A great tragedy in the Church today is that we don’t fully occupy our rightful place in this world, we live in mediocrity instead of as those who are “heirs and joint heirs with Jesus Christ.” 

The old argument from Scripture that we are “not of this world” does not give us permission nor excuse to allow the children of the Living God to be less than all that we can be. On the contrary, because we are not of this world, we are to overcome this world and even to prosper in it.

“Therefore, brethren, we are debtors — not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs — heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together” — Romans 8:12-17 (NKJV).

We’ve let the world dictate to us how we should live and when we can speak. It’s time that you and I, ordinary men and women, assume our rightful place in this world as those who trust in Jesus Christ for our salvation. It’s time that we begin to claim that which is ours, our heritage and our inheritance, in spite of what the world says, in spite of what the politicians would have us think. It’s time that we as brothers and sisters in Christ begin to speak out about who we are. It’s time to live our lives as though we are unashamed of our relationship with God, if indeed we are unashamed.

For too long the world has shaped the Church; while we who have access to the all-powerful Holy Spirit have stood timidly by. The great Good News is that Jesus has overcome the world, we should move forward and occupy the conquered world for Him. It is our birthright, our inheritance, and our Christian duty..

Rev. Bobby Thornhill is a retired pastor.