THURSDAY, April 15

John 15:12-27. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. Because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world-- therefore the world hates you.

Christ calls his disciples to the service of God, not of the world. The two forms of service are incompatible. Saint James says bluntly: "Friendship with the world is enmity with God" (James 4:4).

Many professing Christians, hoping to avoid conflict between the two, attempt an uneasy compromise. Jesus warns sternly against such folly: "You cannot serve God and wealth" (Matthew 6:24). In these critical days, a compromising Christian is a very poor representative of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The world has been defined as "society organized apart from the will of God." It is a tremendously powerful society. Its lure is universal, its rewards enticing, its tyranny diabolical. Those who steadfastly hold to God's will and way, as revealed in Jesus, invite the hatred of the world. Jesus himself experienced the full fury of this hatred. He serves strong notice that those who follow him must expect similar treatment.

A person who is loyal to Jesus is prepared to die daily for him. But, said Thomas à Kempis sadly: "All desire to rejoice with Jesus; few are willing to endure anything for him, or with him." (1955)

PRAY for the Diocese of Carlisle (York, England)

Ps 18:1-20 * 18:21-50; Exodus 16:10-21; 1 Peter 2:11-25

View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com.

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Apr 15, 2010 at 7:35 am

Written by Andrea,

And yet, we are also told, "For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son, Jesus Christ..." I think we need to be careful about how we interpret passages like today's Scripture. It's true that we need to avoid the temptation to live by the world's values, choosing instead to live by the values of the kingdom of God as revealed in Jesus. And that does mean being willing to be at odds with the dominant culture, and maybe even persecuted, as the meditation su*gests. But we must also love the world as God loved it. We can't keep ourselves hermetically sealed in our unworldly Christian communities. We have to reach out to serve the needs of the world with love, just as Jesus did.

...

Apr 15, 2010 at 9:03 am

Written by Steve Doutt,

Thank you Andrea for the gentle balance. I will say, however, that today's meditation woke me up.

...

Apr 15, 2010 at 10:10 am

Written by Mary kier,

Thank you Andrea. I also liked the meditation referring to the omnicience of God.
his spirit dwells in all. And we can seek to find him in the world. (albeit there so ecsouls allow their darkness to overcome them.

Belonged to the world?

Apr 15, 2010 at 10:34 am

Written by Gaye Anne McWade,

The above writer picked up the word "service" in serving God or the world's values. That calls me to some pondering today, it's an interesting thought, that we serve to satisfy our deep need to belong. Jesus says, "You do not belong to the world because I have chosen you . . ." May we find new confidence and joy in belonging to our Lord!

Hate

Apr 15, 2010 at 11:59 pm

Written by Steve Doutt,

Gaye, your comments brought me back to the Gospel reading. I opened Chapter 15 of John and noticed how Jesus uses the word "hate" in verses 18 through 24. I think it's the same hate I feel when I become aware of how sinful I am.

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51

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