The Lodestar

It may be paradoxical to say that the believers in Christ are called out from the world to live in the world. But that is the reality until Christ takes his chosen to be with him in eternity.

However, they must live in the world and not be of the world. Otherwise, they must change the world instead of letting the world determine their lifestyle.

Living in antiquity, where religious beliefs permeated all aspects of human existence: politics, culture, social life, and so on, early Christians had to actively avoid the influence of false religious practices.

This verse is the climax of verses 11-14, where Paul highlights the nature of the new life in Christ. The believers in Christ have moved from the world's darkness to the light of Christ. So, they must shun what belongs to the darkness and embrace the light.

"The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light. Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarrelling and jealousy" (Rom 13:12-13).

Living insulated from the influences of the sinful world is only possible by "putting on" the Lord Jesus Christ. The metaphor of putting on clothing signifies more than imitating Christ's character but also living in close personal fellowship with him, which we develop in prayer and meditating God's world. Being such people who live in the world, impacting it without being corrupted by it, is the call of everyone who follows Christ.