What does it mean that Christians are not of this world?

The concept that Christians are "not of this world" is rooted in the teachings of Jesus and the New Testament, and it carries profound implications for the identity, values, and mission of believers within the Christian faith. This notion underscores the tension between the spiritual identity of Christians and the temporal realities of the world in which they live, and it speaks to their distinctive calling and purpose as followers of Christ.

The phrase "not of this world" originates from Jesus' discourse with his disciples in the Gospel of John. In John 17:14-16, Jesus prays to God the Father on behalf of his disciples, saying, "I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it." This passage encapsulates the essence of what it means for Christians to be "not of this world" and illuminates the spiritual and ethical implications of this reality.

At its core, the concept of Christians being "not of this world" speaks to their distinctiveness and separation from the prevailing values, priorities, and systems of the world. It conveys the idea that the identity and allegiance of believers are fundamentally rooted in the kingdom of God and the teachings of Jesus, rather than in the transient and often conflicting standards of the world. This distinction is not one of physical removal from the world, but rather of spiritual orientation and allegiance that shapes the way Christians perceive and engage with the world around them.

Furthermore, the notion of Christians being "not of this world" carries ethical and moral implications for their conduct and interactions within the world. It suggests that the values, virtues, and principles that guide the lives of believers are derived from a higher spiritual reality and transcendent truth, rather than from the transient and often self-serving dictates of the world. This calls for a commitment to living out the teachings of Jesus in a manner that reflects the transformative power of the gospel and the values of the kingdom of God.

Additionally, the understanding that Christians are "not of this world" underscores their mission and purpose within the world. Rather than retreating from the world, this concept compels believers to actively engage with the world as agents of transformation, reconciliation, and hope. It challenges Christians to embody the values of the kingdom of God in their relationships, vocations, and spheres of influence, thereby bearing witness to the redemptive and transformative power of the gospel.