The World Against
John 15: 18-19
"If the world hates you, you know that it hated me before it hated you.
If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you."
Jesus speaks of how we, as His chosen ones, are set apart from the world; and because of our status, are subject to persecution, condemnation, criticism and taunting. However before we lament our slighted position in the world's eyes, we have to remember that it was Christ who first received rejection from the world, betrayal from His closest and isolation from those whose lives He saved.
So we, before we begin wallowing in self pity, desperation for returns to worldly desires, and hypocrisy; have to remember that we were bought from the world at a great price and that our lives, ultimately, belong to Him and not to the world. For He loves us more than the world ever would, and can.
It is easier proclaiming platitudes than it is to realise stark sincere truths in what is said and living them out, instead, with simple faith.
The world, which is always not that far behind, still haunts me day to day, and wages the second greatest battle on my faith by creeping up on me, who is plainly my own worst enemy. More than six months on and there are still habits and thoughts that stick on. There is wealth, material possessions, intellectual pursuits, relationships and psychological or emotional states - and in all these the world exerts its tangible influences.
Each day sees me facing these demons and questions like: When will I be able to overcome? Why do I still feel insecure, not just occasionally but daily, regularly? Lord, when will my breakthrough arrive?
But yes the world hates me, my faith, for in HIm there is true strength, one that threatens the world's thresholds of power.
Dear Christ my Lord,
I am weak and vulnerable to what the world throws at me. The world that I've been living in for over 20 years and still come face to face with day to day, is no easy battle. Dear Lord I pray, please make me strong so I can face these mounting challenges. Fill my cup with Your Spirit, for the Spirit encourages, protects and comforts me.
I don't want to dream of being rich in worldliness but to be rich in the Word, Your promises and to better know and feel Your love. For Lord You have chosen me and there's nothing more You want, save my heart.
Dear Christ I repent for my selfishness and self-deception, for wanting to hold on to the many things I possess and desire to have. I thought it was hard to let go and I was reluctant to admit that even without what I did, or did not have, I was sufficient. What I was doing was curbing my freedom and slighting the grace You showed me.
Dear Lord I pray that You'll continually bless me with the strength and wisdom to fight the evil spirits of the world. I want to fix my eyes only on the cross where You, and not the world, loved me enough to pay the greatest price of dying for me and my sins. Thank You.
In Jesus name, Amen.
"If the world hates you, you know that it hated me before it hated you.
If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you."
Jesus speaks of how we, as His chosen ones, are set apart from the world; and because of our status, are subject to persecution, condemnation, criticism and taunting. However before we lament our slighted position in the world's eyes, we have to remember that it was Christ who first received rejection from the world, betrayal from His closest and isolation from those whose lives He saved.
So we, before we begin wallowing in self pity, desperation for returns to worldly desires, and hypocrisy; have to remember that we were bought from the world at a great price and that our lives, ultimately, belong to Him and not to the world. For He loves us more than the world ever would, and can.
It is easier proclaiming platitudes than it is to realise stark sincere truths in what is said and living them out, instead, with simple faith.
The world, which is always not that far behind, still haunts me day to day, and wages the second greatest battle on my faith by creeping up on me, who is plainly my own worst enemy. More than six months on and there are still habits and thoughts that stick on. There is wealth, material possessions, intellectual pursuits, relationships and psychological or emotional states - and in all these the world exerts its tangible influences.
Each day sees me facing these demons and questions like: When will I be able to overcome? Why do I still feel insecure, not just occasionally but daily, regularly? Lord, when will my breakthrough arrive?
But yes the world hates me, my faith, for in HIm there is true strength, one that threatens the world's thresholds of power.
Dear Christ my Lord,
I am weak and vulnerable to what the world throws at me. The world that I've been living in for over 20 years and still come face to face with day to day, is no easy battle. Dear Lord I pray, please make me strong so I can face these mounting challenges. Fill my cup with Your Spirit, for the Spirit encourages, protects and comforts me.
I don't want to dream of being rich in worldliness but to be rich in the Word, Your promises and to better know and feel Your love. For Lord You have chosen me and there's nothing more You want, save my heart.
Dear Christ I repent for my selfishness and self-deception, for wanting to hold on to the many things I possess and desire to have. I thought it was hard to let go and I was reluctant to admit that even without what I did, or did not have, I was sufficient. What I was doing was curbing my freedom and slighting the grace You showed me.
Dear Lord I pray that You'll continually bless me with the strength and wisdom to fight the evil spirits of the world. I want to fix my eyes only on the cross where You, and not the world, loved me enough to pay the greatest price of dying for me and my sins. Thank You.
In Jesus name, Amen.
