We live in the world. Our bodies are made of earthly elements: &8220;From dust we came and to dust shall we return.&8221;

We ought to be good citizens, neighbors and stewards of the earth.

We ought to be so, not only because it is right, but because the Creator has so commanded us.

We are in the world (the terrestrial creation), but we must be careful lest the world get too much in us. &8220;Worldliness&8221; is the antithesis of godliness, righteousness and holiness.

&8220;For God so loved the world that He gave….&8221; God so loved the people in this world that He created, that He entered the world as a baby. Jesus called Himself &8220;Son of Man,&8221; but it was obvious by the way He lived and talked that He was also &8220;Son of God.&8221;

Those saved by God&8217;s grace through faith in Jesus Christ are children of God.

We live here now, but our home is awaiting us with Him. We live on earth to serve the Lord above, and mostly it is an enjoyable experience.

We must be on guard, however, lest we adopt worldly ways. Billy Sunday said that saying &8220;worldly Christian&8221; is like saying &8220;heavenly devil.&8221;

Jesus teaches us, &8220;What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?&8221;

We succeed as we surrender our ambitions, goals and very life to the Lord. We gain by giving all to Jesus and trusting Him for all we need. &8220;Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.&8221;

We are children of God saved from worldliness and saved for godliness. May we so live in this world that the Holy Spirit within us will show the world through us what the Creator and Redeemer wants for all of humanity.

Allan Murphy serves as pastor at the North Shelby Baptist Church