And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to Thee. Holy Father, keep through Thine own Name those whom Thou hast given Me, that they may be one, as we are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Thy Name: those that Thou gavest Me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the Scripture might be fulfilled. And now come I to Thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Thy Word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that Thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through Thy Truth: Thy Word is Truth. (Joh 17:11-17)
In this great High Priestly prayer, Jesus prayed for His own, all those who have repented of their sIn and put their trust in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary for reconciliation with the Father. He prayed that GOD would keep us, not out of this world, but safe and secure in it, even while we are strangers and pilgrims here in this lost and dying world, and that our joy might be full in Him. We are not to love this world, for all the things of this world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, are not of the Father but of the world. We are to love all people as He does, that we might share Him and His grace, mercy, and love with them, even while we keep ourselves unspotted from the world through the washing of His Word.
We are to minister in and to this world, to the fatherless and the widows, and those who are hurting and in need, as GOD provides and blesses us. We are to love one another, as members one of another, that all may know we are His disciples; and grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, through His Word until we all come into the full measure of Him. We are to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ to all we meet, that those who hear the Gospel and believe in repentance and faith might have life in His Name.
For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD with forgiveness and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet