April 30, 2018 NO SURPRISES
John 17:14-16 “I have given them Thy word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of this world, even as I am not of this world. I do not ask Thee to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.”
It is now commonplace for the media, as well as the general population to ‘bash’ Christianity. It seems we are surprised and shocked by the fact that our culture rejects and opposes our faith in God. Christians are now considered narrow minded and judgmental by many in our society. Before we jump on board with this line of thought, let us as believers take some of the blame for how the world views our ‘Christianity.’ Some believers have in fact been judgmental, and have been guilty of having a double standard-professing to be a Christian, but living contrary to the gospel. However, it is true that the world in general rejects God and rejects those who live a godly life. One word of warning-if we profess to be a Christian, but live as those who are of the world, we will face little, if any opposition from the world. The big picture is that there are two kingdoms or realms-the kingdom of the world and the kingdom of God, and the two are opposed to each other-they cannot be blended, even though many may try. This basic conflict of the kingdoms is just the way it is-and always will be. The values of the two kingdoms are totally opposite. For example, the world focuses on getting, fulfilling the desires of self, and sees man as the master of his own fate. God’s kingdom is about giving, denying self, seeking God, considering others above self-the list goes on. When an unbeliever, focused on satisfying self, encounters a believer who is focused on giving, he labels and judges the believer as having a ‘holier than I’ attitude as a means of diversion. In a very natural way, the stage is set for conflict-the world, as this verse tells us, hates those who are not of this world. As believers, we have been born again, made new, taken out of this world system, and given a new identity. In regards to this conflict of the two kingdoms, there is a balancing truth that we must not overlook. It is not a contradiction, but a paradox, that God has promised us His peace in this life, and in 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, He tells us to be ambitious to live a quiet life, working, and behaving properly toward the outsiders-the unbelievers. Let us not look for or conjure up trouble, but also let us not be surprised when it comes. The good news for us is that Jesus has prayed to the Father, committing us the care and protection of God-that He would keep us from the evil one. The key part for us is to know the Father and to walk in His ways.
1 John 4:4 “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
Blessings,
Buddy
John 17:14-16 “I have given them Thy word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of this world, even as I am not of this world. I do not ask Thee to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.”
It is now commonplace for the media, as well as the general population to ‘bash’ Christianity. It seems we are surprised and shocked by the fact that our culture rejects and opposes our faith in God. Christians are now considered narrow minded and judgmental by many in our society. Before we jump on board with this line of thought, let us as believers take some of the blame for how the world views our ‘Christianity.’ Some believers have in fact been judgmental, and have been guilty of having a double standard-professing to be a Christian, but living contrary to the gospel. However, it is true that the world in general rejects God and rejects those who live a godly life. One word of warning-if we profess to be a Christian, but live as those who are of the world, we will face little, if any opposition from the world. The big picture is that there are two kingdoms or realms-the kingdom of the world and the kingdom of God, and the two are opposed to each other-they cannot be blended, even though many may try. This basic conflict of the kingdoms is just the way it is-and always will be. The values of the two kingdoms are totally opposite. For example, the world focuses on getting, fulfilling the desires of self, and sees man as the master of his own fate. God’s kingdom is about giving, denying self, seeking God, considering others above self-the list goes on. When an unbeliever, focused on satisfying self, encounters a believer who is focused on giving, he labels and judges the believer as having a ‘holier than I’ attitude as a means of diversion. In a very natural way, the stage is set for conflict-the world, as this verse tells us, hates those who are not of this world. As believers, we have been born again, made new, taken out of this world system, and given a new identity. In regards to this conflict of the two kingdoms, there is a balancing truth that we must not overlook. It is not a contradiction, but a paradox, that God has promised us His peace in this life, and in 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, He tells us to be ambitious to live a quiet life, working, and behaving properly toward the outsiders-the unbelievers. Let us not look for or conjure up trouble, but also let us not be surprised when it comes. The good news for us is that Jesus has prayed to the Father, committing us the care and protection of God-that He would keep us from the evil one. The key part for us is to know the Father and to walk in His ways.
1 John 4:4 “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
Blessings,
Buddy
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