In the world, but not of it
We are often reminded that ‘we are in the world, but not of it’. Sometimes that can sound as if everything in this world is dangerous and to be avoided. The way some Christians apply that verse means that effectively they withdraw from meaningful contact with unbelievers, frown on any kind of enjoyment unless it is distinctly ‘Christian’, and sit tight for heaven!
Paul reminds the believers in Philippi that our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20), but does that mean it is wrong to have any sense of belonging here on earth: to have a home in which we feel comfortable, a family in which we feel secure, possessions that are ours?
If – as the old spiritual put it – ‘This world is not our home, we’re just a-passing through’, should we be bothered by global warming, involved in social action in our communities, enjoy the arts, feel guilty about being wealthy, get involved in politics?
They are big questions and although there isn’t scope for a full answer to any of them here, it is good to step back and think about what the Bible actually teaches about the world in which we live, about what Jesus means by ‘not being of it’ and how the prospect of our final home should shape life in this one.
Three headings will point us in the right direction:
1 The world in which we live is filled with gifts for our enjoyment
Have you ever noticed how Paul responds to the teaching that says that marriage, food, sport, recreation and the like are forbidden when he writes to Timothy? He says that such teaching is demonic and that by stark contrast everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving (1 Timothy 4:4). Sometimes Christians are in grave danger of forgetting the glorious richness and diversity in God’s creation. Is it any less dishonouring to God to call good evil than it is to call evil good?
2 The world in which we live is shaped with marks of man’s rebellion
We must be very careful to remember what Jesus meant when he spoke about ‘the world’ which we don’t belong to. In John’s Gospel the word ‘world’ does not primarily mean the physical location but the spiritual rebellion. The ‘world’ that God so loves (John 3:16) is mankind in rebellion to God. That is what is so phenomenal about his love. He loves a world that hates him; the same world that hates believers (John 15:18). That is what we have been saved out of; that is what we don’t belong to. The problem we face is not that money is evil, that art is ungodly, that sex is ugly and therefore we have to avoid all as much as we can. The problem is that since the fall ALL of God’s good gifts have been abused and misused. The main way in which this happens is that rather than accepting them as good gifts from God to be used as he directs, we treat them as ours with the in-built right to do what we want with them.
3 The world in which we live is not our final destination
Though this is our home for as long as God spares us it is not our final home. It is not wrong to enjoy life in this world. What is wrong is to live only for this world. In Philippians 3 Paul writes … many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is not that we shouldn’t have any sense of belonging here, but to live as if this was all there is, is dangerous idolatry. It is impossible to find lasting satisfaction even in the best of God’s gifts here, even if we enjoy them with thankfulness according to his instructions. Indeed the frustrations, disappointments, griefs and losses that we feel in this world should direct us to the home of righteousness, to what Jesus will gloriously bring about when he returns.
What does this all mean in practice? Here are three more pointers:
Enjoy with thankfulness the good things God gives
The material world is not intrinsically evil but good, because God created it to be good. Beautiful views, walks in the woods, friendships and families, relaxation and laughter, music and art are good. God is a creative God and we are made in his image. Through his universal grace there are many good things to enjoy. The big danger that we face is not enjoying the gifts of God but forgetting the Giver. That is what materialism does - it removes the Giver and worships the gifts.
Use with gladness his resources to serve others
It would be wrong, however, to imagine that the Bible says we are simply here to worship God by enjoying his gifts. We are called to serve. A further test of our attitude to things in this world is if we recognise why we have them. We are not pleasure seekers but servants. The many gifts God gives are to be used as a means of serving others. We are to be concerned, for example, about our environment because it isn’t a resource for self-gratification but a resource to be used for the good of everyone.
Remember with confidence his home where you are heading
Augustine helpfully says, ‘The only disaster that can befall us, I have come to realise, is to feel ourselves to be at home on earth. As long as we are aliens, we cannot forget our true homeland.’ The frustrations and failings, the disappointment and dissatisfaction that are built into life since the fall, are meant to point us to our final destination where there will be no more sorrow and sinning, no more selfishness and pain.
We are to live in a way that reflects that we are God’s people, in God’s world, heading for God’s home!