Called to Love / Day 20

Called To Love

Day 20 of 21 In the World but Not of the World - Swim upstream or run downhill The songs of the Christian artist Blanca ring in my ears; ‘We march to the beat of a different drum. We do a left, right, left to our own rhythm. And we’ll keep on moving ‘cause we are not afraid to stand up.’ We live in a rapidly degrading world where homosexuality is becoming legal, living together before marriage is seen as a way of life, and abortion is a quick fix. As believers we are in constant danger of compromising our faith and our morals unless we are rooted in God’s word for that is the truth (v17). It is comforting to know that we are indeed capable of living in the world without conforming to its standards. This may not always be easy because it may involve inconveniences, but our hope is in Christ who has overcome the world. Every year the North American salmon have to swim upstream in order to lay their eggs. In the process of swimming upstream, apart from fighting the raging current, they are in constant danger from hovering birds and starving grizzly bears. They brave these risks just to preserve their posterity. What a beautiful example for us to be willing to break the mold and swim against culture and, if need be, take risks for our God! May we do all we can to stand up and stand out for Christ. We have been called to be in the world but not of it. Let’s swim upstream! Prayer - • Holy Spirit, help your church stay steadfast in your convictions • Grant your people the courage and wisdom when the time comes for the church to stand up for what we believe in Thanksgiving - • Thank you, God, for our churches and communities where we can receive correct teaching from the Word, identify your will, and grow in our knowledge of the life you’ve called us to live John 17:13-19 John 17:13-19 NKJV 13 But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.  14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.  15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.  16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.  17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.  18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.  19And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.