A lesson on the separation of Christians from the world. Being a distinct group of people called from throughout the Earth, Christians have been reconciled with God, saved by His grace alone, and are to walk in accordance with His Word, by the power of the Spirit working within them. This is what we see continuing in Christ's High Priestly prayer: His disciples, while physically remaining in the world, are not be controlled by the world with its corrupt desires, but rather are to be kept from the evil one, and sanctified in God's Word, which is truth. This is commonly phrased as being "in the world, but not of the world."

The word "world" refers to that portion of humanity (the majority of it) which is under God's condemnation, being ruled by its evil lusts and desires, and held captive under the influence of Satan. Christians in contrast are to be set apart as a holy people, just as God is holy. Having been washed clean through Christ's blood being shed on the cross, we are no longer under condemnation but have been set free, chosen according to God's good pleasure, and are commanded to live separate and distinct from the world, obeying God's commands. This is only made possible by the work of the Holy Spirit within us: our values and the authority we recognize are completely opposed to the world. Furthermore we possess the Word of God, which provides all the revelation necessary not only for how to be reconciled, but how to live a life of godliness in Christ.

Israel was also chosen to be separate and holy, and they too received God's commandments: yet it is manifestly true that they did not continue to abide in them. Neither could we, apart from God's grace. But what could not be done under the Old Covenant, which only had the power to condemn, in the New Covenant established in Christ, we as the Body of Christ have been set free from the condemnation of the Law in order that we may keep it. It isn't that the Law has been done away with; nor will anyone be saved by keeping it. The moral requirements are the same, and indeed cut down to our very thoughts and motivations. But the ability and will to follow them are new. And so all who are in Christ are commanded to (and should desire to) keep them. That means being holy and set apart; present in the world, but not walking according to its thoughts, words, and deeds. Rather we are to obey God's Word, as enabled by the Spirit working within us.