Prepositions are words, used in phrases, to describe the relationship one thing has to another in terms of time, space, direction or other definitive information. Words like “in,” “under,” “to,” “towards,” “against” are prepositions. We want to focus on five prepositional ideas that will question us about our relationship to the world.
• From the world.
• In the world, but not of it.
• To the world.
• Over the world.

Psalm 37 provides a source of meditation for these themes and will be considered as we pursue the “preposition propositions.”

Proposition # 1 – Are we in the world and of the World? Or, have we been delivered from the world so that we are free to follow Christ? – Galatians 1:3-4

The word, “salvation” means “deliverance.” Delivered from what? Usually, our minds turn to the matter of deliverance from the penalty of our sins and the consequence of going to Hell. That is very important, but that is not the total picture. Galatians 1:3-4 tells us that Christ delivered us from this present evil world.

The World

Here, the word “world” is not referring to the physical planet earth. It is describing a dark spiritual kingdom that is operated by Satan. It is a network of philosophy, religion, lust, pride and godlessness. The “world” is all that is contrary to God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

God’s Spirit and God’s Word bring order, love, joy and peace. Satan has a system of disorder, chaos, hatred, fear, selfishness and unrest. That which is truly spiritual is mocked and rejected by the “world.” When we are born into this world, we naturally are influenced by worldly thinking and are brought into bondage to it. Only by the new birth can we perceive God’s kingdom: a kingdom of light and love; the kingdom of God’s dear Son.

See Ephesians 2:1-7; I Corinthians 1:18-21; 2:6,12 (see vs. 1-16); Colossians 1:12-13; John 1:1-5, 9-13; 3:3, 19; James 4:4; II Peter 1:2-4; I John 2:15-17; 4:1, 5-6; 5:18-19.

Deliverance

Romans 7:6 – We are delivered from the condemnation of the law, which held us in bondage through the weakness of the flesh. Through Christ we are also delivered into His glorious freedom and liberty to serve God by the power of His Spirit. See Romans 7:24 – 8:4 cp. John 8:30-36; Galatians 5:1.

I Thessalonians 1:9-10 – We are delivered from the false idols of this world (which can be things like money, sex, fame, pleasure and power) to love, worship and serve God. We are also delivered from God’s wrath, that is to later be poured out on this world. See Acts 26:18; Revelation 11:15-18

Thoughts from Psalm 37

Psalm 37:3-5 tells us to put our trust in the Lord. It is the Lord that is worthy of our trust – not the world. He will take care of us. He will guide us and provide for us as a shepherd. We are to delight ourselves with Him (find pleasure and contentment). We are to commit our way to the Lord (as if rolling over a heavy burden from our shoulders onto His shoulders). See Psalm 118:8; 23:1-6

Psalm 37:11 tells us to be meek before the Lord. That means that we submit or yield ourselves to Him. To be meek is to have the attitude of a servant. The promise is that if we are yielded to Him, we will inherit the earth. We shall be delighted in the abundance of peace! That which others struggle so hard to gain, but cannot keep will be given to us freely forever! See II Peter 3:10-14.

Are you delivered from the love of this World?

Matthew 16:24-26 – The fear of worldly men; the desire to please worldly men; the desire to compete with worldly men for worldly things: all have their roots in self-centeredness. Jesus said that we have to deny ourselves and escape the world’s allurements and agenda, so that we can have eternal life and follow Him. See Isaiah 2:22; 55:1-3, 6-7; Psalm 46:10; II Peter 1:2-4; I John 2:15-17; 3:1-3.