SCRIPTURE: JOHN 17:14-16

John 17:14-16 paints a perfect picture of how we are to act as image bearers of God. It describes how our two motivations in life should be to disciple (share the Word) and to look different than the world around us (model the Word). This is impossible for many people because of the influence that the evil one has in this world. Most resort to silence and/or conformity with the world. We are called to be in the world, but we are not called to be of it. We are no longer subjected to the rule of Satan because of Jesus Christ. Satan is the “god of this age” and the “ruler of this world” because he corrupts the ideals, goals, interests, and hopes of the masses.

Many belong to the ruler of this world and they despise us because they fear the truth will reveal their desires, motivations, and deeds. They don’t want others to see it, just as they don’t want to see it themselves because of shame or guilt (John 3:20). They are only concerned with things of the flesh and live according to these flesh oriented desires (Romans 8:5).

Those who are of the world are those who profess to be “Christians” yet hide the truth in order to conform to the standards and systems of the world. They say they know God but they act against His laws (Titus 1:16). They cry out “Lord” but they do not do what God says in His Word (Luke 6:46). They are “Christians” only when it’s convenient for them, they have yet to surrender their lives to the Holy Spirit and the will of God.

Children of God are sent in the world as missionaries in their spheres of influence, by being light through words and actions crediting such to the glory of the Heavenly Father who makes all things possible (Matthew 5:16). We have been sanctified (set apart) for God's purposes when we are in the Word of God because of the gradual process and work of the Holy Spirit. We will be hated and casted out from the world because darkness always attempts to cast out the light (John 15:19). Even though the world hates the truth, take heart because Christ has overcome the world.