There is an expression that I've heard for years and I've used it several times.  The expression is "we are to be IN the world but not OF the world."  

First, a little clarification here; that statement is not a verse of scripture.  What it is, is a summary of different things Jesus taught.  Ok, now that we have that out of the way... what does the expression mean?

Let's look at the first part of it; "We are to be IN the world... "  This means that as Christians we are to live our lives in the world.  Now,. someone might say, "Duh... how are you going to do anything else?  I mean, you have to live IN the world unless you are going to be a martian or something."

But, I'm not talking about the physical world here.  Yes, we have no choice but to live in the physical world.  However, in this physical world there are values and ideas that unbelievers have and while  living in this world, if we aren't careful, we begin to reflect those values.  

  I John 2:15-16 explains it this way; "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world — the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does — comes not from the Father but from the world" 

For example, this world is very "stuff oriented."  A popular bumper sticker years ago read "He who dies with the most toys wins."  Of course, that isn't true.  Another bumper sticker appeared that read "he who dies with the most toys, still dies." 

  That bumper sticker was reflecting this culture..  to be happy we have to accumulate stuff.  But that's one place we need to be careful and not allow the values of this world influence us.  For the Christian happiness is not found in stuff.. it's found in a relationship with Christ.

That's just one example... there are many others.  The point is, if we aren't careful we can begin to allow the values of this world to influence us.  And, that brings us to the second part of the expression; "...but not OF the world."  That challenge has led some Christians over the years to WITHDRAW from the world.  The idea is we don't want this sin filled world to influence us or our kids so, we just withdraw.  

The only problem with that approach is, how are you going to influence the world for Christ if you withdraw?  The answer is; it's going to be tough.  

In Genesis 19, Lot faced that challenge.  You might recall that Lot was living in the region of Sodom.  Sodom was known for bad stuff but Lot believed in God.  Lot started off living in the city and unfortunately, he allowed the city to influence him.  Then, when he left Sodom, he lived in a cave.  He went from one extreme to another.  Regarding Lot, one man said "Lot attempted to live his life in a city and then in a cave. We cannot become one with the world, but neither are we to flee from it. The proper balance between the city of Sodom and the cave is the tent of Abraham. We are to live in the world, but without becoming attached to it or conformed to it. We are to be strangers and pilgrims."  

I like that statement.  So, how are you handling this challenge?  Jesus challenged us to be "the salt of the earth and the light of the world."  But, in order for the light to do any good, it needs to be in the world.  

This world is filled with darkness (sin) and we can be tempted to withdraw from the world and throw stones at it.  But that's the wrong approach. 

We need to be loving (see Jesus forgiving the women caught in the act of adultery).  

We need to be willing to help people whose lives are messed up (see the Samaritan woman).  

We need to be willing to give someone a second chance (see Jesus talking with Peter on the shores of the sea of Galilee).  

This world is plenty dark.  But, Jesus is light in the darkness.  We need to stay in the world and be "the light of the world" (Matt. 5:14). 

Years ago, when Robert Louis Stevenson was a boy, one night he had his nose pressed against the window pane of his home.  He was fascinated by the old-fashioned lamplighter coming down the street lighting the gas street lamps.

"Look," he cried out in excitement to his nanny, "there's a man coming down the street punching holes in the darkness."

That's exactly what Jesus wants us to do.  This year, determine to live in the world (not in a cave) and with the help  of the Lord, punch holes in the darkness of sin around us.  Be IN the world but not OF the world.