The Christian & the World

~ Three Roles with Three Implications ~  

Christians are saints and are to be separate from the world system, subject to their leaders, and servants like their Lord.

Saints:  “To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 1:7). “To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:2-3). [And other similar passages.]

Separate:  “‘Don't become partners with those who reject God. How can you make a partnership out of right and wrong? That’s not partnership; that’s war. Is light best friends with dark? Does Christ go strolling with the Devil? Do trust and mistrust hold hands? Who would think of setting up pagan idols in God’s holy Temple? But that is exactly what we are, each of us a temple in whom God lives. God Himself put it this way: ‘I’ll live in them, move into them; I’ll be their God and they'll be My people. So leave the corruption and compromise; leave it for good,’ says God. ‘Don't link up with those who will pollute you. I want you all for Myself. I’ll be a Father to you; you’ll be sons and daughters to Me.’ The Word of the Master, God” (2 Corinthians 6:14-18, The Message). Jesus said, “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” (John 17:14). “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world” (John 17:16).

Subjects  ~  Christians are to be in subjection to their leaders and obedient to the laws of the land. “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God” (Romans 13:1). “Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work” (Titus 3:1). 

Servants  ~  Christians are to be like their Lord and provide service to those around them in the world. “So Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you’” (John 20:21). “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

summary:  Our role as saints demands separation. Our role as subjects demands obedience. Our role of becoming increasingly Christ-like demands service to others.

How about you? Are you separate, obedient, and serving?

What other key roles and resulting implications can you suggest?

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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