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.” “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” (John 17:14, 1Pet 3:9)
You are warmly welcome! A team of over 70 missioners arrived safely in Omoro where they will spend eight days doing outreach. Let us keep them in prayer. We also had a great time of interaction with over 60 Finalists discussing and equipping them on transition to the world of work after school. We thank God for these and more ongoing pastoral activities that continue to strengthen our Church.
In this Trinity season, we were reminded last Sunday 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. This we also remember several Scriptures in which the Three Persons are together, and prominent one is the record of Jesus Christ’s Baptism immediately after which the Holy Spirit descended on him and the Father’s voice was heard speaking favourably about him (Matt 3:16-17). 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. Take time to observe the tension between the world and the life of a believer. 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 behave differently and use a different method of ‘revenge’ – if they are to inflict beneficial pain on those who insult them: ‘Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing’. In the tension between the world and the word of God, determine to be a true disciple. God bless you all!
The world hostile:
- Hates believers
- Evil
- Insult
- Deceitful speech
- Suffer for doing right
- Materialistic
- Consumerism
- Conmen
For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
God bless you all!