The Daily Nugget- Not Of The World

Hi All

Jesus says to the disciples, “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”(John 15:19) For believers being "not of the world" means rejecting the values and practices that are contrary to God's will.This involves discernment and a commitment to holiness.

Be Blessed And Encouraged

Not Of The World

I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 

(John 17:14)

After His last sermon in the Gospels, which is recorded in John 13-16,Jesus paused to pray for His disciples,and His words are preserved in the next chapter, John 17. In verse 14 he prayed "I am not of the world." 

Being eternally God,Jesus entered the world via a virgin birth and left the world by ascending to heaven from the Mount of Olives. He was truly "not of the world." When we read the first part of verse 14 it is a truly remarkable statement because Jesus said of His followers “ They are not of the world just as I am not of the world”. When Jesus made this statement He was referring to all believers !

We don't belong to this world anymore than Jesus did. Our citizenship is in heaven, our eternal home is there and our values are determined from there…just like Him. These aren't  easy days to be a Christian, but no such days have ever existed. The challenge of living a Christian life in today's culture can't be used as an excuse for not walking with God. Stay true to Him no matter what the world says. If sometimes you feel out of place on planet Earth, remember that you are a citizen of heaven.