“I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.” (John 17:15 ESV)
In Jesus’ “High Priestly Prayer” (John 17), He acknowledged before His heavenly Father that His disciples would continue to be hated by the world and persecuted. And that the “evil one” (Satan) would look to attack them. Even so, He didn’t pray that God would take them out of the world, for they would soon be commissioned to “…make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20 ESV)
Today, we, as followers of Christ, have the same commissioning. And one of the ways that Satan prevents us from fulfilling it is by enticing us with comfort. So much so that we, in a manner of speaking, take ourselves out of the world and remove any opportunities to witness for Christ.
So, how does this happen? Well, it starts with us only being willing to hang around believers. Next, when we are out in the world, we say and do nothing that distinguishes us from those who don’t know God. Including not sharing about God, serving in His name, or letting people know about the salvation that is available through Christ alone. And, before we know it, we are out of the world and tucked away in our Christian cocoons. And sadly, many Christians stay out of the world for their entire lives, rather than being a witness for Christ.
So, how do we guard against entering our cocoons, or staying in them?
Well, first, we must pray and acknowledge before our Heavenly Father that He has called us to be His witnesses, and that we have sometimes chosen comfort over sharing His truth. Next, we ask the Holy Spirit to work in us, so that we may be bold for the Lord. And lastly, we should pray that the Spirit would lead us into the world, where we may speak the truth in love.
And let us remember that we are not to witness in our own strength, for Jesus said, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 ESV)
By the time you receive this writing, Easter will be upon us. And we will again find ourselves in church singing God’s praises for the salvation made possible through Christ’s sacrifice. And what joy will be in our hearts. May we carry that joy out into the world and tell people why we are so glad in the Lord!
In Christ’s Love,
Pastor Rob