John 17:13-19 The Message
13-19 Now I’m returning to you.
I’m saying these things in the world’s hearing
So my people can experience
My joy completed in them.
I gave them your word;
The godless world hated them because of it,
Because they didn’t join the world’s ways,
Just as I didn’t join the world’s ways.
I’m not asking that you take them out of the world
But that you guard them from the Evil One.
They are no more defined by the world
Than I am defined by the world.
Make them holy—consecrated—with the truth;
Your word is consecrating truth.
In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world,
I give them a mission in the world.
I’m consecrating myself for their sakes
So they’ll be truth-consecrated in their mission.
Word of God for the Children of God
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
John 17:15-17 Amplified Bible
15 I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but that You keep them and protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth [set them apart for Your purposes, make them holy]; Your word is truth.
Jesus makes it good and clear those who have set their hopes in Him and gone on to follow Him are not going to fit in too well with the world around them.
If we think about it does it make sense?
Those so bold as to devote themselves to seeking Christ are shifting their center interest away from all that the worldly men will chase.
Yet there may be a growing trend developing in many churches to blend in with our society as Christians.
The religious concept behind this movement may appear to have good motives.
We might think we could reach more people by rubbing shoulders with them.
We could imagine ourselves to be more effective witnesses if we do not stand out as freaks to society.
Although true to some degree could these kinds of sentiments hide clever tricks intelligently placed within the path of the true servants of the Lord?
Could Jesus be bracing us for this movement by deliberately praying for us not to be taken out of the world, but to be shielded, be protected while we are in it?
For many years Christians were pleased to stand out on their faith in the Scriptures.
They saw that a higher level of morals and going to church brought their hearts better in tune with God.
For them, to wear the mantra of Christian meant to make this great distinction.
Some took it further and ran to the hills in their devout effort to please God and prepare for Jesus´ second coming.
They figured why flee in some future day when we can get out of society early by finding a more remote setting in which to live.
They, like the Christian who embraces society with the idea of witnessing to it would like to think they are doing what they do to please God.
So which one is right?
Neither? Or both?
If we dig a little deeper we could argue both extremes.
Christians today could seek to remove themselves from their society and there are sufficient texts in the Bible to give them the notion that they should.
At the same time the opposite is also clearly asked of Jesus´ followers to go to the world and give their testimony.
So what does this mean?
Do we have a contradiction?
Are God´s children given conflicting instructions?
Or would the Lord have us know what we are talking about when we are not of the world but must be in it?
The answer of our race is still the same.
Jesus is our answer.
He always was needed and He is still needed now.
Old Testament religion looked forward to His day.
New Testament religion heralded His arrival and His Sacrifice.
Modern time religion will have to take its stand upon nothing less.
Therefore our brothers and sisters who live in the big cities need their Savior just as much as those who are living in the most removed corners of the world.
Everyone will need to come humbly to Christ.
This is not a stand on doctrines but a real and personal, intimate encounter!
Our distinction will never save us if it is a distinction of geographic, social or denominational sort.
Our distinction can place us under the protection of God through Jesus´ priestly prayer only if we are truly right with Him. What then should we pray for today?
“As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.” John 17:18
Many churches send teams of young people on short-term mission trips.
As they serve, God uses them to bless others, but these young people often note that they are the ones who benefit most from the experience.
Their eyes are opened to the physical and spiritual needs of people of different cultures and races.
They also learn that we don’t need to get on an airplane to visit a mission field.
Jesus prays for his followers in John 17.
He asks not that we be taken out of the world but that God would protect us as he sends us into the world around us.
The call may be to another far off country, but let’s be careful not to ignore our classrooms, workplaces, neighborhoods which we already know many people.
As you manage your business, or teach the students in your class, or serve on a committee in your community, or follow up with a co-worker in the lunchroom about a rebellious child, be aware that that is our primary places of our mission.
People today are hungry for God.
We need to know how to engage people in conversations and relationships that don’t have a fake worldly “agenda” other than to simply show the love of Jesus.
Ask God today to give you listening ears and to give others an open heart that will respond. As he sends you, know that Jesus continues to work through you.
In the name of God, the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit,
Praying …
Psalm 121 English Standard Version
My Help Comes from the Lord
A Song of Ascents.
121 I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot be moved;
he who keeps you will not slumber.
4 Behold, he who keeps Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord is your keeper;
the Lord is your shade on your right hand.
6 The sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
8 The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
Loving God, Living God, Loving Hope, Living Hope, Loving Living Life His Way! "Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. And still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues." - Brother Lawrence (1605-1691), Practicing the Presence of God (1692). 