(John 15: 18-25, John 13:34-35).
We are not to be of this world. We are to be in this world, but not of this world. These are phrases that we hear often as Christians, but what do they really mean? How do we live in but not of the world?
Recently, in our Connection Service at Clarkesville First UMC, we have been unpacking this idea. We have talked about how weird it would be if an alien, who was created to live on another planet, were to come to earth. It would have to look different from us as other planets experience much harsher climate conditions than we do on earth. Therefore, we determined, it would stand out quite a bit (not to mention the fact that it was an alien coming to earth). What we are describing is all part of our physical description. So how do we, as Christians, stand out in a world where we are surrounded by others who look like us?
18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.20 Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of my name , for they do not know the one who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father as well. 24 If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. 25 But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated me without reason.’
Jesus knew that what he was asking His disciples to do would be a great sacrifice. He was asking them to look different from the rest of the world at the expense of their comfort. He was asking them to withstand persecution from those who do not understand. He was asking His disciples to love unconditionally, to forgive graciously, and to serve one another generously despite how they might be treated.
This behavior is not what our world is used to. In fact, it is so foreign to some people that it’s as if they are witnessing someone who isn’t of this world, maybe even an alien. Jesus was not of this world. He came to earth as both fully man and fully God for the purpose of living the perfect life, dying to pay for our sins, and paving the way for us to have a relationship with the Father. Jesus lived and loved differently from those whom he encountered. He didn’t always do the popular thing or hang out with the most worthy people. He went out of his way to show love to the marginalized in the society at that time, and he shared meals with corrupt individuals.
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Jesus isn’t asking us to live perfectly, but He is asking us to love like him; to love one another in such a way that our actions point to Him. We are called to pay attention to the needs of our community, our church, our family, and our friends. Let us look for opportunities to extend love in unworldly, Christ-like ways.
