There is a commercial that speaks of living life off the grid, living life away from the city.  The theme song for the commercial is “Make the world go away”, an old country classic.  Another line in the song says, “and take it off my shoulders, say the things you used to say, and make the world go away.”  Jesus said he has overcome the world; He did not make it go away.

I have enjoyed the commercial the few times I saw it, but the other day it got me thinking about what the bible says about the world.  Several scriptures came to mind.  Romans 12:2, tells us, “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of the mind.”  1 John 2:15 says, “Do not love the world or the things in the world.”  Both of these scriptures are commands, not suggestions.  While they are commands from God, we have the choice to obey or not to obey.

God never says in the bible that He would make the world go away; in fact, how can we be light and salt in the world if He makes it go away.  The writer of the song takes no responsibility for straying into the world but asks someone else to do what it takes to make the world go away.  The gist of this blog is to remind us we are responsible for change in our lives. 1 John 5:4, “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.”  Our faith in the son of God gives us the ability to not be conformed to this world if we so choose.  Jesus tells us, “In the world you will have tribulations but be of good cheer, because He has overcome the world, John 16:33.

“We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us”, Roman 8:37.  How can we be more than conquerors?  “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”, 1 Corinthians 15:57.  Christ has done all the work, we now have the responsibility to walk accordingly.  1 John 5:4-5 says it best, “For whoever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.  Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”

Now back to “Make the world go away.”  We would like it if we could make the world go away, because it would eliminate the struggle.  “All that is in the world is the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, “1 John 2:15.  So in the struggle we have the option to choose Christ over the world, over the flesh and over the devil.  

I will say and do whatever it takes to overcome the world.  Yes, I am in the world but not of the world.  What say you…..