IN THE WORLD BUT NOT OF THE WORLD

Once saved it is very easy to see some friends or habits that we need to leave behind. It is not easy to continue to go to work and hear the same old nasty jokes being told around the water cooler. Driving down the road and the car with loud vulgar music rocking your world as well as your car pulls up beside you. Yes it is not easy to live in this world, but we are to live in it. We are not to be a part of it.

When I first got saved I felt uncomfortable when I went to get dressed, I had worldly clothes that revealed too much. I changed the way I dressed. Through the years I have had many changes in my life. Romans 12:2 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.

Just as we have to clean up our homes, there are things in the world we have to let go of. People, places and things. We can no longer be around them, we should be uncomfortable around many things. 1 John 2:15-17 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. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

A problem many new believers have is not letting go because we are comfortable around things. Just as those worldly clothes still fit me, does not mean I should wear them.

We need to search ourselves to see if there is anything that has come into our life that we are comfortable with, that should not be there. If you need to pray and ask God for deliverance. John 17:14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

Back to the world we live in. We cannot change the world, we can only change ourselves. That means walking away when the off colored jokes are being told. If you are asked why, then explain. It means stop going places that will put you in a position were things will offend you. 1 John 5:4&5 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Now adays there are Bikers for Christ; Christian single groups, for just an example. If there is something you were interested in in the world, look around you and you will probably find a Christian group doing it. If not start one.

There is nothing wrong with having fun. The difference is celebrating Christ in what you do.

God Bless Indeed
recj/LJG