There is a sharp dividing line between being a Christian and living a sinful life. That line has become blurred in recent years, at least in the eyes of the world, but not in the eyes of God. It was first stated by Jesus in John 18:36 when He said, “My kingdom is not of this world.” Paul said it like this in Philippians 3:20, “Our citizenship is in heaven.”

Jesus said in John 17:16 that although we are in the world, we are not like the world. That one fact is the root cause for much of the hatred the world has for Christianity. Jesus clearly stated that in this chapter. They hated Him, and the more we look like Jesus, the more they will hate us. We are not supposed to be like the world, and the world’s hatred is becoming more blatantly obvious every day.

Rather than making a bold stand for Jesus, some are trying to straddle the fence. They want to be citizens of both worlds, but that will not work on judgment day. We are either in or out. We are either right or wrong. We are either saved or lost. Just like the well-watered plains of Sodom enticed Lot into a place of wickedness, so too are the temporary pleasures of sin pulling people towards their destruction.

While it’s easier to look at the differences externally, we also need to remember the internal differences. Jesus came into the world to make it possible for us to have life, abundant life, everlasting life. He loved those who hated Him, and we must love those who hate us. Jesus didn’t come to take us out of the world; He came to take the world out of us.