"Be in the world, not of it."
This phrase gets tossed around between Christians all the time. It's a popular idea, but sometimes we pay too much attention to the last half. We rush to the importance of keeping our eyes on the Lord, refraining from the temptations of the world, and resisting the urge to conform to social norms. While these are all good takeaways, I think there are some vital truths in the first half of this phrase as well. And for college aged Christians, these truths are particularly important.
College throws us every temptation; drinking, partying, sex, cheating, lying, laziness, everything. This is not to say that these temptations are not present outside of the college setting, but this time in our lives combines these forces and college campuses are a perfect example of "the world." It's a fun and challenging atmosphere filled with things of the flesh.
As Christians, we need to� be in the world. We should be the center of the classroom, the party, the campus event, the corruption. Because if we throw ourselves into the line of fire, that is where we can be a genuine light to others.
I say, "genuine" because I know that many of us were "of the world" before we were saved, or even after. We've partied more than anyone, we've ignored God's intention for purity, we've schemed and cheated, we've toyed with people's hearts, we have been the face of the world. We have fallen into temptation and experienced these struggles. But we have also experienced the scandalous and saving love of Christ. We've experienced his conviction, redemption, and grace. What better way to spread the love of Christ than to dive headfirst into the very situations we were once consumed by and set others free?
I don't make this distinction to place us on some morally superior pedestal and claim that we are now perfect. Rather, I want to show the significance of having once been of the world, but no longer being trapped by those same sins and temptations. God's conviction should result in our changed hearts. As we have been, and continue to be, freed from these areas of sin, we should also help others find that same freedom.
It's easy for people who have never been tempted by partying or drinking to talk to someone who spends every weekend doing that and say, "You don't need that. You can have Jesus." But how much more meaningful and how much more of an impact would it have on that same person if they heard from a Christian, "I was once you. I've been there. I've felt that temptation and I know why you find joy in that. But I'm telling you, God is better." While God works through all types of people, which of those would appeal more to the unbeliever?
I think this idea of being "in the world" is crucial because God doesn't place us in the world to reach believers. They are saved, they know him. He doesn't call us to stay in our safe bubble and close our church doors.� After all, where did Jesus go? Who did Jesus hang out with? The drunks, the prostitutes, the broken, the needy, the sick, the damaged. Jesus went where there was no hope, no fulfillment, no him. That too, is where we must go. We have to be in the world so that others may learn to no longer be of it. We have to place ourselves in the very heart of worldly temptations and corruption to spread God's love to the broken. Just as God has set you free from these temporary joys and temptations, we can help others find that same love and fulfillment.
So, find those who are trapped and consumed in the ways you once were, whatever those may be, and watch God set people free. Share your story. Share your freedom. Step out in faith and run to the world so that God may use you to bring others out of it.
