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The world.
7 continents. At least 195 countries. More than 8 billion people. Over 7,000 languages still spoken today. And more than 4,000 religions.
But the world isn’t just made up of statistics. It’s made up of people. People who have a mind, a heart, and the ability to make choices.
One definition of the term “worldly” says “experienced or sophisticated”. Is this truth? That’s what the enemy wants you to think.
If we are speaking spiritually, worldly means that one is more concerned with material wealth and possessions and social status or activities than they are about things of God. Biblically, worldly equates to pagan, which is opposite of anything associated with the one true and living God.
John 16:20
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.”
Jesus shared with His disciples that He would soon go away. He said the world would rejoice that He was gone and His disciples would weep.
The world. How could they rejoice knowing the Savior, the long-awaited Messiah, the Son of God, Jesus was gone?
Because they wanted to live their lives the way they wanted. They wanted to do what felt good, what seemed right in their own eyes, to fill themselves with whatever pleasure they desired no matter the danger or consequences. They wanted nothing to do with Jesus because everything He taught went against what their heart wanted. His words made them feel conviction, that what they were doing was wrong, and they didn’t like it.
They would plot His death, chant and cheer for His crucifixion, and celebrate when the stone was rolled into place.
But wait…
Jesus said the disciples sorrow would be turned to joy. How could this be?
1:22
“And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.”
They would see Jesus again. His death wasn’t the end. This was only the beginning.
Jesus rose from the grave, just as He said He would. He defeated death and sin lost its power. He made a way where there was no way. His suffering had a purpose. His death was for a reason.
What was it?
The world.
Every single person. He loved them. He was willing to give it all, suffer and die, because of His love for the world –
the very ones who shouted crucify Him.
The ones who demanded His death.
The ones who betrayed Him.
The ones who wanted their own way more than His.
The very ones that nailed Him to the cross.
The very one reading this now.
Jesus died for us.
John 3:16-18
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
How incredible, how radical is that?!
Even though the world rejected God, He made a way for us to be redeemed.
Jesus is the way.
We all have a choice. We can choose to deny Him and live our own way. Or we can choose Him and surrender to what He says is good, pure and right.
Who will you choose today?
Self? Running after the ways of the world?
Or Jesus? The resurrection and the life!
God so loved the world.
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