So last post I broke the disappointing news that Jesus is not going to extract us out of the combat zone that is our lives here on planet earth. I also said that weapon one for this battle is joy. I got all this from Jesus' prayer for his disciples in John 17. After praying about joy, he then moves on to another topic - that of holiness.
This seems to be a very important issue for a people who are supposed to be holy while living in an unholy place. So what would you expect Jesus to say? I know what I would expect. That He would pray about his people being protected from those bad ole nonchristians on planet earth. That they would stay pure and listen only to Christian music and only see G movies. Things like that. But that's not what he prays at all. Here's what He says:
"17Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth." John 17:17
Notice the word "sanctify" popping up quite a bit. It's a word that means to make holy, to set apart for the purposes of God. In Jesus' prayer, He prays that this process would come about by exposure to truth and not a reduction in exposure to bad influences. Now don't get me wrong, there is a place for limiting the negative things (including some people) that influence us but listen to what Jesus is praying here.
He's saying that more important than isolationism is the regular exposure to truth and that through the power of God's Spirit, that truth makes us holy. It's another weapon in the war. Part of why truth is so important in this battle is that our enemy (not people but the evil one) has only one weapon and it's the lie. Hear Jesus describe the enemy's strategy:
"He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." John 8:44b
Because the enemy is lobbing lies at every possible opportunity, we must be constantly reminded of the truth. The obvious source of this truth is the Bible. It is our storehouse for God's truth and is essential in the fighting off of a myriad of destructive influences that surround us every day.
It is this truth driven santification that then gives us the holiness to enter back into the war zone and keep ourselves in the fight as holy soldiers in an unholy world.
2 comments:
This is the first time reading your blog. Needless to say, there was a reason tonight Robert. I'm weary, I was about to give up and am still fighting. Thanks for posting.
The part about G Rated Movies and Christian Worship Music really spoke to my heart. For all your works can't get you to heaven. Only the Truth of God can. Fighting an effective battle with Christ all starts from inside your heart working from the inside, to your outer works.
Thanks for the blessing!
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