In the World But Not of the World
“I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world.” John 17:14 NRSV
Series: Life of the Beloved
Devotional: 6 of 6
In this series, we have explored four foundational truths about who God is and who we are as His beloved children. In Him, we are chosen, blessed, broken, and given.
To be chosen, blessed, broken, and given is, in many ways, deeply entwined with the idea of belonging.
To whom do you belong? Perhaps that sounds like an odd question. At first glance, the question may not seem to have much of an impact on how we live our daily lives.
Jesus' prayer for His disciples, recorded in the Gospel of John, speaks directly to this idea of our belonging.
"I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world." (John 17:14-16 NRSV)
As Jesus' apprentices, our allegiance is to Him and Him alone. His prayer clearly reminds us that on this side of Heaven, we are called to be in the world but not of the world. But as His beloved, how does this play out day-to-day?
Here are three things worth considering?
First, the longer we have been following Jesus, without even realizing it, we often fall into the trap of isolating ourselves from anyone who doesn't share our faith in Him. However, to be in the world, but not of the world, is to be intentional about cultivating relationships with people who are far from God. Jesus has called each of His followers to go and make disciples. (See Matthew 28:19-20)
Second, living in the world means living our lives on the front lines, actively fighting for the souls of so many who are currently living in darkness. Make no mistake, on the front lines, we will experience suffering for the sake of the Gospel. The enemy of our souls is relentless in his schemes against every apprentice of Jesus who is willing to take up their cross and follow Him. But the apostle Peter reminds us that "For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God's will, than to suffer for doing evil." (See 1 Peter 3:17 NRSV)
Finally, we can take heart that in the end, laying down our lives for the advancement of the Gospel here on earth will not be in vain. Indeed, Romans 8:18 tells us that our "sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us."
OnThe3rdDay Devotionals
Devotionals that illustrate Biblical principles in a simple and short format that can be applied to your everyday life.
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