Before Jesus was crucified, He made a three-part prayer (John 17). First, He prayed for Himself and that His Father would be glorified in the work He had done and was about to do. Second, He prayed for His disciples who were to spread the gospel message through the help of the Spirit. Third, He prayed for those that would follow them and His teaching. That would be the Christians to come later who are you that follow His plan of salvation!
In second portion of the prayer, the world is mentioned. The disciples were given to Jesus “out of the world”. Jesus prays that they that were in the world would not be of the world and protected from the evil one. By extension, those that would follow them would also not be of the world. So, it would seem we WOULD NOT be encouraged to mingle in the world! Jesus knew we would be in the world, however, and prayed for our protection while we are here on this earth.
While in the world, we are to share the gospel, be a good Christian influence, and be a good Christian example to all.
For the followers of Christ, Jesus gave these words: “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen (Matthew 28:18-20, NKJV).’” We are to get out in the world, mingle, and teach with our words and actions. Also, like His prayer in John 17, we would have assurance that Jesus will be with us!
In Matthew 5:13, Jesus further expressed that: “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men (NKJV).” We are to be influencers in the world just as salt influences taste in a good way if pure. If not pure, salt is worthless in influencing taste as when we are not pure, our influence is worthless as well as far as being a Christian is concerned!
In addition, in Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus says, “You are light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven (NKJV).” We are to show our good Christian example out in the world and not to hide it. We do this not to bring glory to ourselves but as the scripture says we are to do it that we may glorify God!
So are these merely suggestions for the Christian in the world? No! They are commands from Jesus Himself. When you go out this summer on your school break or vacation, remember we are to go out and spread the gospel, be a Christian influence, and let our example shine!
How do we do this? We should strive to make contacts in the world. You may say, I have 1,000 friends on Facebook or followers on Instagram and that indeed is a start but there is nothing like interpersonal and live relationships to really get to know a person and introduce them to God and his Son’s gospel.
That would probably turn off many people, you may argue and you would be right. Some may already be turned off by your Christian attitude and example because they are not interested or not ready for the gospel message. Perseverance is important. Keep on trying and those with an open heart will respond. In the meanwhile, you have grown friendships across racial, social economic, and other bounds and grown yourself into the Christian that God would have you be.
Being in the world as a Christian is not easy and you must remember we are not to be of the world. Mingling has its dangers. While we are to spread the gospel with our words, actions, and example, the world has many temptations in it and hates our message. God gave us a great gift of free will but the will of the majority of the world is not will for us. Lets go mingle as Christian influencers and examples in the world…
