Not of the World

Jesus prayed in John 17:15-18, "My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world."

I'm thinking about the world and our culture, and its influence on us as God's people. We are influenced by our culture - big time. The evil one uses the values and pressures of our society against us. He uses these against our faith and against our calling. Jesus prayed that as we are in the world, the Father would protect us from the evil one. We need God's protection from the evil one. We also need to be aware that the enemy uses the world against us as we live in it.

We are not of this world. Not any more! Thank you, Father!
For "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son" Colossians 1:13

So here we are "not of this world" - yet in it. Our goal in this world is not to fit in, assimilate, and be like the average person. If we're honest here, could you admit,"Oh right, I forgot about that...I was actually really trying hard to fit in!"? That's the scheme of the enemy and that's exactly where we find ourselves a lot of times. We get conned into living...um...diminished lives. We get caught up in the small and petty; forgetting that we are sent.

We are sent...as Jesus was sent. Sent on a mission, sisters! Sent to reconcile man to God. To be salt, to be light, to love, and to testify to the Truth by how we live...here in the world.

It's not about me getting out of the world,
but getting the world out of me.

How do I live "not of this world?" By applying - living - this verse that we've quoted soooo many times here on Soul Kitchen.
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

Do not let the world form your value system. Let God - your Maker - shape your values through the truth of His Word. Read the word. Know it. Ask God to renew your mind according to the truth. And let's continue to encourage each other to walk worthy of our calling.

You are precious! Let your light shine for the Glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.