When Jesus said He is not of this world, are we supposed to 'Not be in this world' like Him I am confused about this saying of Jesus. What does it really mean.
We live on earth we are in this world but not of this world. meaning the ways of the world. To be a friend of this world is to be an enemy to God. All that is in the world is the lust of the flesh, the lust if the eye and pride of life. When you're born again you have a different spirit. You are not the same you have the spirit of God in you. look up theses scriptures. James 4:41 John 2:15 Romans12:2
Romans 12:2 - And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
1 John 2:15 - Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
James 4:4 - Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Colossians 2:8 - Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Matthew 6:24 - No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
In John 17:16, Jesus said, "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world."
Wow! Just as Christ was in it, but was not of it, we also are in it, but we are not of it, which is why when we try to go back out into the world, we don't fit in. Have you ever heard anyone say something like, "Ever since I became a Christian, ever since I surrendered to Christ, I don't fit in anymore with the old crowd, or the old activities?" They try to fit in, but then they are told that they are different now. They try to fit in with the non-believing crowd, and they have difficulty doing so. Some even lose friends and family.
That's because we are no longer of the world. Our source of life is Christ. We are experiencing ZOE life in the midst of BIOS people. Them who are of this world are only existing like animals exist! The highest level of life that a human being can reach without Christ is a sophisticated animal. A person can go to college, they can be trained how to act pretty sophisticated, but a life without Christ is an empty life, a worldly life. But just as Jesus said He is not of this world; we also are not of this world if we belong to Him.
There's a lot being said in those scriptures and also these!
John 15:18-21.
If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
IF YE WERE OF THE WORLD, THE WORLD WOULD LOVE HIS OWN: BUT BECAUSE YE ARE NOT OF THE WORLD, BUT I HAVE CHOSEN YOU OUT OF THE WORLD, THEREFORE THE WORLD HATETH YOU.
Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
They hated the Lord without a cause!! They hated him for telling the truth! John 8:42-47.
Galatians 4:16-20.
John 15:26.
John 16:12-15.
It shouldn't be surprising when we see hatred from the world and those of the world gravitate toward one of the other and those that are Christ gravitate toward one another!
Here's why!
John 15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.
John 4:20-21.
If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
1 John 2:3-11.
If Christ spirit doesn't CAUSE you to Love one another then perhaps the world spirit and the father of lies stand in the way.
When the Spirit of truth is taken out of the way then the father of lies will be revealed.
This world is physical , sensual . We are not to place toomuch importance on it and the things that pertain to it . People who don't know the Truth , only know this world . They only think about satisfying their physical needs , and things that they think they need . People who don't know the Truth are made happy by material things , houses cars clothes jewellery etc because they don't have anything else to get happiness from . They live for today , many are nice people but they are still just feeding off the material world . We have better things to look forward to , we are aware of God , our Creator , and His plan for this , His earth , that it shall be filled with His glory . We can be with Him in His Kingdom forever . These Truths are our treasure , not houses or cars or jewellery etc . When they die they leave all their stuff to someone else , everything they worked for and lusted after , it means nothing in the end , it's just stuff . God and His promises are true and everlasting and faithful and we can be with Him in love forever . That's real treasure , His love and to be with Him forever .
What you said is very true. Everything we work hard for in this life, the worldly things we covet after, it's all vanity. I completely agree with you, Amen!
Thank you for explaining "we are not of this world" I am an artist I create artwork I was told often that it is a gift from God. I am also a Christian, but I noticed that where I go to church, they focus more on the Virgin Mary than on Jesus and Almighty God. I don't think they read the Holy Bible either. Some of them are wealthy and do help poor people and some are very kind. Some own their own homes as well. It seems that they love God and keep His commandments.
My question is, is it ok to have money if one is helping the poor with it?
Is it ok to own our home if we need more room?
Does Jesus want us to be poor?
Does Jesus expect us to be on welfare because without money we will have to depend on Welfare?
Does Jesus want us to be not ambitious?
Does Jesus want us to be on the street because without money that is where we will be?
Stu , I may be wrong so please forgive me if I am , it sounds as if you attend a Catholic Church ? They are not famous for encouraging their members to read the Bible . Christians do not have to be poor , however we must recognise the true treasure and set our hearts upon it . When Christ returns and we are called to go with him , many if us will still be alive in this world , how will we feel being taken away from our homes , our families our jobs our cars our holidays etc , will we look back at what we are leaving behind , just like Lots wife did ? Or will we run forwards to meet our Saviour with open arms and our eyes on him ? God knows that we need food and shelter etc , if we put our trust in Him He will provide for all of our needs , but do we need extravagant jewellery ? The latest model car ? Designer outfits ? Expensive holidays ? The latest technology gadgets ? Please forgive me again for being so forward , you say you go to church and I totally believe you , though you don't sound as if you have much Bible knowledge . The Bible will teach you the answers to all your questions so much better than I can , go to it , it is the Living Word of your God . A message from Him to you . Dive in and learn and rejoice in God's love and mercy and generosity towards you and find out how little He asks of you in return . May God bless your efforts to draw closer to Him .
Romans 12:2 - And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
1 John 2:15 - Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
James 4:4 - Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Colossians 2:8 - Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Matthew 6:24 - No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
In John 17:16, Jesus said, "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world."
Wow! Just as Christ was in it, but was not of it, we also are in it, but we are not of it, which is why when we try to go back out into the world, we don't fit in. Have you ever heard anyone say something like, "Ever since I became a Christian, ever since I surrendered to Christ, I don't fit in anymore with the old crowd, or the old activities?" They try to fit in, but then they are told that they are different now. They try to fit in with the non-believing crowd, and they have difficulty doing so. Some even lose friends and family.
That's because we are no longer of the world. Our source of life is Christ. We are experiencing ZOE life in the midst of BIOS people. Them who are of this world are only existing like animals exist! The highest level of life that a human being can reach without Christ is a sophisticated animal. A person can go to college, they can be trained how to act pretty sophisticated, but a life without Christ is an empty life, a worldly life. But just as Jesus said He is not of this world; we also are not of this world if we belong to Him.
There's a lot being said in those scriptures and also these!
John 15:18-21.
If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
IF YE WERE OF THE WORLD, THE WORLD WOULD LOVE HIS OWN: BUT BECAUSE YE ARE NOT OF THE WORLD, BUT I HAVE CHOSEN YOU OUT OF THE WORLD, THEREFORE THE WORLD HATETH YOU.
Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
They hated the Lord without a cause!! They hated him for telling the truth! John 8:42-47.
Galatians 4:16-20.
John 15:26.
John 16:12-15.
It shouldn't be surprising when we see hatred from the world and those of the world gravitate toward one of the other and those that are Christ gravitate toward one another!
Here's why!
John 15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.
John 4:20-21.
If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
1 John 2:3-11.
If Christ spirit doesn't CAUSE you to Love one another then perhaps the world spirit and the father of lies stand in the way.
When the Spirit of truth is taken out of the way then the father of lies will be revealed.
God bless.
What you said is very true. Everything we work hard for in this life, the worldly things we covet after, it's all vanity. I completely agree with you, Amen!
My question is, is it ok to have money if one is helping the poor with it?
Is it ok to own our home if we need more room?
Does Jesus want us to be poor?
Does Jesus expect us to be on welfare because without money we will have to depend on Welfare?
Does Jesus want us to be not ambitious?
Does Jesus want us to be on the street because without money that is where we will be?
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