There’s a window and bumper sticker you’ve likely seen that reads, “NOTW: Not Of This World.” That’s how we Christians must view ourselves according to the words in red recorded in John 17:14, “I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. ”
Though God’s creation is still beautiful, the world is filled with ugliness and evil with which we must not mix. Recall how the Children of Israel mixed with the Canaanites, thus ensnaring themselves to their pagan ways. They turned from the Lord, embracing instead idols leading to cycles of straying and returning.
The journey to heaven should ideally be an unwavering trip without backsliding or yielding to temptations and lies. The World and our enemy would lead us astray, defiantly persecuting Christian values and ethics. We must put on the full armor of God and wield the sword of the Spirit, distancing ourselves from demonic influence and desires of the world. We are in the world, but not of the world. Our citizenship is in heaven.
Assimilation is the process of one group taking cultural and other traits of a larger group. And the world is much larger than us. But we will not mix in… Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. (Mat 7:13-14)
We’ll continue to focus on the narrow way without stumbling onto the wide path that’s much easier to find and navigate—we will not be part of the mix.
Lord, thank you for making a way of forgiveness and protection. Give us the gift of discernment to accurately see the path you have put before us as you bear us along with your mighty hand. Adorn us in your armor and equip us with your sword. Amen.