Short Thought continued.....
In The World but Not Of It
‘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.’
(John 17:15-16 NIV)
It is said that as Christians we should be in the world but not of the world.
That is a call to live lives distinctive from those who do not follow Christ.
If this is true, then why do we spend our time, money and effort trying to fit in with the world?
Why are we so concerned with how many friends we have, or likes we get to posts on social media?
Why do we perhaps try to look, or act, like someone we are not?
Jesus showed us how to live in the world yet not be of it.
Jesus - the long awaited, promised Messiah.
The King of the Jews who was hoped would restore Israel back to its previous might.
He was born in a stable;
Chose everyday manual workers as his companions;
Associated with women, foreigners, sinners, the unclean;
Proclaimed the Good News to the poor, whether physically or spiritually poor, not to the wealthy;
Broke down barriers, crossed lines and challenged the traditions;
Brought release and freedom, not to the nation but to those trapped by 'Religion', sin or disease;
Demonstrated that to be greater you must serve;
Crucified in shame on a cross;
Rose to life from the grave;
Ascended into heaven.
Jesus was not the ‘knight in shining armour’ that was expected.
He didn't tick the boxes for who people expected the awaited Messiah to be, or what he would do.
Although counter-cultural, he acted through peace and love.
Jesus didn't meet the expectations of the people around him and did not try to.
He knew who he was and what God's plan was for him.
If we're called to be like Jesus, why do we try and conform
to the world's expectations so we fit in with the world?
How can you live more confidently as the unique person God has made you to be?
How is Jesus challenging you to live not ‘fitting in’ but ‘standing out’ for Him?
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