What does it mean that Christians are not of this world?

The Bible consistently refers to Christians as a different kind of people who are aliens and outsiders in the very world that they were conceived and birthed.
Though Christians live in the world, quite often the Bible states that Christians are not of this world.
So what does it mean that Christians are not of this world.

1. CHRISTIANS ARE CITIZENS OF HEAVEN
Philippians 3:20 says that as Christians our “citizenship is in heaven”. 1 Peter 2:9 ESV refers to Christians as being a “chosen race” and a “holy nation”. This implies that genuine Christians do not spiritually belong to this world or any nation in this world.
Instead Christians are spiritual foreigners in this world. Our citizenship is in the Kingdom of God and not this world.
From the time a person becomes a born again Christian, that person legally becomes a child of God. Our faith in Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior will transform us from children of the world to children of God.
John 1:12 says: Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—

2. CHRISTIANS ARE AMBASSADORS OF GOD’S KINGDOM
2 Corinthians 5:20 refers to Christians as being “Ambassadors of Christ”. Therefore Christians represent the Kingdom of God and not the kingdom of this world.
Whilst Christians live in the world, a genuine Christian is a representative of Christ to the world. Christians represent the values & the teachings of God in a world that has rejected and rebelled against God.

As Christians we are encouraged to be salt and light in a world that has embraced darkness and deception. By letting our light shine, people might glorify God and turn to Christ because of our good deeds.
In Matthew 5:14-16 Jesus says: “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

Christians are called to become more like Jesus Christ with the objective of glorifying God and with the hope of converting a lost world into embracing a relationship with Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:11-12 says: Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

This is why Christ gave us the Great Commission, which is to go out into the world, preach and make disciples in all nations (Matthew 28:18-20). The goal of every ambassador is to represent the interests of his King and Kingdom.

3. CHRISTIANS DO NOT CONFORM TO THE WORLD
Christians are not of this world because we are told not to conform to the lifestyles and value systems of this world. The moral and spiritual value systems of this world are in contrast to God and His scriptures.

Romans 12:2 says: Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

1 John 2:15-17 says: Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. [16] For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. [17] The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

The world hates God and therefore it will not submit to Him. The world is at enmity with God (James 4:4) because it has embraced sin and rejected Jesus Christ who offers salvation as a free gift.
So automatically, anyone who genuinely aligns with Christ and God’s word, will become an enemy of the world.

In John 15:19 Jesus stated the following to His disciples: “If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”

4. CHRISTIANS HAVE AN ETERNAL MINDSET
The world offers temporary satisfaction. The world desires immediate gratification. The world cannot produce anything that is of eternal value and for the glory of God.
Therefore, the world encourages Christians to set their eyes on things above and not on things on this earth.
Colossians 3:1-2 says: Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

2 Corinthians 4:18 says: So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Conclusion

Our identity in Christ automatically makes us aliens and strangers in the world. When we surrender to Christ and allow Him through faith to become our Saviour, we become a new creation that is unlike any other creation in the world.
This world cannot offer us anything of eternal spiritual value. It hates God and therefore it hates Christians.
As a new creation in Christ we are eternally forgiven because of Christ’s death and resurrection. We become God’s children and therefore we are part of His family.