BE IN THE WORLD, BUT NOT OF THE WORLD.
I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
You have probably heard so many times that Believers are supposed to “be in the world, but not part of it.” But what does that look like? How can we interact with people without being influenced by our culture?
“I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” (John 17:15-16)
Our goal as Believers is to actively engage our culture with the Gospel without allowing the culture’s morals, values, attitudes, and behaviors to infiltrate our lives. Unfortunately, we all struggle to get it right.
Some of us take ourselves away altogether. Our intentions are good. We want to protect ourselves and our families from the sin of the world. Yes, Granted, it is easier to live by God’s standards if we remove ourselves from world influence. But there is one big problem with that. In doing so, we also remove the influence of Jesus from the world. Jesus calls us to go out into the world and take the Gospel, not hunker down in a holy bunker.
“I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.” (John 17:14-18)
Others of us launch out in the culture, but because we fail to adequately protect ourselves from its influence and guard ourselves against sin, we end up thinking we are strong enough on our own to resist it. Some Believers throw up their hands in surrender without even trying to live by God’s standards.
Following Jesus’ example may feel “too hard,” “too boring,” or just “too uncomfortable.” But the majority of us compromise little by little. Often we do not even realize it is happening. We straddle the fence over here. We give slightly in another area over there. Sometimes, we also compromise with God’s standards in a misguided attempt to be “relevant.”
Being out in the world, but not like it, can be brutally difficult. How can we live in a way that impacts the world for Jesus without allowing the world to influence us?
“I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” (John 17:15-21)
This is the prayer that Jesus prayed for His disciples on the night He was betrayed: Jesus did not ask God to take His followers out of the world. Jesus told them to go into the world as His ambassadors. Instead, Jesus asked God to protect them from the enemy and all his schemes, to guard them against temptation, and to make them holy through the truth of God’s word. This is what they needed to fulfill their destiny.
Did you notice that Jesus’ prayer was not just for those handfuls of disciples? Jesus included us in that prayer – “for those who will believe in Me through their word.” The truth principles also apply to us.
We must guard our hearts and lives against temptation. Take an inventory of our lives. Where are we weak? In what areas are we most tempted? We need to ask God to help us identify those weaknesses and then take steps to protect them. We need to take precautionary measures and take things out of our life that always cause temptations which we give into.
We need to immerse ourselves in God’s Word. Know the truth inside and out so we can recognize lies when we hear them. Obey what God shows us in His Word so our lives are lived according to God’s plan for our lives. We all have a job to do, and right now, we need to roll our sleeves up and start sharing God’s love and kindness!
Will you commit to God to share His love with others today?
Heavenly Father, I will share Your love with others. I have Your Word to live by as I seek You for ways I can show others You and Your Love. This world needs Your kindness and wisdom for this hour. Keep me from the evil one. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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