“My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.”

John 17:15-16
Articulating the marks of the culture in which we’ve grown accustomed to living can be hard to do. It’s not unlike the analogy of asking a fish to describe what water is like. As a lifelong outdoorsman, I have grown accustomed to the somewhat unusual culture that accompanies the world of the fisherman—particular habits, equipment, and language that do not make much sense to outsiders. But I’ve been immersed in it for so long that it doesn’t seem unusual to me. 

As believers (especially for you who have been followers of Jesus your whole life), we can grow so accustomed to our Christian culture that we neglect to be influential in the world around us. Jesus prayed for His church to be protected while they exist in the world, though they do not belong to it anymore. Let’s not isolate from the world or create an exclusive Christian culture that is difficult for outsiders to understand, much less feel welcomed into. 

As Jesus bid His disciples to “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19), so He bids us also.

 



Scripture Focus

John 17:6-18

Insight

Father, thank You for protecting us while we are in this world. Help us live in ways that make it easy for others to join Your church. Amen

Bible In A Year

  • 2 Chronicles 29-30
  • Psalm 22
  • Mark 14

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