The Life of the World and the Life of a Believer

Many people appear throughout the Bible, and among them is David. David was a shepherd boy from a young age. Unlike today’s Israel, in those days there were many wild animals, including lions and bears, that would often harm or kill people. As a shepherd, David had to lead the flock to green pastures, let them graze on good grass, and give them water to drink. While doing so, he would sometimes encounter dangerous animals like lions or bears in remote areas. At such times, David trusted in God and overcame the lion or the bear.

Anyone would feel fear when confronted by a ferocious beast such as a lion or a bear. If a shepherd abandons the flock and runs away, the lion comes and devours the sheep.

Why Zebras Can Coexist with Lions in the Wild

Just because lions or bears are fierce animals does not mean they can easily catch other animals. Lions are faster than herbivores, but they cannot run for long. After a short burst of speed, they quickly run out of breath. In contrast, animals like horses or sheep may be slower in the moment, but they can run for long periods without tiring. That is why zebras maintain a certain distance from lions.

If a lion attacks and the zebra keeps running in different directions, the lion cannot keep up. Because the lion soon becomes exhausted, it cannot close the distance needed to strike. As long as the zebra maintains this gap, the lion is powerless. For this reason, lions and zebras can coexist in the wild.

While zebras graze peacefully, they constantly keep an eye on their surroundings to maintain distance from lions. During the time it takes for the lion to sprint toward them, the zebra must be able to dodge and continue running. Eventually, the lion becomes breathless and can no longer chase.

Believers Live in the Same World, but…

The life of faith is the same. Saved believers live in the world just like everyone else. But just as zebras must maintain a certain distance from lions in the forest, believers must always keep spiritual distance from the world and remain within God’s domain.

If a zebra gets too close to a lion, it no longer has enough time to escape when the lion charges. It will inevitably be attacked and become prey. Likewise, even a saved believer can make mistakes. But if, at that moment, they have drifted too far from God and fallen deeply into the world, they cannot escape the flow of the world.

We may make mistakes or even commit sins while living in the world. But if we remain inside God’s domain, we are not swept away by the flow of the world. Just as a zebra is safe as long as it keeps its distance from the lion, we can live a holy life if we maintain a healthy distance from worldly influences and live within God’s Word.

Even though believers eat, drink, and live among people of the world, if they keep some distance spiritually, they can maintain the life of a true Christian. When a saved person maintains that distance and lives by faith without sinking into the world, they encounter God’s helping hand in times of trouble. By God’s grace, they can avoid being swept away and walk with God, living a precious life of faith. Supported by God’s sustaining hand, they can live a blessed life.

However, if a Christian falls deeply into the world, even though they are saved, they cannot maintain their faith. They become trapped in sin and ultimately see their spiritual life destroyed.

Keeping Distance From the World Through Faith

Just as a zebra is safe in the forest when it maintains proper distance from lions, a saved believer is safe when they maintain distance from the world. Then, they can avoid being swept away by worldly currents and live a holy life, receiving God’s blessings.

If we keep our distance from the world with faith in God, we can enjoy His grace for a long time and live the blessed life of a believer.