Can a Christian be in the World but not of the World?

"I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel." 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever." 1 John 2:15-17.

Is there a tension between these verses? The passage in 1 Corinthians seems to be telling us to blend in with the world in order to win them for Christ whereas 1 John appears to tell us to maintain a separation.
In reality, there is no tension. Notice that 1 John does not say to completely cut yourself off from the world but rather not to "love" the things of the world (such as lust and pride). Even Jesus became part of the world so that he could experience what tempts us ("For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin"; Hebrews 4:15). When we say Christians are to be "in the world, not of the world," that does not mean that you must segregate yourself from your surrounding culture. In order to properly reach people where they are, you must understand that culture, but be disciplined enough to pull back if you start to be tempted by "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life."

Be the seed that fell on good soil (Luke 8:8, 15). If you know that your heart lies with God, then you can "become all things to all people" without "loving the world." God bless.

ON THE HOT SEAT

A unique open forum opportunity for junior high and high school students. Come, bring your friends and your questions. Apologist Ken Coughlan will be answering questions about the Christian faith in a live question / answer session. This is your chance to ask your questions and get face-to-face answers, no matter what worldview you come from: Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, New Age, Atheist, Agnostic or any other. Free admission. No advance reservation necessary. Call us for more details (410/935-0701).


Sunday, May 15, 2011
9:15 am-10:15 am
2nd Floor of the Monroe Building
Grove Church
50 East Bel Air Ave.
Aberdeen, Maryland

Little Stockey and the Miracle of Christmas

I just read a fantastic children's book about Christmas that I wanted to strongly recommend to any of my Christian readers out there.  The name of the book is "Little Stockey and the Miracle of Christmas" by Gale Nemec.

Little Stockey is the smallest in his owner's collection of Christmas stockings.  11 months out of the year he waits patiently (or not so patiently) in a box in the attic, just itching to get out and celebrate the Christmas season.  He has become accustomed to his low spot on the bannister, with the higher spots reserved for the larger stockings.  But for some reason this year his owner leaves all the other stockings in the box, hanging only little Stockey and giving him the place of greatest honor on the very top of the bannister!

At first Little Stockey is thrilled by his new position, but over time he becomes lonely.  He cannot understand why his owner, spending Christmas alone, is not also lonely.  But she says that she is never alone, especially at Christmas.  It takes a special visitor to accompany Little Stockey on an exciting journey for him to come to realize what Christmas is really all about and why, thanks to the gift we were given on Christmas Day, we are never alone.

The book is not yet available in stores, but you can purchase it for only $10.00 (plus shipping and tax) at the following website.

http://childrensstorieswithmizznemec.com/

Ten Minas Ministries is not affiliated with Gale Nemec.  This is just an effort to spread the word about a good resource for our children.  God bless.