John 17: 14-19: "I have given your word to them, but the world has hated them, because they are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world.
15 “I request you, not to take them out of the world, but to watch over them because of the wicked one. 16 They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world. 17 Sanctify them by means of the truth; your word is truth. 18 Just as you sent me forth into the world, I also sent them forth into the world. 19 And I am sanctifying myself in their behalf, that they also may be sanctified by means of truth."
From that Scripture, what does being no part of the world mean to you? ...and do you believe that we can live in this world without really being a part of this world?
2006-12-25 15:41:17 · 5 answers · asked by wannaknow 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
To be no part of the world means to be led by God and put his will ahead of any desire to fit in or please other people. It means to refrain from getting involved in politics (Jesus ran when they tried to make him king). Satan is currently the ruler of the world we live in and compromising with him and all the lies he promotes is not an option for anyone who is truly following in Jesus' footsteps.
2006-12-25 18:03:01 · answer #1 · answered by Sparkle1 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is a subtle question. There's a difference between "world" that means this earth, and "world" that means world system hostile to God.
A good parallel passage, on the meaning of the "world", also penned by the Apostle and Disciple John, is First John 2:15-17.
Christians, followers of Christ, are not OF the world (better translation; "of" means source, or driving motivation). Originally Christians were born into this world, and were of this world. Now they are born again, and are children of God. Again, "world" does not mean place (like nature, this earth); it means "world-system" that is hostile to God. Christian are sent into the world to serve God in enemy territory. Therefore, Christians are not to have the same goals and values as those not born again. Christians are not to have as their life goals fame, fortune, popularity, power. Christians are, nevertheless, in this world, and therefore can be involved in similar activities, for example, writing, acting, singing, painting, the finance world, other ways of making a living. But their goals should be different: They serve God, and do not serve themselves in lust and pride.
2006-12-25 16:29:39 · answer #2 · answered by Bill 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
According to the Christian philosophy, men have fallen from the grace of God by the way of original sin and come to Earth -- thus our real home is Eden or Heaven. We are no part of this world because our real home is Heaven.
By the means of Truth, we enable ourselves to cleanse our spirits to get back in Heaven.
People have often hated the prophets and the apostles (at least the real ones) because they tell the Truth. I think he was talking about protecting them from the hateful people.
2006-12-25 15:46:15 · answer #3 · answered by WaterStrider 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus meant that his followers shouldn't follow the trends and attitudes of non-believers such as: fornicating, getting involved in political affairs, stealing, lying. Although we have to live among people who are non-belivers, like I said we should not be imitating their ungodly behaviors.
2006-12-25 15:48:48 · answer #4 · answered by sunny4life 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My bible says in those verses, we are NOT of this world. I have always thought that it meant it is because we are spiritual, and marked by God, we belong to him.
2006-12-25 15:47:32 · answer #5 · answered by tooyoung2bagrannybabe 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