John 17:11 - 20 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 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. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.[a] 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them[b] in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself,[c] that they also may be sanctified[d] in truth.
20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,
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In the reading above, Jesus said a powerful prayer in which He stated that He was in the world but not of this world. Beloved, our walk with Jesus teaches us to bear the fruits of the Spirit and not live as those in the world do - According to the desire of the flesh.
We have been bought at an awesome price and therefore we ought to glorify the Father in everything that we do. We have been made shepherds over flocks in the church and in the secular world. Paul says that we must work with our hands (gainfully employed) so that we do not covet any ones gold, silver or clothing. We should be an example for people to desire God because of our lifestyle. We should note however that there are wolves among the flock who will distract us and cause us to compromise. This is what we see in the church today where biblical doctrines are being interpreted by worldly standards.
You will be hated both in the church and the world as your lives become a beacon of hope to the lost. Stand firm and walk with Jesus with the Holy Spirit mentoring you all the time and you will see the salvation of the Lord.
In this time of the Covid-19 pandemic let us show love by giving as Jesus said "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Are we meeting the needs of our friends and the vulnerable people in the society?
Let us be givers so that God will be glorified. Amen. Walk by the Spirit of Faith and Love.
Heavenly Father, we thank you for protecting us in our going out and coming in. Help us to increase our faith in you so that we may be able to help others to access the kingdom. May your name be praised forever and ever. Amen.
