NOTW
You’ve seen the bumper stickers and window decals. NOTW. Not of this world.
Here are some reason to take those things off of your vehicle.
- No one cares. If you are telling unbelievers something, all they are doing is shrugging their shoulders, or worse, feeling your condescending message. Most Christian bumper stickers are translated by the unbelieving world as: I am better than you.
- When you are driving a luxury vehicle that cost 3-10 times more than the average house in the world, your claim to be not of this world is specious.
- When you drive like an idiot and then flip people off, your testimony really goes out the window, don’t you think?
True story. Driving down the freeway in Southern California and a SUV with NOTW emblazoned across the back window cuts off my friend and his two children coming down the mountain after a day of skiing. Speeding up to get alongside the individual, my friend raises his hands and shoulders in the universal “questioning” manner. If he could have spoken to him, it would have been a “what’s up?” He was greeted with an angry middle finger gesture. Maybe the car was loaned out to a friend, or stolen??? My guess is…unfortunately, probably not.
Let’s live our Christianity, not claim it on a bumper sticker.
Technorati Tags: NOTW, Not Of This World, Bumper Sticker
You know, I came across your site because I am frustrated by this NOTW ideology. Glad to hear what you have to say. This movement seems to be distancing self-proclaimed Christians from the message I see Christ delivering. I dare say NOTW is not only anti-Jesus, but borderline cult. At the very least it is a marketing attempt to pull dollars away from people needing a public identity.
maybe some believers like myself, want to find creative ways to show that there are believers out there or want to have an oppurtunity to witness, and are willing to be bold enough to say they have a relationship with God, and the NOTW company has some window decals that i think are original designs that could pssibly catch a non believers i, cause its creative and a new idea, and when they ask, hey what is that sticker about? then RIGHT THERE is the oppurtunity to share your love for God. Now i also have a tattoo that is in Japanese Kanji that means beautiful Lord, but i didnt right the meaning, cause i wanted people to ask me what it means, so i can tell them, now they may just shrug their shoulders, but maybe not. it might even encourage belivers. for example this ladie came into my work sometime and asked me what it was, and i believe she was saved, and when i told her about it, she got a really big smile on her face, so im sure that was her being encouraged. so the reason i said that about the tattoo, is because i was confronted by a fellow believer(s) to evaluate why i want more christian tattoos, and i wrestled it with God, and i finally just decided i’d rather just not get anymore at least for now, so i can honor God’s conviction in my life on why im really getting christian tattoos, and that was to share the gospel, but also i just liked them and thought they look cool, and God showed me that it could also cause others to struggle, cause it could make some people back away from me, and that wouldnt allow me to witness, but is that really my fault for being unfairly judged by human beings? im still wrestleing with that with God. SO. this is why i am getting christian decals, cause i dont want to mark up my body any more, until i can through Gods truth, justify it. cause there is a verse that goes against it, but im still studying the whole debate. anyways, theres nothing against being creative, and putting Gods message on your car, a t-shirt, etc. this is my other option and if you feel like its making you upset that people have them on there and are flipping you off, why not love them by admonishing them huh? wait until they stop, and confront them lovingly that they need to act God like, cause they are advertising Him but not living like Him you know? and hey if worst case sinario(sp?) they kill you for confronting them, then thats you being a true faithful man of God, and standing up for what God has put in your heart to stand up for. Now i know i am no where near perfect, im just trying to allow you to understand possibly the other side of the story before you seclude your self from the people who enjoy advertising Him and actually trying their best to live that advertisement out. aright well i hope you understand my view on this, its really long i know, but if you actually took the time to read this, THANK YOU! Hope you keep living for God, and God only, and everything else will just come together.
A broken down sinner saved by only His grace, Kevin
Thanks Kevin for reading and replying, and also for being faithful. You are right, any way that you can get the message out really is ok…as long as that is what you are doing. Most people are not using the stickers in that way, they are just decorating.
