can you be part of the world & still be a christian?

Question

THE Bible comments on this so whats your understanding?

Answer 1

no. you live for God or for the world. you cant do both.

Answer 2

This is not possible and the reason why is conveyed in this verse at James 4:4 it says Adultresses, do YOU not know that the friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever, therefore, wants to be a friend of the world is constituting himself an enemy of God. The world we live in has proven to be immoral and there is alot of acceptance of this. Though the true God would never tolerate these practices. True Christians are no part of the world just as Jesus was no part of the world (John 17:16) and steer clear of all it's filthy practices.

Answer 3

In a word, No. Jesus said that his followers were no part of the world (John 15:19, John 17:14)
James goes even further showing that friendship with the world is spiritual adultery and even having a desire to be a friend of the world makes one a enemy of God. (James 4:4)

True, we live in the midst of human society, which includes fornicators, adulterers, extortioners, idolaters, thieves, liars, and drunkards. (1 Corinthians 5:9-11; 6:9-11) But we do not breathe in “the spirit of the world,” for we are not driven by this sinful motivating force.—1 Corinthians 2:12.

Answer 4

When translated from the Greek word ko' smos, "world" can mean
(1) humankind as a whole, apart from their moral condition or course of life,
(2) the framework of human circumstances into which a person is born and in which he lives, or
(3) the mass of mankind apart from Jehovah's approved servants.
Some Bible translators have conveyed inaccurate impressions by also using "world" as the equivalent
of Greek terms that mean "earth," "inhabited earth," and "system of things."

The attitude of true Christians toward the world and toward ppl who r part of the world;
"You [Jesus' followers] are no part of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world."
Thus true Christians r no part of the mass of human society that is alienated from God. They care for normal human actitivies, but they shun attitudes, speech, and conduct that r characteristic of the world and that conflict w/ Jehovah's righteous ways.
So, no, unless of course, you r a false Christian.
Prov. 2:21,22: "The upright are the ones that will reside in the earth, and the blameless are the ones that will be left over in it. As regards the wicked, they will be cut off from the very earth: and as for the treacherous, they will be torn away from it."

Answer 5

No. At John 17:16, the Bible says, "You are no part of the world, just as I am not part of the world." Jesus said that, and since Jesus is no part of the world, we should be no part of the world too.

Answer 6

16 Paul wrote: “Bad associations spoil useful habits.” By making this statement, he was warning believers that they could lose their faith by associating with professed Christians who rejected the Scriptural teaching about the resurrection. The principle behind Paul’s warning applies to our associations both outside and inside the congregation. (1 Corinthians 15:12, 33) Naturally, we do not want to shun our spiritual brothers and sisters because they do not happen to agree with some purely personal view that we hold. (Matthew 7:4, 5; Romans 14:1-12) Nevertheless, caution is needed if some in the congregation engage in questionable conduct or display a bitter or complaining spirit. (2 Timothy 2:20-22) It is wise to stay close to those with whom we can enjoy “an interchange of encouragement.” (Romans 1:11, 12) This will help us to pursue a virtuous course and remain on “the path of life.”—Psalm 16:11.

Keep On Pursuing Virtue

17 Shortly before the Israelites took possession of the Promised Land, thousands of them chose to pursue vice—and suffered disaster. (Numbers, chapter 25) Today, Jehovah’s people stand at the threshold of the righteous new world. Entry into it will be the blessed privilege of those who continue to reject this world’s vices. As imperfect humans, we may have wrong inclinations, but God can help us to follow the righteous leadings of his holy spirit. (Galatians 5:16; 1 Thessalonians 4:3, 4) Let us therefore heed Joshua’s exhortation to Israel: “Fear Jehovah and serve him in faultlessness and in truth.” (Joshua 24:14) Reverential fear of displeasing Jehovah will help us to pursue a virtuous course.

18 If it is your heart’s desire to please God, be determined to heed Paul’s exhortation: “Whatever things are true, whatever things are of serious concern, whatever things are righteous, whatever things are chaste, whatever things are lovable, whatever things are well spoken of, whatever virtue there is and whatever praiseworthy thing there is, continue considering these things.” If you do this, what will be the result? Said Paul: “Practice these; and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8, 9) Yes, with Jehovah’s help you can reject vice and pursue virtue.

[Footnote]

See The Watchtower, April 15, 1993, pages 19-24, and the series “Young People Ask . . . ” in Awake! of February 8, February 22, and March 22, 1993, and November 22, 1996.

Answer 7

No. The Bible says love not the world neither the things that are in the world..
The Bible is clear that to follow Christ requires all our attention.

Answer 8

It is very hard to do what your talking about. We look out at the world and see all sorts of things where supposed to reject and how readily the world accepts them and lets the flourish yet when you look at the flip side i respect thoughs living a monastic life away from the world but i kind of feel it is a rejection of what christ said when he said to go out into the world and help the people where ever you go in my name. Your best bet is show more "contemptus mundie" (contempt for the world) but not in the sence that a direct translation presents. You can live in the world around you but you shouldent accpet or embrace the things that christ rejected. Be more frugal with your money and give more to charitys or your church (remember the woman with who gave away 2 pennys to the temple how she gave almost all she owned and was there fore giving just the surplus as many were doing). Dont give in to peer presure (even if your in your 40s its still out there). And most of all, like what saint francis said, preach the gospel at all times... and when absoulutly neccisary use words (meening to simply live a good and moral life not preeching on street cornors but by example). All ways Pray and simply remmeber that christ is with you always even when your strolling through the mall on a sat. afternoon.

I wish you luck as you walk this balance beam between 2 very differnt worlds but never stop praying and always rely on christ.

Answer 9

Simple answer: No.

Why?

Jesus was rejected, hated and even persecuted by this world. So what could his followers expect? He told them: “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were part of the world, the world would be fond of what is its own. Now because you are no part of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, on this account the world hates you.

Bear in mind the word I said to you, A slave is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will persecute you also; if they have observed my word, they will observe yours also.”—John 15:18-20.

Jesus’ true followers differ greatly from this world; sinful human society alienated from God. So much is this the case that Christ’s disciples are hated and persecuted by this world. But in being unworldly, Jesus’ followers are adhering to his superlative example, and Jehovah God watches over them in keeping with Christ’s prayer: “I request you, not to take them out of the world, but to watch over them because of the wicked one. They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world. Sanctify them by means of the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:15-17.

This is a challenge faced daily by true Christians because of the burdens we bear daily in just trying to "hold on". We're tired but try valiantly not to give in to temptation or anger. We must continue to wear the suit of armor not giving into the world.

Answer 10

Yes, to be a Christian you must be involved with the world, especially spreading the Good News to others.

Answer 11

Well, considering that Jesus himself said that his kingdom was no part of the world and prayed for Jehovah to watch over his followers who were no part of the world (even though they had to operate within it), I'd imagine that it's not truly possible.