What does it mean to be separated from the world while living in it

[Alithis]

What does it mean to be separated from the world while living in it ?
for me this has been an ongoing process of obedience which effects change which effect more obedience which affects more change .

never has separating oneself from the world not involved, obedience because the lord Knows best what things we each need to cut out of our lives to further be transformed into his image .And he is Always at work to bring about such transformation in us . we can never allow the good shepherd to achieve that change in us without listening to his voice and following him into that change .

 

[popsthebuilder]

Awesome. Indeed of the rightly guided. Moses, John the Baptist and Jesus of Nazareth and many others weren't lying we're they? (Rhetorical)

Very pleased to meet you. Is it possible? Also rhetorical.

Uhm... Let us converse, if you don't mind.

Thank you.

Faith in selfless Unity through Good

 

[tango]

What does it mean to be separated from the world while living in it ?
for me this has been an ongoing process of obedience which effects change which effect more obedience which affects more change .

never has separating oneself from the world not involved, obedience because the lord Knows best what things we each need to cut out of our lives to further be transformed into his image .And he is Always at work to bring about such transformation in us . we can never allow the good shepherd to achieve that change in us without listening to his voice and following him into that change .

I think it's more about our mind than things that might be observed from the outside.

I've seen some arguments from people (particularly on message boards) that are truly surreal. They say things like "we should not drink alcohol because the world drinks alcohol and we shouldn't be like the world" (they may substitute drinking alcohol for whatever activity they happen to dislike), and yet curiously the fact that the world uses the internet is lost on them. The world eats food, wears clothes, goes to work, and yet apparently we don't need to avoid doing any of those things.

Whereas "the world" would tend to regard the purpose of a job as being to accumulate wealth, we would be different in that we would regard the wealth as belonging to God. There's no reason why we can't have substantial wealth as a Christian, the question is what we would do if God were to tell us to start spending it on things that served his purposes rather than our own purposes. Many people talk of what Jesus said about serving two masters as meaning a Christian must not be wealthy whereas in fact I believe it is perfectly possible to be wealthy without serving Mammon. The way we figure whether we are serving God or serving Mammon is when God lays claim to the wealth we have accumulated (and whether "the wealth" is a billion dollar trust fund or $25 saved up in an envelope is irrelevant).

 

[visionary]

If all things are seen through His eyes, with His understanding, then it becomes more obvious the narrow walk of the believer. Yeshua was found among the sinners of His day, yet without being tainted by their sins. Our lives are not about living in a church bubble. Our lives are about living in this world and not being of this world. Because there are so many issues bombarding us from so many angles, any example is fraught with its limits to explain the encompassing world upon us. With discernment, that only the Lord can give, on a moment by moment basis, can we walk by faith. So the first thing would be to pray for His eyes to see, His ears to hear, and His wisdom to know how to handle all the various situations that are thrown our way in every day life. Pray without ceasing. Be still and know He is God. Watch and witness how He sees it, He hears it, and He understands it. These gifts are the best gifts. These gifts will answer more than anything said here on the forum.

 

[Alithis]

some points being raised .. though i risk the topic being hijacked ..the issue of drinking alcohol or not drinking alcohol is a good clear example to use in regard to the OP (original post ) .

Obedience to the lord effects change in us and the change that is effected is an increased willingness to further obedience ...recurring .
so IF in my life the lord ,who knows what is best for "my life" forbids me to drink alcohol .then he does so with my best eternal interest as his motive (for he is Love)
but that does not give me licence to impose that command to "my own heart" on others . however i can testify of the good it did me to cease and encourage others ( speaking to the general church goer)that any perceived dependency they have on alcohol is just that ..only perceived and there is little valid reason to partake of it . but i cannot /should not impose it as "a law" . But i can again testify of the goodness of God in my life and so encourage those that have come from a torrid background of alcohol abuse that life without alcohol is more enjoyable then life with it . and i can pray with sincerity for those who desperately need their lives to be freed from the abuse of it . which i cannot do with sincerity if i am imbibing it . only by abstinence can i do so..- much in terms of a type of fasting ,perhaps.

