NOT OF THIS WORLD

In Scripture. the term 'world' refers not only to the earth but the people who inhabit it. From the moment Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden, Satan became its ruler and the battle for man's soul began. 

Into this corrupt environment, Jesus came. 

God had not forsaken His sovereignty over creation. His will for mankind relied on an initial 'falling away' of the human race ... then a 'gathering together' of those who would trust Christ as Savior. It was the only way we could 'receive the spirit of adoption by which we can cry out, Abba Father!' (Romans 8:15)

Believers are 'in' the world ... but not 'of' it. 

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. Philippians 3:20-21

While we await His return, we are to be a light in this spiritually dark place ... living in such a way that those outside the faith see something different about us. 

Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason for the hope that is in you ... 1 Peter 3:15

Jesus prayed that we would be protected as we tread a perilous landscape ... 

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. I am not asking You to take them out of the world but to keep them away from the evil one. John 17:14-15 

The trials we face are part of living in this world, but our residency here is but a 'vapor' compared to eternity. Christians have a blessed hope even on the darkest of days ... 

Such hope never disappoints us, because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:5

Do everything to bring others into a 'not of this world' relationship with Jesus Christ.