Christians are truly in a very awkward position.
As humans, we are born into this world and live in this world - subject to all its systems and processes. Needing to learn about the society and community we live in. Having to understand and be aware of the world we live in. Being busy and involved simply as part of living in this world.
Yet, fundamentally, we have a different goal and purpose from everyone else. We have a different focus and perspective because of the faith that is in us.
Peter describes us as peculiar people in 1 Peter 2:9, and this expression was similarly used to describe the Israelites in Deuteronomy 14:2:
Deu 14:2 For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth. Christians are familiar with exhortations from the scriptures to be holy, sanctified and set apart from the rest of the world.
Thus, there remains a very real tension within us. As we live in the world, we constantly interact with people of the world and we are made to constantly focus on the goals, objectives and ambitions of the things in the world. This is fundamentally at odds with being a Christian.
1Jn 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1Jn 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
Living a separate life from the world like a hermit is not a realistic option (1 Corinthians 5:10).
In fact, God wants Christians to be sent out into the world.
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
Joh 17:14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
Joh 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
Joh 17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
So despite this tension within us, we ought to live with confidence in the victory of our journey on Earth. We have been given all that we need to succeed (2 Peter 1:3); to remain pure; sanctified; set apart; focused, even as we live in the world.
In the military, the Special Response Force(SRF) is a unit designed to respond to crisis that may occur. The unit has been trained, is prepared and ready to be called for the task at any moment.
In our daily battle as we live in this world, we too have a SRF - Scriptures; Reflections and Fellowship. This will help us fight in spiritual warfare (2 Corinthians 10:3,4; 1 Peter 5:8,9).
S- Scriptures:
The basis of our faith (Romans 10:17); the revealed mind of God (1 Corinthians 2:10).
We simply cannot win this battle without the scriptures. It is the way to grow in faith; the way to know about God and His will for us; the way to be encouraged, admonished, exhorted. If the world is pulling us away daily, the way to be pulled back is through the scriptures. It is by the word, that we are set apart.
Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
R- Reflections:
Reflections are necessary because we ought to be honest about the state in which we are in. Living in the fast paced society of Singapore, we can be easily carried along and be so busy with one thing after another that we fail to see how far we have strayed. It is through reflections where we pause and give ourselves the chance to consider important questions. Are we where we are spiritually supposed to be? Have our activities taken us away from God? Having put so much time & effort into worldly matters, would we be willing to give up material concerns for our spiritual well-being? We need to reflect with scriptures in mind.
F - Fellowship:
Living in the world, we are already overwhelmingly subjected to the ideas and lifestyles of people who live without God in their minds. It is this subtle influence over time that can too affect our thoughts and actions. Should we then not grab every opportunity we have to spend time with like-minded brethren who have the same objectives and goals as us?
Joh 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
Joh 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
Joh 17:22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
Joh 17:23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
Living in the world, but not of the world. Let us remember SRF that we would remain set apart, always prepared and ready, having been given all that we need to be so. Let us remember that despite difficulties in life, we are not fighting a losing battle. Furthermore, we have the perfect example in Christ who has shown us the way to live and love, even as we remain in this world. Let us therefore remain steadfast and be more effective, wherever we are in the world, to let our light shine and bring glory to God, for the amazing faith that we have in us.
Joh 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Living in the world, but not of the world.