John 17 is said to be the greatest prayer ever
uttered and ever recorded on earth. It is a prayer that falls from the
very lips of Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus prays this prayer, knowing that
His time on earth is about over. He is 33 years of age when He prays
this, and knows full well that He is about ready to face the horrible torments
of the cross. He knew all about the day in which we find ourselves: with
all the ungodliness, permissiveness, and worldliness. Upon reading this
complete prayer, the Christian will soon discover His love and concern for
them, that they insulate and not isolate.
A PRAYER FOR HIS POSSESSION
Jesus specifically says (9) His prayer is not
for the people of the world, but for His own Possession, believers. Being
saved is a very special privilege. It provides an unmistakable
relationship between God and man. There are some things money can’t buy:
peace, health, and a right relationship with God. This takes faith and
God’s grace. Salvation means a radical transformation of one’s life: from
darkness to light; from death to life; from Hell to Heaven; from the old man to
the new man. Praise God! Christian, mark it down, God is on your
side, praying for you to have a victorious life.
A PRAYER FOR OUR PROTECTION
Now that some of us are Christians, let’s go
on to heaven and party! After all, our sins have been forgiven and we
have been promised a life of blessedness, peace, golden streets, and the presence
of God: let the music begin! But God has a different plan for
us. He is not interested in taking us out of the world and isolating us
from ungodly influences. He is not interested in putting us in a
monastery somewhere to keep us untainted by the world. His has not a
plan of Isolation, but Insolation: “I
pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou
shouldest keep them from the evil” (15).
After all, the world is a wicked place and one
that we are to be separated from. As a man, I want to provide all the
Protection I can to my wife, son, and church. So how is the Lord going to
Protect us from the world, and for what purpose?
He said believers
should be Sanctified (17). That is, we are to be set
apart for the indispensable work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Just how are
we to be sanctified, or insulated? Through the Word of God. This
reminds us of the importance of daily Bible reading and study, attending all
church services, and the importance of conforming our lives to all the Word of
God. Scripture memory is a must if you want to insulate yourself and
children from the world. Parents you are responsible for teaching and
instructing your children in the Word of God which will insulate them from the
outside world.
We are all familiar
with Psalm 119:11 which says, “Thy word
have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” However, are
you familiar with the two preceding verses? “Wherewithal
shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to Thy
word. With my whole heart have I sought Thee: O let me not wander from Thy
commandments.” Hiding God’s Word is key in keeping our hearts insulated
against the world.
He said believers
should be Sent (18).
Every believer has the responsibility of instructing others in the
things of God. All of us should be praying for the souls of men. We
should be doing whatever is possible to influence others for Christ.
He said believers should be Serving (19).
Here again is the purpose of our being insulated from this world. We are
in the world but not of the world. When
we start focusing on the needs of others, it has a way of taking the focus off
of ourselves. Being separated unto God is not an easy process, living
for God is not an easy proposition, but a necessary one.
In conclusion, protect your family from evil whenever possible, but don’t be too
alarmed when they see something at the store they shouldn’t have seen, or hear
some kid on the playground say something he shouldn’t have said. Do check
with them daily to make sure that if they did hear something or see something
wrong, that you make sure they understand the Scriptures on the matter and
since they are children, that you talk to any parent that may be involved.
As someone has said, “Life is 10% what happens
to me and 90 % how I react to it.” Insulate your life and that of your
children, but don’t isolate yourself from others. Things may not be just
where you want them to be today, but keep going: maybe by tomorrow things will
be better. An African parable captures the idea very well: “Every morning
in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows that it must run faster than the
fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning a lion wakes up.
It knows that it must outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve to
death.” It doesn’t matter whether you are a lion or a gazelle: When the
sun comes up you had better be running!
When you see other believers in your church
not living as you believe they ought, remember the responsibility is on you to
go to them and help (Gal 6:1). Don’t develop the snobbish attitude that
merely isolates one’s self from others. Be a godly influence!
Believers, God wants you Insulated, but not
Isolated: get involved!
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