Christians undoubtedly reside in a secular world, but they also hold another, far greater citizenship—the heavenly realm.
Philippians 3:20 – “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Just as an American living abroad remains an American, Christians, whose true citizenship is in heaven, are merely living “abroad” in this world. Jesus emphasized this truth in His prayer to the Father shortly before His crucifixion:
John 17:14-16 – “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. I am not asking that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them safe from the Wicked One. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.”
Twice in these verses (14 & 16), Jesus declares that Christians are not of this world—a truth God repeated to ensure we understand it fully. Although Christians do not belong to this world, God does not will for them to be removed from it. Instead, He desires that they remain here while being protected from the Wicked One. This leads to an essential question: How are Christians to be kept from the evil one? How do we live in a fallen world while staying true to God’s will? The answer is found in the very next verse of Jesus’ prayer.
John 17:17 – “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
Christians are sanctified—set apart—through God’s truth, not by the world’s standards. Though we live in the world, we are not owned by it. By immersing ourselves in the Scriptures, we gain discernment, allowing us to judge everything we see and hear against God’s truth. This spiritual perspective enables us to navigate a secular world while keeping our focus on heavenly realities.
Colossians 3:2 – “Think about the things that are above, not the things that are on the earth.”
2 Corinthians 4:18 – “Because we do not look at the things that are seen, but at the things that are not seen; for the things that are seen are temporary, but the things that are not seen are everlasting.”
Living faithfully in a corrupt world requires constant discipline of the mind. Every moment, we must compare what we see and hear with the truth of Scripture. Our conduct should align with God’s eternal Word, not fleeting cultural trends or worldly ideologies.
For example, you might encounter a group of protesters holding signs that say, “My body, my choice.” Before embracing their message, you must look above and recall what God’s Word declares:
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – “Or do you not know that your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit that is in you, which you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore, glorify God in your body.”
By simply comparing the protest’s slogan to Scripture, it becomes evident who truly owns your body—God, not man.
Or consider another common assertion in today’s culture: “There are 78 different genders.” Before accepting this claim, it is wise to turn to God’s unchanging truth:
Genesis 1:27 – “So God created man in his own image. In the image of God He created him. Male and female He created them.”
Once again, a simple comparison reveals the truth: Do we trust the ever-changing claims of so-called “science,” or do we stand firmly on the eternal Word of God?
For further insight into this critical topic, consider reading these posts on our website: “Life is Looking Up” and “Hating What God Hates.”