Passage Read: John 17-18
Meditation Verses: 17:6-9
Thought
There is a distinction between the world and those who belong to Jesus, and it shows up throughout the Bible. Jesus prays for those who belong to Him, that they would be protected from the world, those who now hate them because they belong to Jesus. Those who belong to the world are hostile to those who belong to Jesus. And at times, the world will even gather up courage to attack those who belong to Jesus. There is a stark distinction between those who belong to Jesus and those who don't. It is evil versus good, the devil versus God. Not all who reject God will seek to harm those who belong to Him, unless those who belong to Him are persistent and vocal in their testimony about God. We can lay low, we can be careful who we speak to and what we say to them. We can speak things that are more generally acceptable even to the rejected, so that we don't draw anyone's ire. But then we blur the line between those who believe and those who don't. We blur the clarity of God's Word. And we end up confusing ourselves and many in the world.
Application
Lines have been drawn, but I can't see them, I can't see where they lie if I won't believe and act and speak as God speaks. There is the world and there are those chosen by God, and the only way to discern who's who is by proclaiming the Word of God clearly and completely. Those who belong to God will step out of the world in obedience to God's Word. Those who refuse will be offended, and some will be enraged to act against those who speak God's Word. Jesus prayed for the protection of those who belonged to Him, but not long afterward James and Stephen and many others would be killed. There is a war, and I can either entrust my life and protection to God or I can keep quiet and try to go unnoticed, hindering my ability to serve God in truth. God help me truly lay down my life for You.