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Scripture: John 15:18-21
18 "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 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, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, `A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you; if they kept my word, they will keep yours also. 21 But all this they will do to you on my account, because they do not know him who sent me.
Meditation: What does Jesus mean when he says "you are not of this world"? The world in Scripture refers to that society of people who are hostile towards God and opposed to his will. The world rejected the Lord Jesus and treated him with contempt, and his disciples can expect the same treatment. The Lord Jesus leaves no middle ground for his followers. We are either for him or against him, for his kingdom of light and truth or for the kingdom of darkness and deception. The prophet Isaiah warned that people who separate themselves from God because of their rebellious pride and spiritual blindness would end up calling evil good and good evil (Isaiah 5:20).
"Those who kept my word" (John 15:20)
If we want to live in the light of God's truth, how can we rightly
distinguish good from evil and truth from deception? True love of
God and his ways draw us to all that is lovely, truthful and good.
If we truly love God then we will submit to his truth and obey his
word. A friend of God cannot expect to be a friend of the world
because the world is opposed to God's truth and way of
righteousness.
"I chose you out of the world" (John 15:18)
Jesus' demand is unequivocal and without compromise. Do not
love the world or the things in the world. If any one loves the
world, love for the Father is not in him (1 John 2:15). We
must make a choice either for or against God. Do you seek to
please God in all your intentions, actions, and relationships? Let
the Holy Spirit fill your heart and mind with the love and truth
of God (Romans 5:5).
"Lord Jesus, may the fire of your love fill my heart with an eagerness to please you in all things. May there be no rivals to my love and devotion to you who are my all."
Psalm 100:1-5
1 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the
lands!
2 Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into
his presence with singing!
3 Know that the LORD is God! It is he that
made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of
his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with
praise! Give thanks to him, bless his name!
5 For the LORD is good; his steadfast love
endures for ever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
Daily Quote from the early church fathers: Those who suffer with Christ reign with Christ, by Cyril of Alexandria, 375-444 A.D.
"It is just as if Jesus said, 'I, the creator of the universe,
who have everything under my hand, both in heaven and on earth,
did not bridle their rage or restrain ... their inclinations.
Rather, I let each one choose their own course and permitted all
to do what they wanted. Therefore, when I was persecuted, I
endured it even though I had the power of preventing it. When you
too follow in my wake and pursue the same course I did, you also
will be persecuted. You're going to have to momentarily endure the
aversion of those who hate you without being overly troubled by
the ingratitude of those whom you benefit. This is how you attain
my glory, for those who suffer with me shall also reign with me.'"
(excerpt from COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN
10.2)
Scripture quotations from Common Bible: Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1973, and Ignatius Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 2006, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Citation references for quotes from the writings of the early church fathers can be found here.
The Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations is in need of on-going development to expand resources and to reach people around the world. If you would like to contribute, you can make an online donation. |