Christian's Duty in the World

The Christian’s Duty to the World

Let us close with how we should treat the world. Since we now know how to judge between the pure in heart and the impure of heart, we are still left with the problem that we are in the world. How should we act in this world, full of the unclean in heart but scattered about are the elect whose hearts are being prepared for the Gospel? We can answer this problem with 4 P’s: Passion, Prayer, Proclamation, and Practice.

Passion

We are not called to be careless or thoughtless towards the world. Quite the opposite, we are in this world for a purpose just as Jesus himself was on this earth and lived among those in this world. While our minds and hearts must be heavenly, our activities here should be done with a passion.

Passion for the Kingdom of God

First we have a passion for the Kingdom of God. We’ve already seen that the Kingdom of God is not made manifest through political or cultural means, but through the conversion of souls. Our view of this world is that it belongs to King Jesus whose blood and place as Creator God gives him authority over all. While the works of satanic people continue, and will continue, this does not mean that the authority of Christ has in any way diminished. That authority will make itself known through the judgement of all the earth through at the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. While in his first coming Jesus didn’t come to “condemn the world, but to save it,” his second coming will be to judge the world and all that are in it by their works. Since works are not able to save us from our sin, this paints a dark picture for those who continue to live as if Jesus is not King. The patience of God does not neglect this right Christ has over Creation, and our hearts should be solidly in a place that recognizes Jesus as Lord. In our so-called “worldly” or earthly callings, we are to act out this reality. This doesn’t means judgement, again that is God’s business, but it means that we ourselves must live as good citizens of a heavenly country which will soon, in God’s good timing, manifest itself here.

Revelation 5:9–10 ESV

And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”

As those who will one day reign, let us live submissively in the present state we are in with our hope set on this.

Passion for the Souls of the Lost

Prayer

“Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be Done”

Rulers and Authorities

Souls

Proclamation

Sin, Righteousness, Judgement

Gospel

Practice

Righteousness

Gospel-filled Lives