This World Is Not My Home

 THIS WORLD IS NOT MY HOME

“They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” - John 17:16

Home. That four letter word has great meaning to me. Few things bring me peace of mind, clarity of focus and waves of emotion like thoughts of home. The heart longs for the tranquility and love that exists at home. The old expression summarizes it best, “There's no place like home.”

When we think of home, we often go back in time to our upbringing. If you had a happy childhood, you probably have fond memories of the time you spent growing up with your father and mother. That old home-place may not exist now, but it is standing tall and strong in the vivid portrait of your mind. We have such fond recollections about our childhood because we were insulated from many of the world's problems. We did not have adult responsibilities back then. There in the innocence of our youth, strong memories were developed. We often long to return to such a time, even for a brief moment.

As adults, we've worked, saved and invested so we could eventually purchase a home for ourselves. We want to create such memories for our children to experience and enjoy. We tend to relive our youth through the lives of our children and grandchildren. We want our home to be a place that is a safe haven for them, a place that they will cherish.

Home is a place for family. As such, a good local church serves as another home that is special to us. When I was growing up, church attendance was not an option. We were in church every Sunday. I have memories of those days. Many of the saints who worshiped are not longer with us. Yet their spirit and love are still remembered by this author. Church is a spiritual home for believers. At church, lives are changed, hearts are touched and love is shared.

As believers, we have another home. A home that is perfect. It is eternal. This home is a place we call heaven. The temptation is for our roots to grow deep in this world. Yet this world is not our home. Your place of residence is just a temporary home. Your local church is just a home away from home. Our ultimate home is the abode of God, heaven.

When Jesus prayed in John 17, He spoke of His disciples when He said, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” These words are true of us as well. No, we are not of this world. At one time, we were of this world. Our desires, goals and dreams were very selfish and worldly. But when Jesus entered our lives, He changed all of this. Now our permanent residence has been changed to a different country. Our affections have been altered. As we grow in our faith, it becomes more obvious that we don't really fit in this world.

As we see our world spiral into deeper levels of sin and depravity, our stand for truth and righteousness is in glaring contrast to the views of others. More and more, a committed Christian is viewed as “weird.” Back in the 1970's, the phrase, “Jesus Freaks,” was used as a derogatory description of zealous Christians. These days, we are viewed as bigoted, mean and intolerant.

Jesus was not of this world either. He was controversial, misunderstood, and even hated. Ultimately, the religious crowd encouraged the Roman government to execute Jesus. If we love Jesus and live for Him, why should we expect better treatment than He received?

Our job is not to find a way to fit in this world. It is not our mandate to make Christianity, “cool,” “relevant,” or “popular.” Our commission is to proclaim the Gospel in this world. We are not to change it so others will easily embrace the message. Instead, we are to boldly share the message in its fullness. The message will be received by some but scorned and rejected by many.

Also, it is not our job to conform to this world so that we will be more popular. Obviously, we are not be obnoxious either. Rather, we are to be people of integrity and live holy lives in this unholy world. I will never be “Citizen of the Year.” That's okay with me.

Since I am not of this world, I should not expect the world's applause. They are marching to a different beat. They are following a different leader. They are going in an opposite direction.

This world is not our home. Like Jesus, we are not of this world. Our home is in heaven. Our treasures are there. We are not pursuing the accolades of men. We are pursuing a crown. We don't covet the praise of men. Instead, we yearn to hear our Father say, “Well done.”

As I grow older, this world becomes less and less attractive. My thoughts drift toward a perfect place. It's a place I've never been to. Yet it is my home.

Like the old song says, “This world is not my home, I'm just passing through.”

Insulation, Not Isolation

 

INSULATION, NOT ISOLATION

“I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.” - John 17:15

Leonard Ravenhill once said, “The greatest miracle that God can do today is to take an unholy man out of an unholy world and make him holy, then put him back into that unholy world and keep him holy in it.” Study those words carefully.

When Jesus prayed to the Father in John 17, He addressed the issue of living in an ungodly world. Jesus was nearing the cross. The resurrection and ascension would follow. The disciples would be left to face an unbelieving, hostile world. We face the same dilemma ourselves.

The disciples would be entrusted with the message of the Gospel, the future of the church and the spread of Christianity. That's an impossible task. To make things worse, they would be faced with this task while enduring major persecution. So Jesus prayed for them. Of course, the Holy Spirit would also be sent to empower them to accomplish these things.

Knowing the challenges His disciples would face, Jesus prayed, “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.” Let's consider this request. Jesus prayed about their purpose and their protection.

