In Crucified to the World

The Christian should view the world system in its course of independence of God as an object of contempt. The believer is in the world, but not of it and so should not be seeking to find his pleasure in that which does not want his Savior. Our citizenship is in heaven, not on earth, and we should desire and seek to deliver souls from the coming wrath, rather than link up with them in earthly pursuits.
The world looks upon the Christian with contempt because he belongs to Christ and to heaven, and desires to walk according to the principles of Scripture. Being "crucified to the world" relates to "the abomination of the Egyptians." There were certain things that were abominations to the Egyptians, and so there are with the ungodly today. "An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked." Prov. 29:27.
The first mention of an abomination to the Egyptians is about eating with the Hebrews "They set on for him [Joseph] by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians." Gen. 43:32.
The Hebrews are the same people as Israelites but looked upon with disdain rather than with favor. (Compare 1 Sam. 14:11.) It is quite easy to behave as the godless about us and miss any reproach for Christ's sake. If true to the One who died for us, however, and desirous to walk with Him in separation from this world, it will bring reproach. Eating may be taken literally but it also embraces the thought of social life in general. If we meet the world on its ground, there will be no reproach; but if we stand and speak for God, our company will not be courted for long.
The second reference to abomination is in Gen. 46:34, "For every shepherd is an abomination unto the Egyptians." The Lord Jesus Christ is spoken of as the good Shepherd, the great Shepherd and the chief Shepherd. The announcement of His birth was made to shepherds, and it is to those who faithfully carry on the work of shepherding that a special reward will be granted (1 Peter 5:2-4).
How God values shepherds! But shepherding care is distasteful to the ungodly. Have the opinions and views of this unbelieving world tainted our outlook as well? Selfishness marks this present age and is diametrically opposed to true shepherding care. For one to spend and to be spent for others for the sake of Christ is a manifestation of a shepherd's heart.
The third mention of an abomination to the Egyptians is in Ex. 8:26, and is used in connection with worship to Jehovah. Egypt was filled with idols. For the Israelites to join in this pagan idolatry, they did not need to leave Egypt. Pharaoh sought to detain them in Egypt, not by offering them idols but by suggesting they worship God there. How many dear Christians have, in type, listened to this subtle advice. They have refused the idols, so to speak—empty formalism and ritualism—but have taken up the worship of God without separating from that which is incompatible with the true character of Christianity.