Dead To The World

“How is the believer dead to the world when he lives in the world, works a regular job, raises a family, and owns property in the world?” a young student asked his Bible teacher. The teacher sent him out to a gravesite of a friend with instruction to criticize the dead friend, harass him, and find fault, and then praise him with glowing terms and brag on him to excess. Upon his return, the teacher asked, “What did your friend say when you criticized him?”  “How did he react when you praised him?” “It made no difference to him; he is dead!” “That is what it means to be dead to this world,” said the teacher.   Its applause means nothing, and its hatred means nothing.  We neither admire the people of this world nor do we fear them.  The riches of this world are but the fancy of fools, and the honors of this world mean little or nothing: for to be a child of God is the highest calling.  The religious traditions and ceremonies of the world have no attraction or meaning when Christ is All!  That which was once important to us we now consider loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ, our Lord.  This spiritual life in Christ cannot be explained; it must be experienced.