There used to be a practice in the church called the discipline of silence. Basically Christians kept silent about their faith in an attempt to live out their faith in such a compelling way that people were drawn not to a presentation but a lifestyle. They did it also because of the gross hypocrisy evident in many people who talked the talk, but didn’t walk the walk. My point here is that if you don’t live the Christian life, don’t brag about being a Christian…it doesn’t help people like you witness, it makes it harder for you to witness.
IF you put these things on your car don’t drive like a maniac…don’t break the law by speeding, not using your blinker etc. People are impacted by the message and the messenger, so the question becomes how many people are hardened to the sincere pure message of the gospel because of a thoughtless “christian” who only demonstrated his faith by putting a bumper sticker on his car?
To go one step further, just take them off your car, because I would rather someone ask about your faith not because of your bumper sticker or your words, but because of your compelling character, the true fruit of the Spirit.
I think what I find ambiguous and particularly troubling is what does NOTW really mean? Think about it for a moment. What does it mean to you, and (most importantly) how is it interpreted by others? Is one saying THEY are not of this world, as in too “special” to exist and love all others in this world (as Jesus did)? Have they transended my experience, is it a special club?
Or is it stating that Jesus is not of this world? If so, besides being obvious to nearly every human, would Jesus want that label, even if it is a cool or creative sticker for a car???
I think Jesus wants me to be of this world, loving all. He’ll take care of rest of my picture.
While Jesus wants us to love all and not condemn them for being of this world in their sinful nature, we are called to be the salt and the light, He most assuredly does not want us to be of this world. Christ’s Kingdom does not lay here on this earth nor in the sinning mans heart. Make no mistake, our battle is not in the flesh but in the spirit. Romans 8:9 says: “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (KJV). We being His subjects are in this world physically, yet we are not of this world, we are born from this world but are headed for another. We as followers of Christ are not the pupils of this world and we are not governed by this world or enriched with its wealth, but we are enriched with the wealth of wisdom. That is to say our riches lay in another place other than here on earth.
Christ Himself said: “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence”, John 18:36 (KJV).
Christ knew we would have battles and said that we would be persecuted for our faith, so who are we to tell were each mans heart lies with Christ?
I think Jesus was far from the “norm” in His time. And this type of “branding”, just as anything else: i.e. cross necklaces, WWJD bracelets, and the “fish” logo, can be used to His glory. I do not believe you have to always wear your “religion” on your sleeve, so to speak, but more or less its how you are able to use it as a tool in you fight to win the souls of man to Christ.
I work with youth and find this apparel to be a great alternative to what they could be wearing. Especially with there line in the women’s/girls section and the way they take it as a modesty ministry. People will always abuse the very thing that was meant to give God the glory, but that does not mean it can not be used by God in a powerful way. I mean if God can use a mule he Can and will use “NOTW”!
Being a Christian trully states we are “not of this world” The bible states this over and over again. Now the reason being is not because we are “better” but it is simply because we do not live by our fleshy and worldly desires, but by our lords desires and the desires of the Holy Spirit. Thats all it simply means..Now as a believer when i see that sticker i simply smile because its a reminder that there is still hope for this world. If you are offended by a simple sticker that happens to be a relegious one, thats just basically “the bait of Satan”, which happens to be an incredibly amazing book you might just want to read it. How funny a sticker thats consistant of 4 letters can drive such a anger in people…No one has an issue w/ the gay flag sticker, or pornographic stickers, or roxy, oneal ect…You know why because that doesn’t offend Satan..It’s when someone stands for Christ, is when it attacks Satan and his “worldly” pleasures and it creates such a problem..my point being and i know it took me a while to get here is this, You will not understand the meaning of such a sticker if your a non-believer and im sorry for that, but don’t get offended by it. Being a Christian the most joyous thing to us is spreading our faith and leading someone to salvation, so don’t look at it as we are “better”, more as a “logo” to sell Jesus.
Wow, Bree and everyone else, I am a Christian and the problem I have is with Christians putting stickers on their supra-worldly investment and then boldly claiming to be not of this world, then compounding the hypocrisy by driving in a way that is dangerous, illegal, and then expressing their total worldliness by their demeanor and gestures. Defending that kind of behavior because you have an attachment to a marketing ploy by Christian capitalists demonstrates that you need to do more thinking about what it means to be a Christian and what it means to proclaim the excellencies of the one who saved you. Sorry to be so blunt…
Secondly, this has nothing to do with “Satan.”
