We have heard phrases such as, “They are out of this world,” or “They must not be from around here.” Typically a negative connotation is attached to phrases such as these. We spend so much time and effort to find our place in the “world” that hearing anything that disassociates us from the world is thought of as negative and insulting. We want to fit in. We want to be liked. We want to conform and blend into society. We look to a secular society to solve any and everything. We look to worldly government and politicians for help. As Jesus prayed to God the Father he said, “The world hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world” (John 17:14).
Weak eschatology leads to a worldly Church. Eschatology is the theology of end times and final judgement from our Lord Jesus Christ. Many have trouble talking about our Lord’s final judgement on the world. They do not like to discuss that we live in a fallen world, only falling deeper and deeper into sin. We are to be lights in a fallen world. Setting our minds on things above. Being an example of heavily blessings for we are not of this world. “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15). We are in a fallen world. Loving a fallen world is being of this world. “Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Col. 3:2).
In Revelations, the martyred Saints cry out, “Lord, the one who is Holy and true, how long until you judge those who live on the earth and avenge our blood” (Rev. 6:10)? Judgement is coming from our Lord to this fallen world. “Look! The Lord comes with tens of thousands of His Holy ones to execute judgement on all and to convict all the ungodly concerning all the ungodly acts that they have done in an ungodly way, and concerning all the harsh things ungodly sinners have said against him” (Jude 14).
Time and time again, Jesus and the apostles warn us in scripture to not be of this world. Do not love the world. Judgement is coming. Swiftly and harshly. Yet Churches allow worldly issues to corrupt and pollute, failing to be focused on things above. The Church succumbs to government pressure, letting worldly issues infiltrate out of fear of or from government policies. Romans 13 clearly spells out the role of government and God’s plan for us to be subject to the governing authorities that are instituted by God. “The one who resists the authority is opposing God’s command, and those who oppose it will bring judgement on themselves” (Romans 13:2). We are to honor and respect authority.
Christians are not to be of this world. We are to establish exemplary conduct epitomized by Christ. “Submit to every human authority because of the Lord, whether to emperor as the supreme authority or to governors as those sent out by him to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good” (1 Peter 2:13-14). When government ceases to protect good over evil. When government fails to punish sinful behavior. When government ceases to function by God’s design, it severs its authority over Christians. Peter said to the apostles when being ordered by the Sanhedrin (Jewish ruling authority) to not speak and teach in the name of Jesus, “We must obey God rather than people” (Acts 5:29). Judgement is coming.
Yes, we are to live exemplary lives. Yes, we are to obey authority. However, we are to obey God over man. Jesus said, “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you” (John 15:19). When governing authority is no longer a harbinger of good, their authority no longer comes from God. The Apostle Paul violated the government more than anyone else in the New Testament. When Paul preached the Word of God, he was often thrown into jail and was eventually executed by the government he refused to obey. Paul didn’t disobey because he didn’t live an exemplary life. No, Paul disobeyed because the government didn’t protect good over evil. Paul obeyed God over man. Paul was not of this world.
