Dictionary of Bible Themes The sinful tendency to conform to the world, to be contrasted with the biblical command to maintain contact with the world while avoiding becoming like the world. Believers are called to live in the world, while not being of the world. This attitude is supremely exemplified in the ministry of Jesus Christ. John 3:16The paradox of God's love for a sinful world 1 John 2:15-16Genesis 12:1-3 God's people are called to be separate from the world, yet a source of blessing to it The example of Abraham See also Genesis 15:7; 18:18The life of Abraham illustrates the important biblical balance, called to separation from his native environment to be a blessing to the nations. Galatians 3:8Genesis 41:56-57 The example of others Daniel 2:48-49Joseph Daniel and his friends Leviticus 18:28Conformity to the pagan standards of the OT world disparaged 1 Samuel 8:5with respect to sexual perversion 1 Kings 21:7With respect to concepts of leadership: 1 Kings 11:7-8Isaiah 13:19 with respect to idolatry Isaiah 31:1with respect to pride Zechariah 4:6With respect to self-reliance: Isaiah 49:6God's concern for the nations of the world See also Jonah 4:11Revelation 22:2 John 3:16-17 Jesus Christ is a model of the required balance of being in the world but not of it See also He was in the world John 9:5; 16:28John 8:23 See also He was not of the world Luke 4:5-8John 17:14; 18:36 1 John 3:1 pp Mt 4:8-10 Matthew 11:19See also He was a friend of the disreputable Mark 2:16Luke 7:44-48 John 10:16 See also He was concerned for outsiders Matthew 28:19Mark 7:24-30 Acts 1:8 pp Mt 15:21-28 John 15:19Believers are called to live in the world, while not being of it See also They have been chosen out of the world John 17:14,162 Corinthians 6:17 Romans 12:2 See also They must avoid conformity with the world 1 Thessalonians 4:3-52 Timothy 4:10 Titus 2:12 James 1:27 1 Peter 1:14-16; 4:3-4 1 John 2:15; 5:4 1 Corinthians 5:9-10 See also They must maintain contact with the world John 17:11Galatians 6:10 See also They must do good in the world Titus 2:14See also 1340 consistency2018 Christ, divinity 2327 Christ as servant 4035 abundance 7160 servants of the Lord 8213 confidence 8218 consecration 8270 holiness, set apart 8326 purity, moral & spiritual 8782 mockery |
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