Thirdly, Jesus is not for sale.
Finally, I wonder how many people are even aware of where the verse is where this phrase comes from, and the context of the verse. Do you? Or do you just interpret it off the back of a car.
I see your point with the whole hypocrisy, and I agree that it is not Christ like to do what this person or other people do that claim to know Christ. I know you understand that as none of us is perfect, right? Again, who are we to judge the heart of that person? It was Christ that came to judge not man. It is not really about the Logo or a sticker or anything like this, its about how we wrap the culture around Christ using the tools that are at our disposal. There is nothing that replaces the Bible, which I think we would agree on; second just as Christ met people were they were in His time, so do we need to meet the people where they are. Again, with regards to youth, this has been a great alternative to what they could be wearing, and it goes to a non-profit company that has had several thousand people come to Christ since 2001 because of there impact in their community. That’s more than I can say for some of the ministries I have seen and been involved with in the past couple of years.
I also agree with your statement that Jesus is not for sale. He offers Himself as a free gift to all who will come. It is their choice and is in their free will to do so.
The verse is in my first statement and is also mentioned in John 8:23,”And He said to them, “You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world”.
I would say that it does have something to do with Satan. Just look at the blog here and the passion from both sides. Any time you profess Christ in any type of venture and are bringing people out of the darkness with the message of Christ, you better believe Satan is there. It may be a sticker or just another fish logo to you, but people are being impacted by its massage. And you and I both know that this message has nothing to do with a sticker.
I will always put my money in the hands of Christ. He gave it to me in the first place, and really…its not my money to begin with. Better to buy a t-shirt from a non-profit organization that is spreading the gospel then to put it into the hands of the real “capitalists”, like oohhh say a “Ford” t-shirt, or a “Playboy-Bunny” t-shirt, est.
Anyway, great topic! I think its not a perfect answer kinda thing, but when we are in heaven we will not have to worry about who was right or wrong.
AH, I hate when I miss quote things. It is not a non- profit company it just gives some of its profits to the non-profit outreach ministry that it runs. This is also supported by thousands of people and many mainstream Christian artists. Sorry for the miss quote. Until next time.
Whoa, reading these blogs has been an education in humanity, that’s for sure. Thanks.
Sticker or not, nobody should be acting like a jerk. In situations dealing with driving or traffic, it seems it’s always “the other person’s fault”. There are two sides to every situation. One person could be trying to get over to make an exit or something, and the other person is not paying attention, so the person has to cut someone off, both people think it’s the other’s fault.
My point being is that Christians aren’t perfect, and shouldn’t have to wait until they are perfect to be representing the Christian name. “You can’t put on a sticker until you are a perfect driver.” What?? If you want the world to know you are Christian, then let them know.
Always strive to be a better Christian, but you can’t compare your Christianity to another persons, your walk might be in a different stage. You shouldn’t judge people based on what car they drive or how they choose to praise Christ.
Personally I don’t care if people shrug their shoulders or think I am self righteous, that is the devil telling them to think like that.
All that matters are my intentions and that’s what Jesus recognizes.
I am praising God for all to see. It’s a statement of our love for Jesus.
http://www.c28.com is their website, the proceeds go to Youth Ministries. Their clothing also has verses and other things all over them. Anyone wearing or sporting NOTW has read about what it means. It’s all over their website.
I also have another thing to add, about the tattoo comment. I have a tattoo on my upper back of a cross with wings.
I prayed and prayed and met with a Pastor and read about it before deciding to get it done. I felt like I needed to get it for a few reasons, one of the biggest reasons was ACCOUNTABILITY. I wanted a statement of my faith that would never go away. Something I could not deny or change. I wanted a branding on me that says “this soul belongs to Christ”. I wanted to confront my faith and put it out there for all to see, until this shell is dead and gone.
