If you've been a Christian for quite a while now and are part of an organization that puts a premium on reaching the unchurched, you've probably heard of the phrase, "being in this world but not of it." What that means is that we are to actively participate in the affairs of the non-Christian world without becoming sucked back into the temptations and lies of the world.
But that itself poses a challenge. While we do want to obey Christ's command to "go into all the world" (Mark 16:15) and mimic Jesus' heart for the one lost sheep, there is the challenge of avoiding becoming "conformed to the patterns of this world." Here are three things that we can continually do to remain in this world without becoming of it.
Remain in fellowship
The danger of being a light in a dark place is running out of that light and becoming a part of the darkness. The best way to avoid that? Return to the source of the light and spend time with other "lights." There is a great benefit in church community in that it keeps us all passionate and burning for Jesus and for His commission.
I find it to be helpful every time I get to receive edification, participate in corporate worship and hear preaching because it fuels me to go back into the world and start growing the church again.
Seek first God
The biggest danger behind conforming to the patterns of this world involves conforming to it's values. The world wants to teach you that your needs are number one and that we should satisfy them on our own. But as Matthew 6:33 reminds us, "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."
When we seek first God, we find satisfaction, security and purpose in Him alone and remain content in not needing the things of this world.
Partner with the Holy Spirit
As Jesus went back to the Father, He promised that we would not go alone, but would be accompanied by the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:8 tells us, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
Through the Holy Spirit, we receive power to become witnesses to this world without being witnessed by this world.
