Wednesday, October 9, 2024
NOT OF THIS WORLD!
John 15:17-19
17 These things I command you, that ye love
one another.
18 If the world hate you, ye know that it
hated me before it hated you.
19 If ye were of the world, the world would
love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but
I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
Christianity began as
an insignificant baker’s dozen plodding the streets of Jerusalem. As far as the world was concerned, this
little band was hardly worth a second glance. Their leader was a poor carpenter
of questionable birth who had a strange personal magnetism. He attracted a
handful of societal misfits who wandered the streets and generally made
themselves a nuisance. The world hated them. Their leader was eventually
crucified, one follower committed suicide, and one-by-one the rest were
dispatched in order.
The spread of
Christianity can only be described as “otherworldly.” Its growth doesn’t make much sense and what
was once an obscure cult is now a worldwide force. But the bonding of
Christianity and American culture is an uncomfortable alliance where both sides
question whether it is appropriate to be part of the other. As long as
Christianity doesn’t demand culture to radically change the alliance is
friendly, but when Christianity proves itself to be truly Christian
the relationship is strained. The world still hates us! John Gambold said: "The
laws of Christ condemn a vicious world, and goad it to revenge!"
Settle it in your
heart that the world will continue to resist true Christianity. You will constantly be required to choose
between pleasing the world or pleasing God. You will never find a comfortable
middle ground. Stop trying to compromise with the culture because the world can
offer you nothing beyond this life. Only Jesus can do that.
John 16:33
33 These things I have spoken unto you, that
in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of
good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Dear Lord, the world is a disappointing place
because I am not from here. I don’t belong here, and I’m not staying here! The
discomfort that I feel is due to my being displaced from my true home. Come
quickly and take me to be with you. AMEN
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