We Are Called to Live an Unworldly Life
We are called to live an unworldly life, superior to the world's good and evil, free from its thought and motives, and guided by the Spirit of God.
Andrew Murray emphasizes the call for Christians to live an unworldly life, highlighting the pervasive influence of a society estranged from God that can subtly weaken our spiritual vitality. He asserts that the Spirit of God empowers believers to overcome this worldly spirit, enabling them to embrace a heavenly life that transcends worldly values and threats. Murray encourages Christians to cultivate a deep fellowship with God, allowing His light and strength to guide them in their earthly lives, thus perpetuating the unworldly nature of Christ among His followers.
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The whole of society around us, as far as it is not very definitely ruled by the Spirit of God, constitutes an environment, an atmosphere from which, at every pore, we breathe in the infection of a life that is estranged from God. And yet, because it is a secret, hidden spirit; because it has accommodated itself to the teaching and the worship of Christ, we may be utterly unconscious of the evil that is hindering and weakening our spiritual life.
It is to conquer and cast out and entirely dispossess the spirit of this world that the Spirit of God is sent into the hearts of God's children. With Pentecost the kingdom of God came in power, the kingdom of heaven was begun on earth. Men and women were to live an unworldly, an other-worldly, a heavenly life, superior to all the good the world can offer, and to all the evil it can threaten, free from all its modes of thought and motives of action.
The altogether, even externally, unworldly life of Christ was to perpetuate itself in the inner circle of his chosen disciples and friends. They were to be so wholly given up to fellowship with the heavenly world, to wait and labour so patiently and perseveringly to receive the light and leading, the joy and strength their Lord could give, that they might be able to communicate to their brethren about that heavenly life and power which would enable them in their earthly calling to live the unworldly life.
(Excerpted from The Coming Revival, by Andrew Murray , pg. 27)
Sermon Outline
- The World's Influence
- The Spirit's Mission
- The Unworldly Life
- Christ's Example
- An altogether unworldly life
- Perpetuated in Christ's disciples and friends
- Communicating heavenly life and power to others
Key Quotes
“It is to conquer and cast out and entirely dispossess the spirit of this world that the Spirit of God is sent into the hearts of God's children.” — Andrew Murray
“Men and women were to live an unworldly, an other-worldly, a heavenly life, superior to all the good the world can offer, and to all the evil it can threaten, free from all its modes of thought and motives of action.” — Andrew Murray
Application Points
- We must be aware of the world's influence on our spiritual lives and take steps to resist it.
- We must seek the guidance and strength of the Spirit of God to live an unworldly life.
- We must be wholly given up to fellowship with the heavenly world to communicate the heavenly life and power to others.