God tells us to not love the world or anything in it. I've been thinking about this a lot lately. I am in a daily struggle to become more like Christ. To do this I have tried to surround myself with people I admire and respect and who have a strong faith and walk with God. So this turned into thoughts of the world. 1 John 2:15-17 says:
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world - the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does - comes from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.
I know that I am not supposed to be of this world, but I need to witness to the world and be salt and light to the world.
Matthew 5: 11-16 says:
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. You are tge salt of the earth. but if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
So, I still want to surround myself with strong christian examples and friends, but I also need to be "in" the world sharing the love and grace of God.
I hope that I make some sense : )
So my challenge to anyone reading this and to myself - go into the world with the love, truth and grace of God. And friends who can encourage you, strengthen you, pray for you, and challenge you.
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