City Life Starter

Written by Aisha Darwesh

The Word

¹³ But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. ¹⁴I 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.

Aisha’s Analysis

Today’s verses paint a vivid picture of a duality that exists for every believer on this side of heaven. On the one hand, we have the privilege and supreme pleasure of experiencing God’s complete joy (verse 13). On the other hand, because of our allegiance to God’s Word, we must also endure the world’s hatred (verse 14). 

Given the reality of verse 14, a believer might be tempted to succumb to the world’s ways because it is easier than living with the alternative. However, the only way a believer can experience God’s joy is by following His Word. 

If you choose to believe and follow God’s Word, you can experience the overflowing joy of God, but you will not get any support or reassurance from the unbelieving world. Conversely, if you choose not to follow His Word, you may not have to deal with any opposition from the world, but you will be completely joyless. 

Choosing to follow God’s Word is not exactly an ideal situation, but at least Jesus makes it clear to His followers–the world will hate us because we are not of the world, just as Jesus is not of the world. In any relationship, you must take the bad with the good. Is it perfect? No, not all the time. Is it worth it? Most assuredly, yes! 

As much as Jesus loved the world, He made a point to say He was not praying for the world in John 17:9; He was praying for His disciples–those who belong to God. This shows us that Jesus endured unspeakable suffering and died to save the world, but that was not the end-goal. He wants more than that. He wants a relationship built on trust in His Word that will endure even when this world fades away. 

Application

Examine your allegiance to God’s Word as opposed to how you feel about being accepted in your various relationships (family, co-workers, friends, etc.).  Would you choose to obey God’s Word even if it cost you one of those relationships?

If the answer is yes, you can experience God’s complete joy. Choosing to believe and follow God is worth any kind of suffering you could possibly experience in this world. Your life in this world is temporary, but your relationship with God is eternal. Praise God that He allows us to experience His joy here on earth as a foretaste of all that is to come. 

If the answer is no, please do not stop reading. God has not given up on you, and I dare to say that you would not even be reading this if you had given up on God. Today, make a decision about what is truly important to you. Is compromising on God’s Word worth being out of His fellowship and joy?  Regardless of your situation, the answer is definitely no! Nothing is worth compromising on your relationship with God. Absolutely nothing. 

Prayer

Father God, I thank You I have a Savior who prays for me and who died a sinner’s death on the cross to save me. You are absolutely worthy of my complete devotion. I commit to follow You and Your ways and live according to the Bible because that is what sets me apart from the world. I am 100 percent Yours. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.