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"They are not of the world, even as I am not of it" (John 17:16).
I saw a T-shirt with bold letters in the front proclaiming, "IN IT" and on the back, "NOT OF IT". In small print it said in parenthesis, "somewhere in John". I commented to the young man wearing it that it was an interesting expression. He said the idea is that the curious reader will look through the Gospel of John to find what it means. Although I personally question the evangelistic value of this and many of the other popular "witness" items on the market, I nevertheless appreciate the young man taking a stand and the expression sure has some thought-provoking value for other Christians. It did for me!
We indeed need to keep the truth of the phrase ever before us. In John 17 Jesus prays what many have called His "High Priestly Prayer." This was just before His trial and His atoning death on the cross. He knew full well that He was not of the world. He prayed to His Father concerning His disciples and declared, "they are not of the world."
We hardly need to be reminded that we are in the world. It daily barrages our senses in so many ways as we live in the physical, material world. But we do need to regularly proclaim, "I am not of the world." We need to remember that "the world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever" (1 John 2:17). The Bible says we are "aliens and strangers in the world" (1 Peter 2:11) and that "our citizenship is in heaven" (Philippians 3:20).
The world is opposed to God and His ways. You probably won't have to look around very far in your place of employment or college to see this. Swearing, mocking God, evil images, destructive teachings and sinful compromises abound. If you don't see them I would kindly ask if you are using spiritual discernment. Many of you are now also confronted with diversity training programs and the like which is intended to "correct" all those traditional values you were taught. In many of these programs good is called evil and evil is called good (see Isaiah 5:20).
Today, let us rejoice, for this is the day that the Lord has made and let us live our lives with a powerful "I am not of the world" outlook, seeking to honor the Lord in all we say and do!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Lord Jesus, regularly remind us that we are not of the world but are called to live as aliens and strangers in the world and as citizens of heaven. Amen
Yesterday we had lunch
with Rick Steudler, one of the businessmen we work with in our
chaplaincy ministry. Rick has a vibrant and enthusiastic personality as
well as an earnest interest in his employees. We consider it a
privilege to work with him.
"Open Hands" (audio)
"Lord Jesus, Living presence" (audio)
"Lay Aside Your Passing Pleasures" (audio)
Friday,
August 24, 2007
Last night we went to a country fair and this sheep was especially interested in greeting Brooksyne!
Last night we went to a country fair and this sheep was especially interested in greeting Brooksyne!
"In It, Not Of It"
"They are not of the world, even as I am not of it" (John 17:16).
I saw a T-shirt with bold letters in the front proclaiming, "IN IT" and on the back, "NOT OF IT". In small print it said in parenthesis, "somewhere in John". I commented to the young man wearing it that it was an interesting expression. He said the idea is that the curious reader will look through the Gospel of John to find what it means. Although I personally question the evangelistic value of this and many of the other popular "witness" items on the market, I nevertheless appreciate the young man taking a stand and the expression sure has some thought-provoking value for other Christians. It did for me!
We indeed need to keep the truth of the phrase ever before us. In John 17 Jesus prays what many have called His "High Priestly Prayer." This was just before His trial and His atoning death on the cross. He knew full well that He was not of the world. He prayed to His Father concerning His disciples and declared, "they are not of the world."
We hardly need to be reminded that we are in the world. It daily barrages our senses in so many ways as we live in the physical, material world. But we do need to regularly proclaim, "I am not of the world." We need to remember that "the world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever" (1 John 2:17). The Bible says we are "aliens and strangers in the world" (1 Peter 2:11) and that "our citizenship is in heaven" (Philippians 3:20).
The world is opposed to God and His ways. You probably won't have to look around very far in your place of employment or college to see this. Swearing, mocking God, evil images, destructive teachings and sinful compromises abound. If you don't see them I would kindly ask if you are using spiritual discernment. Many of you are now also confronted with diversity training programs and the like which is intended to "correct" all those traditional values you were taught. In many of these programs good is called evil and evil is called good (see Isaiah 5:20).
Today, let us rejoice, for this is the day that the Lord has made and let us live our lives with a powerful "I am not of the world" outlook, seeking to honor the Lord in all we say and do!
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily prayer: Lord Jesus, regularly remind us that we are not of the world but are called to live as aliens and strangers in the world and as citizens of heaven. Amen
Yesterday we had lunch
with Rick Steudler, one of the businessmen we work with in our
chaplaincy ministry. Rick has a vibrant and enthusiastic personality as
well as an earnest interest in his employees. We consider it a
privilege to work with him.Last night Brooksyne and I went to the Elizabethtown Fair and enjoyed (especially me) the extensive antique tractor display.
"Open Hands" (audio)
"Lord Jesus, Living presence" (audio)
"Lay Aside Your Passing Pleasures" (audio)
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