In John 17 Jesus prays for his followers.  He prays that we might have unity with Him and with one another.  He prays that we would be a people of the Word.  He prays that we will be in the world making a difference every day, but at the same time we would not be of the world.

He has already told us that we are to be salt and light.  That is the way that that the world is going to be changed.  Many politicians are telling us that they are the answer.  The answer is for us to be salt and light.  We need to be in the world, but not of the world.  It is a delicate balance.

Mike Metzger is an author and the founder of the Clapham institute.  He gives a great description of that balance.

“Being salt and light demands two things: we practice purity in the midst of a fallen world and yet we live in proximity to this fallen world.  If you don’t hold up both truths in tension, you invariably become useless and separated from the world God loves.  For example, if you only practice purity apart from proximity to the culture, you inevitably become pietistic, separatist, and conceited.  If you live in close proximity to the culture without also living in a holy manner, you become indistinguishable from fallen culture and useless in God’s kingdom.”

What we are to be about is to live our lives in such a way that we honor God, but do it in a way that can influence those that do not know the Lord.  This will touch every part of your life.

It touches what you read, watch and do.  It touches where you go and the people that you relate to.  It reflects how you live your life in every area.  Life is all about balance.  We are to be in the world but not of the world.