Can you be "in the church" but "of the world"?

Question

John 15:19 says that the world will hate us. If we really love God, will people that are worldly be uncomfortable around us? And conversly, if we are very comfortable around people openly sinning....what does that say about us? I wanted to continue the thought from another question a brother of mine put up which has REALLY made me think........

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071027081847AAa66KX&r=w#IJprJVr.WUkIVkOHir8O

Answer 1

Can you be "in the church" but "of the world"?

You cannot serve two masters.

In 1 John 5:4,5 “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?”
Take note that we are told that we are to overcome the “world”, since we are to overcome the “world” why would we even want to be part of the world?
Being in the “church” to me means that we are part of the body of Christ. Thus was follow Christ and we keep His commands. If we are doing this then we cannot be part of the “world” nor should one even want to be.
Revelation 3:12 has this to say “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.”
Notice that if we overcomeeth then some really great gifts will be given to those who “overcome”.
What do they overcome?
They overcome the “world”.
Peace and Grace
David

Answer 2

Being in the church to me is being in a building or following religion. So you can be in the church and be in the world. But to really love God, you need a relationship with Him. To have followed Him and be in the world is very dangerous. The backslidden state opens one up to more than if they had never believed. I don't think people will be too uncomfortable around us if we love God. But I think those that are influenced directly by demonic forces will be...as the demons will act up. To be around worldly people is inevitable. But being around "worldly" believers is forbidden. And we should be uneasy around those openly sinning.

Answer 3

Not the true "church" which is the Body of Christ! Not only will sinners be uncomfortable, but the religious as well who are merely playing a role.
I honestly think the religious are worse than the sinner. When someone is walking in darkness the light of the glorious Gospel will bring discomfort. When someone is wounded salt burns but aids in healing.
We are not called to a popularity contest as some church growth movements are teaching many, but to be salt and light.

Answer 4

As for now, yes, we co-exist, but the Bible does say that things will eventually get worse for believers. Look at how people treated Jesus. What does that tell you.
I don't think people are "comfortable" with knowing that people sin. They just don't acknowledge it. If we did and said things about it, other than sharing the word, is, I think bordering judgement and it is not supposed to be for us to do so, although we do. It's really hard to stay the straight and narrow. All we can do is try and ask for forgiveness.

This is on the message board at a local church: "Every saint has a past; every sinner has a future."

Answer 5

Hi Beth.

Without a personal relationship with Christ it is easy to be attending a church but very much in the world. Yes, their are many unconverted so call Christians in churches today. Jesus once said that the wheat and tares will grow up together in the church. God himself will separate the genuine christians from those who make a mere profession of faith but deny the power of God.

Their are many people who have their names written on a church membership roll but their heart is far from God.

We are living in a time characterize by the Laodicean church. The church of the lukewarm. Christ says in Revelation 3:14-16, that the lukewarm christian will be spit out of his mouth.

Answer 6

You could be, but you shouldn't be. Because the bible tells us to be in the world, but not of the world. (John 17:14-16)(John 12:46)
John 17:14-16 Here Jesus says ... :

14 "I have given and delivered to them Your word (message) and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world [do not belong to the world], just as I am not of the world.

15 I do not ask that You will take them out of the world, but that You will keep and protect them from the evil one.

16 They are not of the world (worldly, belonging to the world), [just] as I am not of the world"

Clearly (as he does not want us taken out of the world.) we are to still remain in it. Though not be OF it. And there is a difference.

And as far as others probably being uncomfortable around you because of your love for God. That would make sense...even if they were uncomfortable around you and didn't even necessarily no why. The spirit (or spirits) in them won't agree with the Holy Spirit that's in you. So it definitely can make a person a little uncomfortable at times. And you will run into things like that. But that's not the case with all people, because some people. though they may be living in sin, may welcome the spirit of Christ...because they might be really deep down inside want to get their life right with God. So they are looking at you as an example and stuff.
But for most of the world (who is not trying to get their lives right with God) Jesus said this regarding them and His spirit (which he caused to live in us)...

John 14:17
17 The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart), because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him. But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you [constantly] and will be in you.

God Bless you my dear

Answer 7

When a spirit filled God fearing Christian, sanctified to the will of God comes in contact with the world then those of the world are forced to deal with the light. The light, which is Christ dwelling in us, shines upon the dark soul of the unbeliever, thus revealing the true contents of the soul. The darkness hates the light, and due to that those with darkness in their hearts will hate those with true light. So the answer to you question, you cannot be of Christ, and yet of the world. Good question, and God Bless.

Answer 8

You can be in the church and of the world! However, that answer is based upon what man calls church, not what God defines a church as.

In reading your Bible and seeing the definition of church according to the Bible in the words of God and Christ... one can not be in the church and of the world because being in the church as defined by God and Christ is walking in faith and believing of the words of God and Christ... therefore, one can not be of the world if in the true church as defined by God or Christ.

Answer 9

Do you mean to sit in the church and not be in Christ, of course , most Christians are not in Christ, they think they are, but they are only religiously doing the things that real Christians do, but when the trials come, they have no power to do nothing. Being in Christ means the whole package, you will have power and when someone is in Christ , it shows when the pressure shows up.

Answer 10

Of course to me of the world means participating in social action and change as part of ones religious mission. An example is the Sojourner Movement, the Quakers or Unitarians.