Sunday, November 13, 2022

In, but not of this world (3)

Jesus said: As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you (John 15:18-19).

Jesus has chosen us out of the world, yet at the same time, He requested that God would not take us out of the world (John 17:15). How to interpret this?

As I wrote in my previous blog, this is the rescue plan: He wants to save us from this evil world. It is possible to live in this world but not belong to it, because we belong to the Kingdom of God (Galatians 1:4-5).

This evil world... is it that bad? Yes, and we should stop acting as if that is a big surprise. 1 John 5:19 says: We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one. ðŸ‘‰The world is under control of the evil one, scary maybe... but let's not forget that the Kingdom is under God's control!

This is the difference between darkness and light. Somehow both are present in the world we live in. We can see the evil around us clearly, daily even. But what about the light? Do we shine in this dark world? Are we visible as children of the light?

In Philippians 2:14-15 it is written: Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. 

This is our calling, this is our assignment, no matter what the circumstances are. In my next post, we will look at how and what in order to make this practical!


6 comments:

  1. Amen! Let there be Light! We are honored to be called to be the light in this world.
    Thank you for your comment about about the fruit trees and your travels. Blessed to receive it and the fragrance from the Holy Land!! Blessings and Shalom.

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    1. Ah, glad to see you here Shayndel, thanks for stopping by and our travels fitted your post so well!

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  2. Yes, Marja, let us be God's light in this darkened world.
    Blessings!

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    1. Amen! My husband always says that darkness is just a lack of light.

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  3. God's light leads us through each day, whether we are going through good times or are confronted by the evil in the world. Peace and blessings to you and yours.

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    1. He is indeed always with us, so we have nothing to fear!. Thanks Cecelia, for stopping by.

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Thanks for your visit, it is my hope and prayer that this post was an encouragement to you! Feel free to leave a comment.