I have given them your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.  I do not ask you to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one.  They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

 You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again?  It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown our and trampled under foot by men.  You are the light of the world.  A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  Let you light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?  Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?  Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols?  For we are the temple of the living God….”

1.  What do you think it means to be in the world but not of the world?

2.  How do your own relationships reflect being “in the world but not of the world”?

3.  Is there someone in your life you should separate from now because they are affecting your ability to be obedient to Jesus’ words?

Oh what a dilemma!  We are to be a transforming influence on the world yet not be bound with the world or in harmony with the world.  We are to be separate from the world but Jesus also tells us to be “salt and light” to the world.  When we give our lives to Jesus, He calls us to “come out from their midst and be separate” (II Cor. 6:17) because He wants us to transform the world and not the other way around.

 Learning what it meant to make Jesus the Lord of my life made it possible for me to take a stand for Him rather than follow those around me.  I remember in college I had an english class where the teacher required us to read a book that described a man seducing a young girl.  The book was very popular at the time and may still be required reading in college english classes, but I was able to stop it in my class.  When the teacher came into class and asked if we had read the book, no one said anything at first.  I raised my hand (slowly!)  and told her that I did not plan on reading it because I found it offensive to my faith as a Christian.  I was apprehensive of course because I didn’t want others to make fun of me or call me a prude, but I felt I should take a stand.

When I described the problems with the book, others supported me, even those who liked the book.  After class I was surrounded by a few other Christians who felt so encouraged by the stand and even a few who were not believers told me they admired what I had done.  I believe that was a transforming moment.  I was in the world but not of the world.  By the way, the teacher took the book off the reading list.

There have also been times when I didn’t say or do something and then felt guilty later.  The answer to that is repentance; that’s the beginning of Lordship.  It gets easier every time to stand up make sure I’m being the light of Jesus to a dying world.

As a part of Lordship in our lives, its’ important to surround our private lives with others who love Jesus as well;  that’s what gives us the ability to be a transforming influence. Are  you “bound” together or in “harmony” with someone that does not know Jesus?  Jesus ate with sinners but we spent his private life with His disciples.   Are we giving “light to all “ who  are near us?

Lord, I ask that You be the Lord of my life and I submit my life to you and all that I will do today.  Please help me to be a light to those around me.