A Paradox: A statement that seems to contradict itself but may nonetheless be true; A person, thing, or situation that exhibits inexplicable or contradictory aspects; A statement that is self-contradictory or logically untenable, though based on a valid deduction from acceptable premises.
God gave this world a second chance after He destroyed it with The Great Deluge (a.k.a., Noah’s flood). God judged and destroyed everything on the earth because He was sorry He had made mankind as everyone had become wicked, doing evil all the time.
This “Greatest of all Resets” was intended to give one righteous man and his family the task of repopulating the earth. However, since “the heart of man is wicked” it has only been a matter of time before man’s deeds, again, became evil.
God’s intention and work of judging wickedness and removing evil from the earth and from the heart of man has not changed, however. Jesus and His Word tell us that we as Christians are in this world to influence this world for God and His purposes, we are not to be part of this world.
Jesus went on to explain that we are to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, and that our light must shine before people in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Jesus also warns that if it seems like the world hates you, just remember that it hated Jesus first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are not part of the world because Jesus chose you to come out of the world, and, that is why this world will hate you.
Finally, do you remember that Jesus told us, a slave is not greater than the master. So, since they persecuted Him, naturally they will persecute you.
If those of the world had listened to Jesus, then, they would listen to you, too. But, they won’t listen to you because of Jesus; and, they reject the One who sent Him.” (Paraphrase John 15:18-21)
AND, WHY ARE WE IN THIS WORLD?
- Jesus says, in Matthew 10:16
(a) “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be as wary as serpents, and as innocent as doves.
WHY ARE WE NOT OF THIS WORLD?
(b) Matthew 10:17 tells us, “But be on guard against people, for they will hand you over to the courts and flog you in their synagogues; Verse 18. And you will even be brought before governors and kings on My account, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. Verse 19. But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given you in that hour. Verse 20. For it is not you who are speaking, but it is the Spirit of your Father who is speaking in you.
- Matthew 10:1, Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and
WHY ARE WE IN THIS WORLD?
(a) gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness.
(b) Verse 7. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’
(c) Verse 8. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.
(d) Verse 9. Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, Verse 10. or a bag for your journey, or even two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is deserving of his support.
(e) Verse 11. And whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it, and stay at his house until you leave that city. Verse 12. As you enter the house, give it your greeting. Verse 13. If the house is worthy, see that your blessing of peace comes upon it. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace.
WHY ARE WE NOT OF THIS WORLD?
(f) Matthew 10:14 tells us, “And whoever does not receive you nor listen to your words, as you leave that house or city, shake the dust off your feet. Verse 15. Truly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment, than for that city.”
WHY ARE WE IN THIS WORLD?
- “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Verse 19. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Verse 20. teaching them to follow all that I commanded you;
WHY ARE WE NOT OF THIS WORLD?
…and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Since this is so, why are so many ‘Christians’ drawing near to the world, following and adopting their methods? (You and I need to answer this question).
Follow this link to “Got Questions” But Not of This World.
The day of His return is drawing near. We can not be standing idly by, watching and waiting. We have been called and sent to GO and to DO!
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
Click this link to go to “Not of This World, Part 2”
Scripture references:
John 17:11 ¶ “I am no longer in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, that they may be one even as We are.
12 “While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which You have given Me; and I guarded them and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.
13 “But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves.
14 “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
15 “I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one.
16 “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
17 ¶ “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.
18 “As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.
19 “For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.
20 ¶ “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word;
21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.
22 “The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one;
23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.
John 15:18 ¶ “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.
19 “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.
20 “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
21 “But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know the One who sent Me.
Whitestone Fellowship 