Value the world – value every unbeliever. That is not to say that we treasure ungodliness, carnality, or any such thing. It’s just wise to recognize the hand of God at work in environments we have little to no influence in. Honoring the person God honors is always important. Religious bias and arrogance keep us from that at times, but it can become a part of our mode of operation if changes are made in our thinking.
Understanding this one concept would have helped me navigate many of the controversial issues in church life through the years. Jesus simply thought differently from us. Differently from all of us.
The sanctifying presence and power of God changes the equation for us all in our dealings with the world around us. It used to be that the only safe place for the believer was to be separate from everyone who didn’t live righteously. And while there is wisdom in staying away from those whose goal it is to bring you down, there’s much to be said about the impact we can have because God’s power and presence is a felt reality in and through the life of a believer. My favorite illustration once again is—when you touched a leper in the Old Testament, you became unclean. But in the New Testament, Jesus touched the leper and the leper became clean. Jesus has now given us the commission to do the same.
We can’t add flavor to a world we’re not a part of. Neither can we illuminate one room while we’re in another. Our assignment by nature is to build ourselves up in our most holy faith, keep accountable, and go out by two or three to agree in prayer and bring change to every environment we touch. We are salt; we are light. This is ekklesia [being the church]. This is us.
Those who are afraid of being defiled by the world have little faith in the power of the blood of Jesus that continually flows to keep us clean and the power of the Holy Spirit within us to guide, protect, and empower us to make a difference. We represent the government of Heaven every time we gather. Two or three of us, with Jesus among us, are a majority in the world of influence.
Extract from ‘The Way of Life’ Ch 9 Ps Bill Johnson