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(running time 2 minutes 29 seconds)
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Jesus is in the middle of a prayer for His disciples…that means He is talking about you and me. It is exciting and scary to think about the words that Jesus uses when He prayers for His people. It is exciting to know the Jesus prayed for us. It is scary to feel the weight behind these words.
I am sure if you have been in church for any length of time, you have been told to be in the world, not of the world. That is a great phrase, but let’s not lose sight of where it came from and what impact that has on our lives.
In the beginning of this section Jesus is praying and He says, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.” That is probably where we get the phrase “not of the world, but in it.” However, we must keep reading to see the meaning behind these words. He next asks for ‘sanctification’
To sanctify is to make something holy. It’s core meaning is to make something into the state of its proper functioning. In other words, it means to create a state where something can fulfil its true purpose. He is literally saying, “Make them holy so that they can fulfill their purpose.” WOW, do you feel the weight of that statement?
In the next few verses, Jesus reveals His purpose for us. “I have sent them into the world.” We are not of this world because we are sons and daughters of God. Yet, Jesus wants us to remain on this earth to be His ambassadors, His representatives. He has sent us into this world to impact the world so that they may know Him.
To look at the context of these verses is important. This whole chapter is Jesus’s prayer. First, He prays that God will be glorified. Then in this section, He prays for us, His disciples. Then, right after telling us we are sent into this world, He prays for those who will be impacted by the message we take into this world.
Yes, we are not of this world, but we are in this world. He has sent us to be His voice, His face and His influence on the world we live in. As a business owner, you have the power and platform to influence many more people than you may realize. Use the passion and purpose God has created you for to share His love and His word that the world my see ‘His glory.’
Remember, Jesus prayed for you as His disciple. He prayed that you would be sent into this world to impact others for Him. You are either influencing others or they are influencing you. Jesus has called you to influence the world for His sake and has given you His truth to guide you. Listen again to His words.
John 17:16-17 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
