The Christian’s Relationship To The World
By: T.R. Kelley

Bible Lesson: The Christian’s Relationship To The World

James 4:4 – “…whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”

Note: The word “world” in this passage of scripture is pertaining to the mundane, and could easily have been interpreted “worldliness.”

If You Are A Friend Of Worldliness, You Are An Enemy Of God!

Remember – There is, however, a true relationship of Christians to the world. It would better be described as a mission.

Bible Reading: John 17

The Christians Relationship To The World

I. They Are Taken Out Of The World

(v.6) – “The men which thou gavest me Out Of The World.”

1. These people were taken out of the lap of the evil one.

a. They were being coddled by the illusions and guided by the false principles of the god of this world.

2. They were given His kingdom, which is Righteousness, Peace, & Joy In The Holy Ghost.

REMEMBER – You are in the world, but not of the world!

II. They Are Distinguished From The World

(v.9) – “I pray for them: I pray not for the world.”

NOTE: While the Lord has the love of pity for the world, He has the love of pleasure for His own.

Remember – All Things Work Together For Good To Them That Love The Lord.

III. They Are In The World

(v.11) – “But these are in the world.”

Note: They are in the world, not as a branch in the vine, but as a light in the darkness.

– In the world, not as a “man of the world,” but as a “man of God.”

IV. They Are Hated By The World

(v.14) – “The world hath hated them, because they are not of the world.”

Note: There Was No Hatred Until Jesus Had Given Them The Word Of God.

– “I have given them Thy Word, and the world hath hated them.”

REMEMBER – The hatred of the world is a trifling matter to those whose hearts are filled with the love of God.

V. They Are Kept From The God Of This World

(v.15, R.V.) – “I pray… that thou shouldest keep them from the evil one.”
NOTE: He does not pray that they should be taken out of this world, but kept from the evil one who rules in it.

VI. They Are Sent Into The World

(v.18) – “As Thou hast sent Me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.”

*** Every Holy Ghost-filled person is sent to, and should, preach (or testify) about the good tidings of God; (see also LUKE 4:18).

Note: Read Ii Corinthians 5:20

– As Jesus was an ambassador for heaven, so also are we for him.

As He was sent into the world to seek and to save that which was lost, so also are we.

“As My Father Hath Sent Me, Even So Send I You” (John 20:21).

Vii. They Are Filled With God’s Spirit For The Salvation Of The World

(v.23) – “I in them, and Thou in Me…that the world may know.”

*** When we are filled with the Holy Ghost we are to shed abroad the love of God in our hearts, (see ROMANS 5:5).

NOTE: The one thing that this world needs to know is THE LOVE OF GOD; not only God’s love to the world, but His love to them that love Him.

REMEMBER – The Christian’s relationship to this cold, Christ-neglecting world is one of concern for them in their lost condition; and in which the love of God is shed abroad IN OUR HEARTS, and OUT THROUGH OUR HEARTS To Direct Them BACK TO A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.

(The above material was published by Calvary Tabernacle.)

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