But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. 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 17:13-14 NKJV

In our Scripture passage, Jesus is saying I speak in the world but then goes on to say the world has hated them because they are not of the world as he is not of the world. So, what is the difference in being in the world or of the world? Well, I’m glad you asked because it’s important that we understand this difference.

We all live in the world. We must deal with the usual worldly tasks such as work, having a place to live, providing for our family. These are all things required of us as we live in the world. There will be times when these things are much more difficult. We will have good times and bad times. Jesus said in John 16:33 that we would have trouble in this world, but that we should not be discouraged because He has overcome the world.

The only way we can be overcomers is through Him. We are told in Romans 8:37 that in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

How do we overcome the trials and tribulations of this world? We live in the world but be careful not to allow ourselves to be of the world. This means we don’t focus on the world and its enticements. This means we are not sucked in when we see evil people succeed and we are not tempted to join them in their evil schemes to get ahead. We are not enticed by wealth and the things of this world.

We live our lives in obedience to God. We focus on Him and on pleasing Him. We strive to be righteous or in right standing with Him.

When Abram and Lot went their separate ways in Genesis 13, Abram gave Lot his choice of the land. Lot looked at the land through a world view. He saw lush green fields in the Jordan valley. He saw fertile lands. And even though it was way too close to Sodom, a city filled with wicked men, he chose that land. He didn’t see Sodom as being a city filled with wicked men. He saw it as a fertile land to support his livestock.

Abram knew that no matter what land he lived in, God would take care of him and all he had. He knew that God would provide. He lived by faith. This made it easy for him to give Lot his choice of land.

Abram was in the world, but not of the world. He was called Abram the Hebrew in 14:13. He lived in the midst of the Canaanites and the Perizzites but did not live amongst them.

When Lot was taken captive Abram was not overcome by evil, but he conquered evil with good as we are told to do in Romans 12:21.

We must live in this world until the good Lord calls us home. We don’t, however, have to be of this world. We can live a life that is separate from the evil of those around us. We can do our best to avoid evil. And when we are confronted by evil, remember we are told in Romans 8:28 all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose.

We are told in Romans 12:19 not to seek vengeance but to leave this to the Lord. And again, we are told in Romans 12:21 that we must not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.

As you live your life in this world, be careful not to let the world get into you. Don’t become of this world. Focus on God and all that is good (Philippians 4:8).

Learn to live in this world with a faith that is out of this world!

Have a great day!