1.  The Scriptures speak of this world, and the relation that the Christian must have to it.  We are to understand what the Scriptures teach regarding the subject.  Christians must develop the attitude toward this world that is in harmony with the truth.

2. (1 Peter 2:11)

3. The Physical Universe And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. John 17:5 (KJV) Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. John 17:24 (KJV)

4. Inhabitants For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (KJV) That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. John 17:21 (KJV)

5. Age or Dispensation And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. Matt 12:32 (KJV) The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. 40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. Matt 13:39-40 (KJV)

6. Order of Evil Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 1 John 2:15-17 (KJV)

7. Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here." John 18:36 (NKJV) And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever. Dan 2:44 (NKJV) Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. Heb 12:28 (NKJV)

8. For God’s children to be of this world is to exhibit treason before God. (Matthew 6:24; Matthew 12:30) There are Christians today who possess the wrong attitude toward Christ’s kingdom. They crave to make God’s kingdom “of this world”. Kingdom business does not concern recreation, world benevolence, youth movements, social halls, etc.. Adopting fleshly appeals of this world and artificial lures to increase membership? The gospel is God’s drawing power. (1 Corinthians 1:18; Romans 1:16; see Luke 5:1-11). Minimizing or watering down the preaching of God’s word to please men… (Galatians 1:6-10).

9. We are in the world, but not of the world. (John 17:14-16; 1 Corinthians 5:9-13; 15:33) We are not to love this present world (1 John 2:15- 17; 2 Timothy 4:10). Friendship with the world is enmity with God (James 4:4; Titus 2:12). We are not to be conformed to this world (Romans 12:1-2).

10. One’s soul is more precious than the whole world (Mark 8:36-37). Cares of the world can choke the word and cause the child of God to become unfaithful (Matthew 13:22). We are to lay up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-20; Luke 16:9). We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we shall carry nothing out (1 Timothy 6:7; Job 1:21).

11. The Christian is to live in this world, but not to be of this world. We can never serve this world and be with God in the eternal world to come. We must conquer or be conquered.