There is so much happening in the world that our focus is drawn to what is going on around us. As Christians, however, we are to focus on the things of God. We are, after all, only sojourners here on earth. Scripture gives a warning concerning the 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.
For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world."
1 John 2:15-16

Speaking to His disciples about their desire to follow Him, "Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
'For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
'For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?'" Matthew 16:24-26

Paul tells Believers in Colossians 3:1-2, "If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, setting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth."

We are in the world, but not of it! So what is our relationship to this place we live?

Regarding this relationship, Scripture says of Believers, we are-- The light of:
"You are the light of the world." Matthew 5:14 So, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Vs. 16

Not of:
Jesus in His prayer in John 17 says,
"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." Vs. 14

Chosen out of:
Jesus speaking to the disciples of their relationship to the world, "If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." John 15:19

Not conformed to:
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:2

Crucified to:
Galatians 6:14, Paul encouraging them in the truth of this new life, "But God forbid that I should glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."

Unspotted from:
"Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." James 1:27

Overcomers of:
"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" 1 John 5:14-5

I close with several verses of Ephesians 5, but read the whole chapter.
"And walk in love, as Christ also loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma." Vs. 2

"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light." Vs. 8

"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret." Vs. 11-12

Lord we love you and desire to be all that you have your heart set on for each of us! We praise and thank you.  Amen