The Bible has a lot to say about the world we live in. Here is an overview of some key Bible verses that provide perspective on how we should think about and interact with the world around us.
The world was created by God
The Bible makes it clear that God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1 provides an account of each day of creation, culminating in the creation of human beings. A few key verses on the creation of the world include:
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1)
“And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31)
“By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host.” (Psalm 33:6)
These verses establish that the world was intentionally created by God, not the result of random chance. As Creator, God has authority over the world and rightfully deserves our worship and gratitude for this gift of life.
The world belongs to God, not us
Though we inhabit the world, the Bible is clear that it ultimately belongs to God, not human beings. We are merely stewards, responsible for caring for creation during our lifetime.
“The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.” (Psalm 24:1)
“Every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine.” (Psalm 50:10-11)
“The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:17)
These verses put our lives in perspective. We do not own the world nor anything in it; all we have is given to us by a gracious God. Our role is to be wise managers of what God has temporally entrusted to our care.
The fallenness of the world
While God originally declared His creation “very good,” the Bible teaches that the world is now fallen and corrupted by human sin. The world we interact with daily is far from what God intended it to be.
“And God saw the earth, and behold, it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.” (Genesis 6:12)
“For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.” (Romans 8:20-22)
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.” (1 John 2:15-16)
The brokenness of the world reminds us that our hope cannot be placed in the things of this world, which are temporary and twisted by the consequences of the Fall. Our hope must be found in God alone.
Christ came to save the world
Amid the fallenness of the world, the Bible presents Jesus Christ as the Savior who came to redeem the world. God loved the world so much that He sent His Son to provide the way for salvation.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (John 3:16-17)
“The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!'” (John 1:29)
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” (Titus 2:11-14)
Despite its present fallenness, the world still matters to God. He desires that none should perish, but that all would experience salvation through faith in His Son.
Christians are to avoid worldliness
While we are to live in the world, the Bible repeatedly warns against adopting the sinful values and behaviors of the world. As followers of Christ, we are to live counter to the dominant culture around us.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)
“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” (James 1:27)
“I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” (John 17:14-16)
While we must live in this fallen world, we are exhorted not to adopt its sinful values or behaviors. Our values and conduct should be shaped by God’s Word, not culture.
Focus on eternal things rather than worldly things
Rather than getting caught up in worldly pursuits, Christians are called to focus on the eternal kingdom of God. The things of this world will ultimately fade away, so we should invest ourselves in everlasting treasures.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:2-3)
“For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come.” (Hebrews 13:14)
Keeping an eternal perspective helps us see past the temporal things of this world that threaten to distract us from living for God’s kingdom.
Christ will return to make all things new
The Bible offers great hope that this fallen world will one day be restored. When Christ returns, He will establish a new heavens and new earth free from sin and suffering.
“But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” (2 Peter 3:13)
“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.” (Revelation 21:1)
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)
The promises of future restoration remind us that the world’s present troubles will not last forever. God will ultimately right every wrong.
Christians have a mission to reach the world
Though the world is flawed, Christians are not to retreat from it. Rather, we are commissioned by Christ to actively go into the world and make disciples of all nations.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20)
Jesus has strategically placed believers everywhere so that we might take the gospel message to those who have yet to hear. We have an urgent task to reach the lost wherever we find ourselves.
Conclusion
From creation to new creation, the Bible provides an overarching narrative of God’s relationship to the world. It teaches us that the world belongs to God, yet has been tainted by human sin. While we are to avoid worldliness, we also have a mission to proclaim the hope of the gospel globally. And we can look forward in hope to the day when Christ will return to fully restore this fallen world to God’s original design.