We live in a world that often has things we don't necessarily want to see or hear about, and unfortunately, that means we will be faced with a decision.
Do we allow the stuff of the world to infiltrate our hearts and minds, or do we put some boundaries and measures in place to protect us from what we are often surrounded by in our daily lives? This poses a big question for all of us "how can we be in the world but not of the world?"
How do we live and walk in love and grace towards others but also choose not to compromise on our values and what and who Jesus calls us to be when we follow Him and His ways?
It's not an easy question, and if you care about others who perhaps are living a life that isn't exactly how you would or believe the same, it means we have decisions to make. Jesus has, fortunately, some guidance on how to navigate this issue.
His example was to love and show mercy to those who were obviously walking the wrong path, but he would also be honest when he spoke to them that there is a better way.
He loves us just the way we are, but he also loves us too much to leave us in the mess we can get ourselves in. He doesn't condemn us, but he will give us a nudge in the better direction when there are things that need attention and for us to make a change. If you look at Jesus' example, he was straight up when people needed to be checked into line, like the temple moneychangers who made a profit off people trying to come and worship God. Or the religious leaders who were content to judge and condemn others whilst not examining and dealing with their own shortcomings and issues. He called them whitewashed tombs, clean on the outside but dead on the inside. He ate with the sinners, gave time and forgiveness to prostitutes, blessed little children, made room in his company for women, and saw the broken, lost, hurting and lonely and ministered healing to them. However, he gave us an example that reveals how we can walk in his footsteps. He spent time alone with the Father and only did what he saw heaven doing. He knew what he was here for, stayed to his assignment from heaven and gathered people around him to teach them and to help him fulfil his mission. He didn't allow himself to get distracted, and when people came to him, he did what he was called to.
He healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, set the captives free and destroyed the devil's works. He encourages us to do the same.
Today, I encourage you to follow Jesus' example. You are in the world, but once you invite Jesus to be part of your life, you no longer belong to the world and its ways. Heaven is your home, and heaven has a blueprint for your life, which means walking a different route from others. It may sometimes feel narrow, but that path leads to peace, and your purpose is fulfilled. One of the best ways we can be in the world, but not of it, is to keep our eyes fixed firmly on Jesus, his word and purpose for our life, and to remind and show others how to walk with him. "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1) "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16) Prayer: Lord, please help me navigate many of the confronting or conflicting issues around me, so the world doesn't bring me down to its level, but rather I bring people up to yours. In Jesus' name Amen
Comments