November 10, 2024
NOT OF THIS
WORLD
If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. 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.
John 15:18-19
In this passage, we must understand that Jesus is not talking about the physical world.
Instead, He is talking about the world of humanity. It is in this world that we live and function. It is a fallen world which follows after its own way and rebels against the rule of
God.
But, praise the Lord, He has called us out of this world and into His world. His world is
the realm of the Spirit. Those who belong to Him are to walk in that realm and not in the worldly age. We are to follow His teachings and His direction. He will lead us by His Spirit so that we know
what to do in each situation. He leads us so that we know how to walk while still living in this realm. So, we are in the world, but not of the world. We are to walk in the realm of His
Spirit.
As we do, the natural world of the lost ones will not understand why we walk as we do. They
will harrass us and may even persecute physically. But we can always take solace in this: it hated Him before us, and we can take joy in being persecuted for Him. His love is greater and life in Him
is greater that all the world can offer!
Apostle James