In This World But Not of It
by David Cross
Whilst we should necessarily challenge and deeply influence the world around us, Jesus does not press His followers to establish the following:
an armed insurrection,
a political party,
a moralising life-stance,
a reforming pressure group,
a stronghold of tradition,
a philosophical society,
a club of respectability,
a philanthropic organisation,
an intellectual movement,
a religious association.
Rather, He stepped into the world and declared Himself to be the ruler of an eternal and righteous, divine Kingdom, which can dramatically and radically change each person who chooses to be wholeheartedly surrendered to Him.
Through His defeat of sin and His spiritual influence in the hearts of His followers, lives are so transformed and restored that the world finds it impossible to ignore. Such a revolutionary change of attitude in the heart of each believer may be hated or loved by the world, but it can’t go unnoticed, if we truly let Jesus be King.
We’re invited to be citizens of an extraordinary Kingdom, which has been, and will be, active in this world, but doesn’t belong to it. What a calling!
Prayer: Father God, Your ways are not our ways, Your thoughts are not our thoughts. I choose to let You bring change to this world, through the power of the Holy Spirit working in each follower of Jesus, rather than believing that it can be changed simply by our own ability and strength. I desire only to play my part in Your Kingdom, through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
David Cross David is part of the Executive Leadership of Ellel Ministries, with particular responsibility for the Ellel centres in Western Europe. He is married to Denise and they have three grown up children and eight grandchildren. David has been a civil engineer and ski-touring instructor in the Highlands of Scotland. He is passionate about the teaching and practice of the healing and deliverance ministry of Jesus and has written several books: Soul Ties, Trapped by Control, God’s Covering, The Dangers of Alternative Ways to Healing(co-authored with John Berry), an A to Z Guide to the Healing Ministry, What`s Wrong with Human Rights? and, most recently, God`s Way out of Depression. You can follow a daily thought from David on Twitter: @dmcross62
Please feel free to use this devotional to send on to your friends or share with your church fellowship. Provided full acknowledgement is made to Seeds of the Kingdom as the source, you are also welcome to use it in a non-commercial way and reproduce it in magazines or other Christian websites. The copyright for any commercial use of the material remains with Ellel Ministries International.