First of all, Jesus prayed for the disciples, focusing on their purpose. “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world.” Rather than becoming monks and living a life of isolation, Jesus prayed for them to remain in the world.

At times, it would be tempting to get away from this world, wouldn't it? Like the Psalmist, we feel like saying, “Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.” The problems, pain and persecution we have in this world have us aching for a better life in a better place. There is a better place just ahead for us. In the meantime, we are called to minister where God has planted us. Yes, there is a time when we must “get away,” from everything to get our spirit refreshed and renewed, but we are not called to remain there. Taking a vacation or going on a spiritual retreat is wonderful, but this is not to become our dwelling place. It would be tempting to “feel a call” to do mission work at a beautiful vacation getaway, but that is not normally the case, is it?

We have just a brief period of time to live here on earth. God has called us to be salt and light in this world. He uses common people like you and me to impact the culture with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Thus, we are called to remain here in this world. Don't give up hope. Our Lord is soon returning for us.

Although we are not to live in isolation from the world, Jesus prayed that His disciples would be insulated from the world. Notice how He prayed, “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.” While He prayed that His disciples would be blessed to fulfill their purpose, Jesus also prayed for their protection. He prayed for His disciples to be insulated, not isolated, from this world.

There is much evil in our world. The devil is a wicked foe, seeking whom he may destroy. The world laughs at our belief that the devil exists. As humans, we tend to overestimate our ability. We also tend to underestimate the devil. So Jesus prayed for the protection of His disciples.

The devil once complained that God had put a hedge of protection around Job. It frustrated the devil that he didn't have unlimited access to Job's life. Although it seems like the devil is very successful these days, we must remember that he has limited power. He is on a short leash. Yet we need divine protection every moment. The devil is shrewd. He is cunning. He doesn't fight fair.

Jesus prayed for the protection of His disciples. We need such security ourselves. The President has the Secret Service nearby to protect him. We have the Spirit within us, the angels around us and a Savior praying for us. What a security team surrounds us!

While it is tempting at times to fly away like a dove, we have a job to do. We are on assignment for the King. We are ambassadors for Christ in a world of moral and sinful decay. God has given us a mission to fulfill.

Let's be faithful until He calls us home.

From Tragedy To Triumph

FROM TRAGEDY TO TRIUMPH

A personal reaction to the assassination of Charlie Kirk

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” - John 12:24

I typically write these blog messages about three weeks or more in advance. This message is an exception. Last week, I posted a message entitled, WHY CHRISTIANS ARE HATED. I wrote that message in the middle of August, but when I posted it online last weekend, I had no idea that we'd be facing a week of great tragedy, spawned by hatred. The message seemed almost prophetic.

This week, Charlie Kirk was shot and killed in front of thousands of young people. Charlie was very outspoken about his political and spiritual views. He related easily with young people. Yet this 31-year old man was gunned down simply because he expressed his views publicly. His death has greatly impacted our nation. He was murdered by a man with hatred in his heart.

Many Christians continue to mourn Charlie's death. A few people have delighted in his death, which shows you the depth of depravity that exists in our nation. Civility is missing from our country. Truth is despised. Truth bearers are targets. This event highlights the senseless hatred and violence that has spread across our land. Charlie Kirk was killed because he shared what he believed.

This whole ordeal doesn't make sense, does it? Some even question why would God permit such a faithful witness to perish like that.

Yet we've never been promised an easy life. We're not immune to tragic events. Little children die of cancer. Promising young people are killed in automobile accidents. Missionaries are martyred. Christians perish in tornadoes.

Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” This verse does not teach that all things are good. There are many things in life that are bad. Instead, this verse teaches us that all things work together for good. Bad things can work together for an ultimate good result.

How can the Charlie Kirk assassination work for good? His precious family is in shock and mourning. His followers are heartbroken. Many are grieving. The devastation is real, deep and personal.

I am not God. I don't know why this situation was allowed to happen. From a human perspective, I am deeply saddened by his death. I can't image the pain his family is enduring.

Yet I know that God is in control. As a follower of Jesus, Charlie Kirk is in a better place. He is doing better than we are. Many thought that Charlie Kirk had a promising future ahead of him. He does. He will abide in the presence of God forever. That's the most promising future any person can experience. For him, this tragedy has turned to triumph.

Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” According to Jesus, a harvest of corn is enjoyed because death occurred to the seed. Most of us want to see much fruit, but we don't want to experience death. We want the product of the harvest without investing in the process.

Perhaps this week's tragedy will awaken many Christians to rise up and boldly take the Gospel to the world. Maybe many will be motivated to get out of their comfort zone and get in the growth zone. Perhaps this will be a rallying cry for the Church to get serious about the Great Commission. It could be that this painful experience may lead to revival here in America.

