Familiarity and Fluency

"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. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world." ⏤ John 17:15-16,18

In the world, or of the world. We are distinct from the world, but not removed from it. We're not just waiting around. We have been sent with a purpose (to love the world). The essential skill is to be familiar with the world but fluent in the Kingdom.

Sliders!

You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. — Gal. 5:4

There's a form of backsliding that looks like taking the Lord's name in vain, claiming to be his but behaving like the world we were rescued from. Churches make much of this. But there's a more insidious form of backsliding that causes so much trouble: sliding back onto the law to prove our 'goodness.' The only thing that matters is faith expressing itself through love (two verses later).

Our Deliverer

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33b

Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Temptations, trials, and testing. The Greek word can mean all three. Jesus experienced these. And so did Stephen, Paul, and Jesus' other disciples. However, they never viewed these troubles as a final destination. Paul even rejoiced in his sufferings. God may lead us through broad places. And he may lead through challenges. But we can trust him to be our Deliverer. The evil one has no legitimate claim on us.