We Don't Belong Here
Rev. Charles Oppong-Poku | September 23 2024 | John 17:14-16
KEY VERSE:
¹⁴ I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. ¹⁵ My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. John 17:14-15 (NIV)
MESSAGE:
In John 17:14-16, Jesus prays for His disciples, acknowledging the tension between their place in the world and their true identity in Him. Jesus makes it clear that, like Him, His followers do not belong to this world. Though they live in it, they are set apart for a higher purpose. This devotional explores what it means to be in the world but not of it, highlighting the challenges and responsibilities of living as God's people in a world that is often hostile to His ways.
Believers are distinct from the world because God's Word shapes their lives, which often leads to opposition, just as Jesus faced hatred. The more we live according to God's truth, the more tension we will experience with worldly values. Our true identity is rooted in God's kingdom, not in the temporary systems of this world.
Jesus prays not for His disciples to be removed from the world, but for their protection from the evil one. This highlights that while we don't belong here, we have a mission to fulfil as witnesses of God's love and truth. Despite the hostility of the world, God's protection is always with us, guarding our faith and helping us resist temptation.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
As followers of Jesus Christ, we are fundamentally different from the world and set apart for God’s use. Our lives should reflect this difference, marked by holiness and dedication to God's purposes. As we grow in our relationship with Him, our lives are transformed by the truth of His Word. We no longer conform to the world but are shaped by the values of God’s kingdom.
PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for reminding us that we are not of this world but belong to Your kingdom. Help us to live faithfully in this world, reflecting Your truth and love, even when we face challenges or opposition. Protect us from the evil one and sanctify us by Your Word, that we may fulfil the purpose You have for us. For your dear name’s sake, Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
DAILY word study: NOT OF THE WORLD The phrase "not of the world" (ouk ek tou kosmou) refers to a fundamental difference in nature or origin. Believers are spiritually distinct from the world because they belong to God’s kingdom.
In this context, Jesus emphasizes that His followers, though physically in the world, are spiritually separated from its values, systems, and ways. Their identity is rooted in Christ, which makes them distinct from the world’s standards. This phrase reminds us that Christians are pilgrims in the world, temporarily placed here but belonging to an eternal kingdom. It calls believers to live lives that reflect their heavenly citizenship, embracing God’s values over worldly ones.
Reflections:
How does knowing that you are "not of the world" shape the way you live daily? Are you reflecting the values of God’s kingdom in a world that often opposes them?
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