The Bible advocates that there are two worlds; one spiritual in the heavens and one physical on Earth. The story of Job clearly highlights this dichotomy in a cosmic chess match between God and one of his angelic beings. The story reveals the fact that Job’s turmoil is a result of heavenly decisions that were sifted through the hands of God.
Jesus confirms the fact of two worlds as recorded by John (John 8:22-24; 15:19; 17:14; 1 John 4:5, et al). To add to this the apostle Peter said that we who believe in Christ as our Lord and Savior are aliens, temporary citizens or sojourners, in this world (1 Peter 2:11). As sojourners, we must be cognizant of certain things occurring in this “foreign” land.
The Bible reveals the following:
1. We will be hated by this world
If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. – John 15:19
It should come as no surprise that Christians are and will be persecuted, both physically and psychologically, in this world. Being cognizant of this helps one cope with the circumstances they endure.
2. We have an intercessor
I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. – John 17:14-16
Even though we will be hated by this world, we can have peace. We can find solace in knowing that Jesus is our intercessor.
3. We are commanded not to love the world or things of this world
Do not love the world nor 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 not put here to enjoy the world, but to convey the message of hope in salvation. This doesn’t mean we can’t be joyful or happy, but we mustn’t attach ourselves to the things of this world knowing that our time on this earth is temporary.
4. We must not conform to the thinking of this world
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. – Romans 12:2
An old Chinese proverb says, “If you want to know what water is don’t ask a fish.” The gist of this proverb is that people become a product of their environment without knowing it. Playing off the proverb, we must “become fish out of water,” that is, we must be cognizant that we cannot afford to think and behave like unbelievers. We must not conform to the thinking of this world but renew our minds by immersing ourselves in the Word of God which transforms us. We are called to be light in the darkness and salt to an unflavored world.
This leads us to the final point …
5. We must keep ourselves unstained
Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. – James 1:27
From the beginning, God has called His people out of the world to be His image-bearers, to live their lives according to His commands and to glorify Him in all they say and do. The ultimate purpose for being different, or “called out,” is to reflect the image of Jesus Christ and draw people to the cross for salvation.
Throughout the story of Job, we find that he never waivers from his faith even in the midst of ridicule. He shakes his fists with anger towards God and says some derogatory things about God, but he never denounces his faith in the Almighty. He never becomes like his environment, for his mind is focused squarely on God the Father. In the end, he is rewarded for his stalwart faith, not just through physical things, but with a renewed viewpoint on who the Creator of the universe actually is. He is omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent in nature. And He’s not a bad chess player either!
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