John 17:15 "I pray not that Thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldest keep them from the evil." KJV
In this prayer that Jesus is praying for His disciples (both then and now), He is not asking His Father to remove them from this world and all of it's turmoil, sin and evil; but He is asking the Father to KEEP them IN the midst of it all FROM the evil. Do you see the difference? It wasn't God's plan to keep us from living in this world and rubbing shoulders with those around us. He has something much better than that for us. He wants to keep us FROM the evil while we are still living among it. The only way that is possible is by His grace. He said in the previous chapter (John 16:33b) "Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world". It is only because He has ALREADY overcome it, that it is even possible for you and I.
Now, don't misunderstand me...I am not saying we need to get as close to the world as we can without becoming exactly like them. That is a danger we all need to be keenly aware of in this day. But what I am saying is this... We are to live IN this world as examples and lights to those around us. Jesus can KEEP us in this world that we live in; and by letting our "light so shine before men" (Matthew 5:16) we may lead others to Him.
Isn't it a wonderful thing to know we serve a God that is able to keep us from the things of this world? It is nothing you and I can do in and of ourselves; but we are totally dependent upon Him. II Corinthians 3:5 says, "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; bur our sufficiency is of God". It is God working through us that gives us hope. II Thessalonians 3:3 "But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and KEEP you from evil".
We live in a world that is full of evil and seems to be getting worse everyday. The darkness is getting deeper all around us; but let's not be discouraged! It is in the darkest of nights, that our lights can shine the brightest!
Now, don't misunderstand me...I am not saying we need to get as close to the world as we can without becoming exactly like them. That is a danger we all need to be keenly aware of in this day. But what I am saying is this... We are to live IN this world as examples and lights to those around us. Jesus can KEEP us in this world that we live in; and by letting our "light so shine before men" (Matthew 5:16) we may lead others to Him.
Isn't it a wonderful thing to know we serve a God that is able to keep us from the things of this world? It is nothing you and I can do in and of ourselves; but we are totally dependent upon Him. II Corinthians 3:5 says, "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; bur our sufficiency is of God". It is God working through us that gives us hope. II Thessalonians 3:3 "But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and KEEP you from evil".
We live in a world that is full of evil and seems to be getting worse everyday. The darkness is getting deeper all around us; but let's not be discouraged! It is in the darkest of nights, that our lights can shine the brightest!
Jude 24-25
"Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.
"Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.
Joanna LaVan is a child of the King, wife to her incredible husband, adoring aunt "Nana" to her four favorite little people, and Pastor's wife to their Church people in Virginia. Her desire is to share with the world the wonderful reality of sins forgiven. In her spare time she enjoys Kayaking, reading, occasional scrapbooking, cleaning, blogging, and spending time with her wonderful family. She blogs about her life's happenings, and passions at www.lukeandjoannalavan.blogspot.com .
Beautiful post, Joanna!
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