In this new blog series, I want to stop and pause and take a closer look at this awesome, crazy, amazing, rotten, wicked, fantastic world Jesus tells us to go into... in order to share the good news!
It might be opposed to popular Christian thinking, but Jesus actually prayed to God the Father and asked Him not to take us out of this world. We are not supposed to live on a spiritual island, safe within our little Christian circles. It is His will that we are in this world, but not without protection.
I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one (John 17:15).
Don't take 'm out of this world, Jesus prayed, because the world needs to see My disciples. Just make sure You keep them safe, Father. Just think about that, we are supposed to be in this world. However, we do not belong to it. Jesus made that very clear when He prayed: They do not belong to this world any more than I do (John 17:16).
👉Please, read John 17:10-20 a few times (preferably in different Bible translations) and let that precious prayer really speak to you. It is a prayer for all of us, for today.
If we are in this world, but not of this world, how then shall we live? How do we keep ourselves from being polluted by worldly thinking, talking, and habits? A friend of this world is an enemy of God, the Bible says.
I hope you will join me in this new blog series! Feel free to share your thoughts and comments.
I find it interesting that God has been calling me lately to a more consecrated life, set apart for Him, but not to impress Him or get His approval. Rather to worship Him more and reflect Him to others who don't yet know Him. Thanks for this encouraging post, that fits with what's currently going on in my life.
ReplyDeleteAh, thank you for your comment Jeanette, I think this is exactly the key... God wants us to be set apart, to be holy, to be different. I am glad my post confirms what the Holy Spirit has been showing you.
DeleteHI Marja, Yes, the people of G-d were always called out to be set apart and to live according to His ways and not to mix His ways with the ways of the world. It is a challenge, but a good and wonderful one to live in the world but not of it. We are just starting a new Torah cycle from `Bereisheet` which means `In the beginning`(Genesis), and your post reminds me that always a time to start anew and focus on how to live according to G-d`s ways. Blessings and Love, ❤️
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments Sahyndel, very valuable to add to this post! We are called, set apart, to be holy for Him. Yes, holy amidst an evil world.
DeleteNice post thank you Cheryl
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