Stay Separated, Stay Blessed

Daily Devotional: Day 184

“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” (John 15:19, NASB).

One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to look for love and acceptance from the wrong people. Some people cannot, or will not, love you, no matter how hard you try. And if you keep pushing, you may very well get the love you wished for, but you will eventually pay the price. This is true of the Christian life also. Look carefully at what Jesus says in today’s reading.

Jesus is speaking to people who believe in Him, not unbelievers. He says that if you were of the world, the world would love its own. The “world’ in this context refers to systems of government, culture, economics, politics, education and social life that are in conflict with the will and laws of God. These systems are ultimately controlled by satan, whom the Bible calls “the god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4, KJV). When you become a Christian, a clear line is drawn between you and the world (and between you and the devil). This happens because in the ‘process’ of saving you, Jesus chooses you out of the world. He separates you from the world so that you may belong to another world – the kingdom of God which is based on righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (cf. Romans 14:17).

The world knows those who belong to it. And, they love their own. They speak the same language and, for the most part, have the same interests. But Jesus says you are not of the world. Because He has chosen you from the world, the world will hate you. Jesus, of course, is assuming that you will not conform to the world, because if you do conform, the world will love you. If you follow Jesus the way you’re supposed to, you cannot fit in the world system. You cannot accept the world; neither can the world accept you. The contrast between you and the world will become obvious.

Unfortunately, today, many Christians are moving over to the side of the world. They want to be accepted, loved and cuddled by the world. They want to look ‘cool’ and ‘relevant.’ Even churches are falling for this snare. What they don’t realize is that, as James declares, friendship with the world is enmity toward God (James 4:4). If the world calls you their friend, it means you’ve probably compromised your Christian values. If, on the other hand, the world hates you, you’re probably doing something right. Jesus has separated you from the world so that you don’t share in the judgment coming on the world. Stay separated, stay blessed.

The peace of Christ reign in your heart today. Amen.

For further study: 2 Corinthians 6:14-18