Living as the People of God in a Hostile World
“I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world.” “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (John 17:14, 1Pet 3:15)
You are warmly welcome! A team of over 70 missioners are concluding a successful outreach mission in Omoro, Northern Uganda, where many churches, schools and homes were reached; many people gave their lives to Christ, and many were encouraged in the faith. Let us keep them in prayer as the journey back later tonight.
In this Trinity season, we were reminded that every Sunday reminds us of the Three Persons each of whom performed a major event on the first day of the week: God the Father started his creation activities, the Son Jesus Christ rose from the dead, the Holy Spirit was outpoured upon the disciples – each of these happened on the first day of the week. We also remember several Scriptures in which the Three Persons are together, like this one: Jesus said, “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26). Let us continue learning, celebrating, and affirming our faith in the Triune God in whom we believe.
It is also a season when we focus on the life of the church. When Jesus prayed and preached, he clearly described the world as hostile to believers. This year was given a theme to remind us of this fact and admonish us not to conform to the pattern of this world but rather to the truth of God’s word. Oh, this tension! In the world we find evil and insults against fellow human beings, deceit and greed for personal gain and gratification, sensual and immoral behaviour for pleasure; the tendency to rebel and run away from God and worship idols is common in the world. This kind of world cannot entertain and love God’s people who oppose this pattern and have subscribed and given themselves fully to follow God’s ways.
Jesus had an experience in the world and teaches his followers not to expect anything different; they will be hated by the world because they are not of it, after all Jesus was also hated similarly. However, they are strengthened by the Lord’s intercession that the Father would keep the faithful disciples from evil, and that God has done and will do. St Peter follows his master and also admonishes his hearers to use a different method of ‘revenge’ – if they are to inflict beneficial pain on those who insult them: ‘Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect’. In the tension between the world and the word of God, determine to be a true disciple. God bless you all!