so my separation from the worldly type use of alcohol is of spiritual and eternal benefit to believer and unbeliever alike (remember the base topic is .. being separated from the world while living in it )

where im coming from is a person who drank freely ,without conscience, ..enjoyed a red wine with meals . a cold beer at a BBQ and on occasion tot of rum ... i avoided drunkenness but that's a grey area.
One day i went to the shops and while there thought id pick up a 6 pack of my local favorite ...AND the lord spoke to my heart and he said .."NO" ... that's all ,just "NO" .. i stood holding the 6 pack in my hand for a moment or two ..looking for reason to justify with all the usual perfectly good arguments as to why its ok to drink and not a sin etc blah blah . but i recalled from past admonishment from the lord that "it is better to obey then to sacrifice " .. so i said .. "yes lord " and it put it back on the shelf and have not purchased nor drunk since that moment ..

why -..has never been revealed to me .only the lord said to my heart "NO"and he "separated" me from it . and because he has always loved me so much through all my past struggles and sins and caused me to love him ..i loved him and obeyed ..

i have found this in times before that and time since that ... that he is separating me from the world more and more ..more and more he asks of me the giving up of things and behaviours and entertainments ...things of every spectrum of life within the worlds mindset .. not all at once but ever increasingly more . it seems as we become separated from "worldliness" we also become more willing to be separated.

one huge error we can make is the error of self justifying reasons to not "listen and do ".., to not follow our shepherd as he shepherds our soul ever further out of this world and closer into his heart .

 

[psalms 91]

Spot on, a great thread

 

[visionary]

I like the "obey is better than sacrifice". That is a mental attitude, for sacrifice means giving up something you didn't want to, while obedience is a positive action and attitude towards the command.

 

[Alithis]

I like the "obey is better than sacrifice". The is a mental attitude, for sacrifice means giving up something you didn't want to, while obedience is a positive action and attitude to the command.

its one of my fav versus .. but id never quite seen that aspect .. thank you for pointing it out

 

[charis en excelcis]

In Christ, I am separated from the world. Perhaps a better way to express this is, how do I walk in a manner worthy of my calling. A verse that I find helpful is, "walk in the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." I pray that what will set me apart in the eyes of others will be the fruit of the Spirit in my life. All the other destinctions will flow from that fruit.

 

[Alithis]

In Christ, I am separated from the world. Perhaps a better way to express this is, how do I walk in a manner worthy of my calling. A verse that I find helpful is, "walk in the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." I pray that what will set me apart in the eyes of others will be the fruit of the Spirit in my life. All the other distinctions will flow from that fruit.

yes by faith we are seperated .. but then we are also "in" the world .
so if we live as the world lives & do as the world does - are we being separate or conjoined ? the later methinks .

so being separated is walking a different path upon the earth .separated from the path the world around us walks .

 

[charis en excelcis]

yes by faith we are seperated .. but then we are also "in" the world .
so if we live as the world lives & do as the world does - are we being separate or conjoined ? the later methinks .

so being separated is walking a different path upon the earth .separated from the path the world around us walks .

How will the world know that Jesus is our Lord if we walk in darkness?

 

[Alithis]

How will the world know that Jesus is our Lord if we walk in darkness?

Huh? They wouldnt.
is why we must be seperate while in it.

 

[Matt.5:9]

I think I've read every post here, as far as I know. What an AWESOME thread, and I gotta say I agree... especially post #5. I can identify with that because I remember vividly the night when the Holy Spirit convicted me of drinking alcohol. I will never forget that! It was so powerful. I'd love to tell the whole story, but t'would take a long time. In short.... I was in a bar, an old favorite of mine for many years before I became a Christian. As a Christian I went there only a couple of times, but that last time (Jan. 20th '96) was when the Holy Spirit told me; "You don't belong here." "This is not you anymore." In my heart I just knew it was wrong for me to be there, and to be drinking alcohol. I do not believe that alcohol has a place in a Christian's life, but I also don't try to shove that down anyone's throat (pardon the pun). I know it's wrong for me to impose my convictions on someone else, but at the same time, I have no qualms about sharing my experiences and beliefs about it. What I'm saying is that everyone that knows me knows how I feel about alcohol and the bar scene. I am not of that "world" anymore, so therefore am set apart from it by the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Also, it comes from a heartfelt desire to obey the Lord God and show my love for Him. So, it's out of love that I do not drink. I do find it somewhat difficult to convey that sentiment to others who yet are involved with that lifestyle and claim to be Christians. I could use some help with this, so if anyone has any advice, I'd love to hear it.

