion at all, use coarse language? Are we to judge them and hold them accountable to that which we believe? No – We are in this world with them and are commanded, in fact, to love them. Paul tells us it is God who will judge them and we certainly are not God!

It was the Pharisees who grumbled that Jesus welcomed the sinners and ate with them (Luke 15:2). Yet, Paul warns us that we are not to eat with fellow Christians who are immoral (1 Corinthians 5:11). Why? Because we who follow Christ are held to a higher standard. The reason we shun our brothers and sisters who are acting immorally is to hold them accountable to their calling as a follower of Christ as well as keeping ourselves from falling into the same discretions.

Some may think that as Christians we are to love our brother and judge the unbeliever but the opposite is more true – we are to love the unbeliever and judge our brother. By doing so, we show love by our concern for him/her to get back on track.

“We are in this world – not of it” then, is less about where we eat and with whom we hang out but more about how we act. We do not act like those who are of this world. We hold each other and ourselves accountable to the standards that were given to us by our God and Savior. We do so because our lives were deemed worthy enough to be salvaged by the death and resurrection of God Himself! So we hold our heads high -- not in arrogance – but in appreciation for the precious gift we were given. We should then immerse ourselves IN this world with hopes that those OF this world will see the love of God through us and also accept His gift offered to all.