Yet I want to remind you of something. There was a senseless death that took place long ago. On a hill called Calvary, Jesus was put to death by wicked men. How can anything good come from that?

Well, everything actually hinges on that event over two thousand years ago. Jesus died for our sins. His death was required for us to live. Like a seed of corn that is put in the ground, Jesus died and was put in a tomb. Yet through His death (and resurrection) a great harvest of souls have found mercy and grace. Tragedy turned to triumph when Jesus rose from the dead. Now because of His sacrifice, lost souls can find redemption and eternal life through faith in Him.

As believers, we need remember what 1 Peter 2:21 says, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.” We are not called to lead a safe life. We are called to take up our cross and follow Jesus. We are called to obey God, even at great cost to ourselves. There may come a time, like Charlie Kirk, we may have to die for what we believe in.

It is better to die for something worthwhile than to live for things that are worthless.

Why Christians Are Hated

 WHY CHRISTIANS ARE HATED

“I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” - John 17:14

We have many problems in our nation today. Among these problems, a lack of civility and common sense exists. While some advocate social justice, they sometimes do so in violation of the very justice they claim to pursue. While peaceful protests are protected by our constitution, riots are not.

Fueling much of the social anger and hatred are talk-show hosts and news commentators. While these individuals refuse to accept responsibility for their involvement in our nation's hostility, their dialogue and tone indicate otherwise.

Christians have become targets of hatred. Most believers seek to live quiet lives, making positive contributions to society through their hard work and charity. It is true that there is always a group of professing believers who seem to be very arrogant and abrasive, but they tend to be in the minority.

There are some who think that all Christians are hypocrites. This false narrative fuels their hatred. While hypocrites do exist, the fact is that most Christians are imperfect people who seek to serve a perfect God.

Christianity spreads a message of life, hope and love. Yet Christians are slaughtered in other nations. Even here in America, there is a faction of our population who despise Christianity and Christians.

Why is there so much hatred towards Christians?

When Jesus prayed to His Father in John 17, He said, “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” Jesus specifies that the world hated the original disciples. That was the case for them and it is still the case for us.

One reason that the world hates Christians is because we are different from unbelievers. As Jesus put it in John 17:14, “... the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” We are different from unbelievers. They are offended by the difference they see.

Secondly, many hate Christians because we stand for the truth of God's Word. The very message we love and hold dear is the same word that condemns them. The Bible says that those who walk in darkness hate the light because the light will reveal their evil deeds. The Bible's message is one that condemns them. It is interesting that unbelievers expect Christians to live by the Bible, yet they have no intention of living by it themselves. The very Bible they expect us to live by has a message they reject and hate. When we claim to believe the Bible's message, we often receive vicious verbal attacks from the very ones who will also criticize us if we fail to obey the Bible's teachings. We are hated because of the message we've embraced and try to share openly.

Next, the world hates Christians because they hate Christ. There are many who hate President Trump, yet many more hate Jesus Christ. I still believe that Jesus is the most hated person in the world. They hate His teachings. They hate His claim to be God. They hate His demands to repent. They refuse to bow to a God who makes demands of them. They want to command Him. They want Him to be like a divine butler, always nearby to heed to their beckoning call. If they hate Jesus, they will hate the ones who follow Him. While this bothers many well-meaning Christians, we should find comfort in the fact that if we suffer with Him, we will reign with Him. We are in good company if we are rejected, hated and persecuted along with Jesus.

Christians are called to love others. It is true that we cannot condone the actions of many, but we are still called to care for them. We may not agree with the language others use, but we are still expected to speak to them lovingly. We may hate the immoral lifestyle of our neighbors and friends, but we still should care for them. We are called to love our enemies. The very ones who seek our harm and downfall are people with eternal souls. The Bible teaches us not to enact revenge on such people. We should never retaliate against others with hostility or anger. Instead, we are called to love our enemies, pray for them and do good to them. We are called to be different than this unbelieving world.

Yes, many hate holy things. Some see in us what they secretly desire, but refuse to admit. Our lives testify of God's goodness and grace. These are things they trample under their feet.

Perhaps someone close to you hates you and your faith. It could be a co-worker, a family member or an old classmate. Never give up praying for them. Keep in mind that Saul of Tarsus once hated Jesus, Christians and the Church. He zealously sought the utter destruction of all Christians. Yet he ultimately became an outspoken, fully-devoted follower of Jesus. His hatred to turned to love. Paul's zeal for persecution was transformed into a zeal for righteousness.

Never give up doing right and standing for what is right.