This is going to be my new Sunday theme. I am sure that I will never run out of things to post about, so consider this a weekly column!
Here are some verses that will lead me in today’s post:
John 17:13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
John 17:14 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.
~ok this is the verse that I am going to hone in on today~John 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
John 17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
John 17:18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
John 17:19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
John 17:14- we are not of the world. Do you understand this? We are in the world, and Jesus has given us His Word to live by, but we are not of the world. So what do you think that this means? I believe that this verse means that one should know immediately that we are not like everyone else.
First, as I type this one may think to themselves that I am a legalist as I am going to write some things that make most of us uncomfortable. You see since television has taken its Idol- like place in our home, we cannot clearly discern what is of God, and what is of man. According to statistics most Americans have not one TV, but at least two. So we watch the TV much more than we are in His Word.
Second, I am human and am one that realizes that it is easier said than done. What I mean by this is that it is easier to say that I am visiting, and then immerse myself in the “worldly culture” then it is to, recognize that as a visitor, my family and I must act as guests, and understand that my ways will bother my hosts. You know what I mean, after a few days even a loved guest, drives the host to readily await their departure. That is how the world sees a Christian that knows and lives by this verse. The world impatiently awaits the Christian to leave the room to tell off-color jokes. The world mocks the Christian attitude towards waiting until marriage for sex. The world chides and attempts to shame or belittle the Christian for believing in the Creation account that God gives us in the Bible.
Third, and most importantly as a Christian, we are to pattern our lives after the way the Bible describes, not after the current clothing trends, hairstyles, nor spending habits of non-Christians.
This is the hardest one. I know, because one will be seen as different. I mean, if a Christian man lives by the example that the Bible patterns for him, he is seen as meek and weak. Well he will also be seen as is suppressing the woman, and controlling the children. If the Christian woman lives by the example given in the Bible, she will not wear costly attire, nor dress immodestly. Uh-oh there is the nasty legal word that makes many a Christian angry and/ or uncomfortable. Modest for the world in 2008 is NOT the definition of modest that God sets for us in His Word.
It is not legal to live by His Word. I am certain that the robe argument will come up. Please remember this, whose standards are you aiming to keep: God’s or the worlds?
Not of the world is a biggie. When Bill and I were stationed in Germany, it was painfully obvious that we were not German. But we opted to not live on base, and we did learn of Germany, and the language and the people. We loved our neighbors, but we never desired to become Germans. We also lived off base in Las Vegas, Nevada. Believe me, we stood out! You see we could never be the family that lives by the motto “
what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!”
This is the mentality that we Christians need to embrace. We are not of the world. Fine, so stop dressing, acting, and spending like we are. God wishes for women to be modest. Pray about what modest means. Study His Word, and compare this study to what you believe is modest. If today you were to worship Him…could you do so with every outfit that you have in your closet? No this is not a legal issue, but a very reverent question. He is our Father in heaven, and yes He made the rules. Remember the woman caught in the very act of adultery? Jesus may have seen her scantily clad, as the men were quick to wish to stone her for her crime. Jesus told her one thing, Go and sin no more. You see when the sin is brought to your attention, you need to repent of it, and sin no more.
So take out your Bible and get in His Word and not of the world.