I prayed about it right before I got it, I was scared it would hurt. I said “Lord, I want to glorify you. If this is your will, please lift the pain from me.”
And guess what? I didn’t feel a thing. It did not hurt one bit. It was a type of miracle for me, Jesus knows my heart and my intentions and I believe he blessed my decision.
Interesting blog and replies. I am a little disappointed that when you see someone with a NOTW sticker who drives or act poorly that your reaction is to suggest removing the sticker instead of improving the behavior.
Yes, I drive a big truck, and yes, I will be placing a sticker that costs me a whopping $5 on it, simply because when I see the sticker other places it reminds me, amid all the frustration and stress of daily life, to take a deep breath and remember that Christ is there for me and I really don’t need to be concerned with all the little things so much, and I hope to give that occasional reminder to others too.
I drive a big truck for the simple reason that it gets me home, through the snow, to tuck in my son every single night. Not because I feel the need to flaunt wealth (I bought it used) or haul dirt or water toys around (I don’t own any).
If others want to display the sticker, go for it! I thank them for that reminder that helps me so often. And if they speed, forget to use their turn signal, or get really mad and give someone the bird… well… my suggestion isn’t to take the sticker (be it NOTW or a fish or any other) off, but rather to look at it more often. Keep the sticker… improve the life!
Thanks Jimy for visiting and posting…
Unfortunately I don’t have the opportunity to interact with rude Christian drivers…or else I would encourage them to behave better. And you are very right in focusing on the need for Christians to encourage one another to behave better…keep it up!
I don’t begrudge Christians owning nice things. I also own a nice car (purchased used) and other nice things. I was simply pointing out the glaring inconsistency of the message proclaimed and the lifestyle demonstrated. What amazes me is the sensitivity and emotion associated with this particular issue. Of all the things I have written about on this blog, this one is third on the list of most comments made. That is odd to me. It reminds me of a sermon I preached entitled: Bumper Sticker Christianity. Our lives must push past surface level spirituality that can find encouragement and evangelism on the bumpers of passing vehicles.
hey all of this offence taken by other’s driving behavior is a great opportunity to practice forgiveness and loving in Jesus’ name. If im not mistaken its our own thoughts and actions that we are responsible for not other’s. And what power has a middle finger compared to a loving, forgiving heart in Christ???
If you’ve never been rude behind the wheel it’s a pleasure to meet the second person on earth who has never been rude. You might want to work on that bitterness and resentment thing though. If some silly sticker spins you up so much don’t put one on your car but don’t talk down to those that do. The NOTW (or any Christian sticker) is an awesome way for spontaneous fellowship to break out. Standing in the parking lot at Mammoth (with my nice skis and nice truck, purchased new….sorry) and a couple walks over and says hi, would you like to pray before we ski. Then more people see us praying and come over. You know it made a nice little break “from this world.” Oh and the reason there’s so many hits is because anyone looking for a NOTW sticker like me gets this site. (BTW, the sticker is for my nice boat, purchased new…sorry) But who knows maybe during one of our impromptu fellowship meetings at Catalina or Mammoth someone passing by will come to the Lord.
I went back to look at your site and can’t believe you say you don’t have the opportunity to interact with rude Christian drivers. You pastor a church in SoCal. Next time you’re on the pulpit look around, there will be a whole room full of them in front of you. And then you call buying a sticker “an attachment with a marketing ploy by Christian capitalists”, pretty rich. Maybe they’re tithing the money but that would require a less bitter outlook. Or maybe your ministry is just “a marketing ploy to spread radical environmentalism”. Sounds pretty ridiculous when it’s pointed at you doesn’t it.
Mike,
Are you serious? Bumper stickers are now an awesome way for spontaneous fellowship to break out! So, in my friends case, being flipped off was a cryptic invitation to fellowship?
If you cannot see the point I was making, and agree with it, I am amazed. If you do not object to (and put both things together) putting bumper stickers proclaiming a radically different lifestyle while blatantly violating the values of Jesus then you are simply being obtuse. I don’t put silly stickers on my car…but I will talk directly to people who abuse their freedom in Christ, and so should you.
