Not of This World

It's hard watching our nation crumble from what it once was to what it is now. I'm not talking about any kind of Trump or Biden thing. The problems of this world are far greater than any one man can dish out. And sadly we haven't seen the worst of it yet.

This will be hard to take for many but the verses I am sharing today are from Jesus. And He is ultimately where our hope is found. This first verse should get you thinking.

Jesus was praying to God The Father about His disciples shortly before His death ....

“I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 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. 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 17:13-16

Are you of this world? Does the world seem strange to you lately? When you express your concerns about it, do people attack and condemn you for your observations?

Congratulations! You too are 'not of this world.' That should be a badge we wear proudly.

Things can seem pretty dark when we watch or read the news stories these days. Here's a reminder from Jesus ....

"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33

Shortly before His crucifixion, Jesus had this exchange with Pontius Pilate. 

"Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”

“You are a king, then!” said Pilate.

Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” - John 18:36-37

We should have hope when we see these crazy and evil things happening in this world. Why? Because it means that Jesus will be coming back very soon! In the meantime, remember what Jesus said.

WE ARE NOT OF THIS WORLD!