“And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of God/” 1 Corinthians 6:11
Dear Ones
“Limits” and points of compromise, have always been issues that the true Christian has had to deal with. On the one hand, having been born of the Spirit, the believer IS separated unto God, that he should live for Him. On the other hand, what is the Christian to be and to do, when in circumstances that are a total contradiction to Christ? From a Biblical standpoint, we always must begin with the Scriptures, and the Lord Himself as our truth, and example, of how we are to live in this world, respecting the limits that God sets for us, but also staying clear of the compromises with the world, which can grieve the Spirit of God. Where do we begin? It is in the Garden of Eden, and a truth which the Apostle Paul brings so clearly before us. When Adam sinned, he passed down to mankind a nature that was in opposition to God. Everyone of Adam’s descendants was, in God’s sight, “in Adam.” In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, he introduces us to the truth of what one becomes when he or she is saved, coming through to a true knowledge of Christ, placing one’s faith only and wholly in Him. He writes thus: “But of God, are ye IN CHRIST JESUS…” (1:30) Why is this change or position in the eyes of God so very important? First and foremost is the fact, in the eyes of God, that the believer has been saved from the judgment and condemnation of Adam’s sin. At the same instant, being placed into Jesus Christ by the Father, working by the Spirit, Christ has become the believer’s life, sphere of existence, both with regard to life’s meaning, and the very means by which to live. Adam’s descendants were prisoners of the “prince of the power of the air,” (Eph. 2:2) At the same time they “…walked according to the course of this world.” The Apostle Paul makes it very clear that this is true of every sinner born on earth, the Lord Jesus being the only exception. The wonderful news of the Gospel, all based on the power of Christ’s indestructible life and work, is that the believer has been delivered from being a participant in Adam’s sin, and consequent death. The believer is a new creature, or creation, having no point of reference to the past in Adam, but only IN Christ. So then, how are we to live in this world? How are we to be IN the world, but not OF the world?
In Jesus’ great “Hight Priestly” prayer, provided to us in John’s gospel, we read: “I pray not that Thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldest keep them from the evil.” (v. 15) The Lord goes on to say, “They are not of this world, even as I am not of this world.” (v.16) We discover by this prayer that God has called the believer to come out of “the world.” It is because the world system, with its values and means, has no rapport or reference to Christ. And yet, though not of this worldly, godless system, the believer is called upon to shine as a light on a hill, holding forth the word of life, being a bright light in the world.
In speaking of the kingdom of God, Paul wrote: “Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you…” (1 Cor. 6:9,10,11) Why is he saying this? He makes the distinction of being IN the world, but not OF it. The believer is called to be separate from sin, and the world, but at the same time, to live in the world, above the world, showing forth Christ’s saving life in its power.
Dear Father, Open our eyes to see what it means to be wholly Christ’s. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad