In the late 80s, Christian musician Michael W. Smith wrote a song entitled, “My Place in this World.” As you can tell from the picture, many things have changed since then, but the question the song addresses has not. Most people ask it more than once in their lifetime. Some have answered by living a life that either goes with the flow or against the grain.
A Christian's place in this world is more complicated than the extreme of treating oneself to the pleasures that life provides or the opposite, which teaches that one should refrain from all of life’s gratifications. R.C. Sproul affirms, “The Bible sanctions neither monastic withdrawal from this world (John 17:15) nor worldliness (Titus 2:12)." To find the answer to life's most common question, one must not stop short of nor look further than the Scriptures.
The New Testament teaches that although Christians have been called out, they are to be witnesses to the world. They have been employed and deployed by Jesus Christ and have not been left without instruction, but have been given a specific task. The task is to be witnesses of who Jesus is and what he has said and done to those who do not know him.
The Bible also teaches that although there is not a withdrawal from sinful humanity, there is a separation from the values and lifestyles of these people. Believers must be careful not to let earthly pleasures lure them away from God’s intended purposes. According to R.C. Sproul, Believers should resist “…falling victim to its (the world’s) materialism (Matt. 6:19-24, 32), its lack of concern about God and eternity (Luke 12:12-21), and its pursuit of pleasure and status above all else (1 John 2:15-17).” Sproul also states, “Christians are to be different from those around them, observing God’s moral absolutes, practicing love, and not losing their dignity as bearers of God’s image.” Christ gave us a perfect demonstration of this during his earthly ministry.
Sproul, R.C. Christians in the World. The Reformation Study Bible. Orlando Florida: Ligonier Ministries, 1732.
The Bible also teaches that although there is not a withdrawal from sinful humanity, there is a separation from the values and lifestyles of these people. Believers must be careful not to let earthly pleasures lure them away from God’s intended purposes. According to R.C. Sproul, Believers should resist “…falling victim to its (the world’s) materialism (Matt. 6:19-24, 32), its lack of concern about God and eternity (Luke 12:12-21), and its pursuit of pleasure and status above all else (1 John 2:15-17).” Sproul also states, “Christians are to be different from those around them, observing God’s moral absolutes, practicing love, and not losing their dignity as bearers of God’s image.” Christ gave us a perfect demonstration of this during his earthly ministry.
