The World
Picture of God #99, Tues 3/27/1
The Holy Bible, New International Version
You've probably heard the above two verses combined into the little saying, "Be in the world but not of it."John 17:15My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect
them from the evil one. 16They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.
We are clearly called to be here, in this world. Hiding away, either from ignorance, or drugs, or suicide, or simply burying our heads in the proverbial sand, is not YHWH's will for us.
But we are also not to be of the world. That means we are not to be like it.
St. Paul says in Romans 12:2, Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
The world tells us many things...Many things that are perfectly acceptable to the world...
 | fortune telling, crystals, mediums |
| communicating with the dead |
| witchcraft |
| partial-birth abortions |
| 7th graders carrying condoms |
| endless profit without regard to social or environmental consequences |
| well-placed lies, as long as they serve the cause |
| using violence to solve problems |
| taxation, socialism, fascism, communism |
| caffeine to wake-up, alcohol to relax |
| 2nd grade children doped-up, so as not to rock the meat-press education system |
| doing your own thing, radical self-absorption |
| vulgarity, hatred, and depictions of all types of vile behavior, all in the name of "art" |
This list could go on and on for endless pages. You certainly have your own list.
Life in the Spirit, a life touched by the grace of YHWH, need not, and is not, that way.
Frankly, I do not consider most people to be evil. Even the radical secularists. I have met a few who must be considered genuinely evil, but very few.
I think that most people are motivated, ultimately, by the fruit of the Spirit(!) We seek love, joy, peace and the rest, no matter how round-about or convoluted the path. "If I can get into college and get that degree then I will get this position that will springboard me into stock options and with enough growth and time and correctly timed acquisitions then I can retire with a portfolio large enough to give me real security, and then I will have peace." While a hypothetical illustration, it is clearly not imaginary.
I am willing to grant (as I just said) that the majority of people are all seeking the same things, which I find to be grounded in the fruit of the Spirit.
But the "pathway of the world" is twisted, indirect, and has a host of pitfalls and risks, such as enmity, strife, hatred, and the other attributes of the fruit of the flesh.
The "pathway of the Spirit" is direct. We don't need to have anything else happen or go anywhere or do anything in order to find peace, love & joy. We realize the presence of God, the promise of eternity, and receive by grace the indwelling Spirit. Directly, immediately, now.
And we can then return to the world, empowered to testify to the more direct, better Way. In the world, but not of it.
"I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life." - Jesus.