I never made a claim to being free from occasional rudeness. Your observation regarding my emotional state is off base. I am neither bitter nor resentful, but thanks for your gentle chiding.
Mike, maybe you should consider buying some of your NOTW toys used…and give the extra money to help the poor. Why not put a sticker on your car encouraging people to help orphans and widows, instead of flaunting materialism masked as religion? Why is it so important to you to “justify” your new purchases? A great blog conversation for Christians would be our bowing to a culture of consumerism. Here is an idea, take all the money you would spend at Xmas and instead of buying our over-indulged children more things that tie them to this world, why don’t you give all that away?
All this in defense of a bumper sticker…
My comments were made in reference to a real (not imaginary) situation. Why is it Mike that you choose to characterize my ministry and the people in the church I serve without ever speaking to them or witnessing their behavior? I described a person’s behavior as unacceptable and then challenged an optional and at best peripheral Christian behavior. This makes me in your opinion bitter and resentful…because I object to equating frivolous behavior with substantive Christianity!?! You are making my point…bumper sticker christianity (sic) is sub-par christianity. Substantive Christianity has graduated from this level of expression.
I meant that when driving, there is not opportunity to interact with a person regarding their behavior. I interact with my congregation many times per week. I encourage them regularly to move beyond base behavior.
Do you have something against the environment?
NOTW bumper stickers help to remind us that our gas-guzzling, off-roading, behemoths are not not unjustified forays into consumerism and ecological destruction, but are glowing reminders that each 8 mpg takes us one step closer to being “caught up.”
Advent is an especially appropriate time to consider this decal. Don’t you think? You know, so we can remember that Jesus came to us in an otherwordly manger, born to ethereal parents, and raised in a sprightly white tower…oh wait…dang!
This segment is a joke..If we should not minister because we sometimes fall short then the guys who printed the Bible for all of us should not have because I am sure they did ungodly things from time to time. Focus on praying for the lost and search your heart instead of the hearts of others…
Maybe the guy was driving all crazy to get to church in time because his mother died right when the service started…I am sure you have never been in a hurry before.
I want to clarify for all of you what C28 and it’s clothing line NOTW is all about. You may think this is biased information coming from a guy that manages one of the stores, but I pray you all continue reading and are encouraged.
C28, which stands for Colossians 2:8, stands for not being deceived and taken captive by this world but being all about Christ. This doesn’t mean that you can’t buy cars, own businesses, and it certain;y does not mean that everyone becomes perfect the moment they put a NOTW sticker on the rear window of their car.
But I want to praise God in saying that because of the company’s conception in the year 2000, there have been over 10,500 people who have accepted Christ as their personal Lord and savior inside a store! How amazing is that?! This is not because we “make money off christian clothing” (because in fact, the company has not been yet profitable) but because God’s Word never returns back in void… even on a shirt!
NOTW helps encourage believers to be BOLD in their faith. And hopefully may help unify the body of Christ.
Thank you all so much for your support of our ministry! I pray you forgive those that have poor driving skills and attitudes.
Praise the Lord for hitting the modern day market (the malls) and using us to deliver your message. All glory to you!
I have enjoyed reading this blog and many of you have very interesring takes on the subject! However many also miss the point of the gospel and the great commision, we are all called to preach the gospel, (not to worry about offending non- believers) we should be in thier face with kindness and TRUTH. As for the comments concerned with material wealth, Whatever! God rejoices in our enjoying stuff,there are many verses refering to the prosperous heart of the Lord, and who would make a better witness for Christianity a successful well off person with money in the bank or a poor person with nothing to speak of , besides how can you be a blesseing (financially) to others if you have nothing to give! the issue is who is your true God? money ? I mean why are people so hung up on the stuff? its a tool we all need either to survive or to reach the lost. and for the notw debate we (the born again christian) are called to be in this world and not of this world! and the reference to John 8:23 you should read verses 21 and 22 so you can see who Jesus was talking to! you must know the context in order to fully understand. Its like the Christians who identify with the scripture that says his ways are not our ways! he wasnt talking to Christians! He was talking to the wicked! Read the whole book