 

[Alithis]

I think I've read every post here, as far as I know. What an AWESOME thread, and I gotta say I agree... especially post #5. I can identify with that because I remember vividly the night when the Holy Spirit convicted me of drinking alcohol. I will never forget that! It was so powerful. I'd love to tell the whole story, but t'would take a long time. In short.... I was in a bar, an old favorite of mine for many years before I became a Christian. As a Christian I went there only a couple of times, but that last time (Jan. 20th '96) was when the Holy Spirit told me; "You don't belong here." "This is not you anymore." In my heart I just knew it was wrong for me to be there, and to be drinking alcohol. I do not believe that alcohol has a place in a Christian's life, but I also don't try to shove that down anyone's throat (pardon the pun). I know it's wrong for me to impose my convictions on someone else, but at the same time, I have no qualms about sharing my experiences and beliefs about it. What I'm saying is that everyone that knows me knows how I feel about alcohol and the bar scene. I am not of that "world" anymore, so therefore am set apart from it by the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Also, it comes from a heartfelt desire to obey the Lord God and show my love for Him. So, it's out of love that I do not drink. I do find it somewhat difficult to convey that sentiment to others who yet are involved with that lifestyle and claim to be Christians. I could use some help with this, so if anyone has any advice, I'd love to hear it.

how you conveyed that need not be /i think cannot be improved -honest .straightforward filled with love and truth ...testimony cannot be bettered .
and it's always so exciting for me to here someone testify of the lord speaking personally to their heart and effecting change toward holiness in their life .

 

[Matt.5:9]

how you conveyed that need not be /i think cannot be improved -honest .straightforward filled with love and truth ...testimony cannot be bettered .
and it's always so exciting for me to here someone testify of the lord speaking personally to their heart and effecting change toward holiness in their life .

Agreed! And thanks for your comments. I just feel like there is more I should say when confronted with this issue... or one like it. On this forum I've written my testimony about watching horror movies and being involved with Halloween practices. I have strong personal convictions against such things, and I know it came to me from the Holy Spirit... as did my use of alcohol. I do try my best to always convey the message with love and express an understanding that I am not judging anyone... just trying to help them. God is the righteous judge, not me. I am simply His vessel through which He can work. I pray He uses me in any way He can or wants to. I'm far from perfect, but am moving forward, which is always a good thing. I like to see others move forward with the Lord Jesus too.

 

[Alithis]

Agreed! And thanks for your comments. I just feel like there is more I should say when confronted with this issue... or one like it. On this forum I've written my testimony about watching horror movies and being involved with Halloween practices. I have strong personal convictions against such things, and I know it came to me from the Holy Spirit... as did my use of alcohol. I do try my best to always convey the message with love and express an understanding that I am not judging anyone... just trying to help them. God is the righteous judge, not me. I am simply His vessel through which He can work. I pray He uses me in any way He can or wants to. I'm far from perfect, but am moving forward, which is always a good thing. I like to see others move forward with the Lord Jesus too.

the lord has been taking me ( and my household) through a process of separation from the movie and entertainment scene .. it happens as slow as out obedience or as swift as our obedience ..that is sad .it should be swift and it is speeding up.
but i agree with the whole concept fully..
im replying quick and short because i must go for now .. will continue later.

 

[Hebrews 11]

To me the verse is a allegory,the World not being the physical earth but the temporal world around us.

Satan is the God of this World for now,in a Spiritual context.

This is why when we are in Christ we are citizens of Heaven, with a temporary existence on earth.

 

[charis en excelcis]

To me the verse is a allegory,the World not being the physical earth but the temporal world around us.

Satan is the God of this World for now,in a Spiritual context.

This is why when we are in Christ we are citizens of Heaven, with a temporary existence on earth.

In the Greek, there are two words. Kosmos, which almost always is speaking of the worldly system and has a negative connotation, and gaia which means earth and never has a negative connotation. What you are saying is aligned with this.

 

[Alithis]

To me the verse is a allegory,the World not being the physical earth but the temporal world around us.

Satan is the God of this World for now,in a Spiritual context.

This is why when we are in Christ we are citizens of Heaven, with a temporary existence on earth.

yes ,sorry ..i assumed most would know we speak of being separated from the ways of the temporal system(world) around us .. for it has no desire to glory in anything but the flesh and sin.

and it is far more then just allegorical it is founded in the everlasting wisdom of truth