In Jesus’ priestly prayer in John 17, speaking of His followers, He said, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.”

As Christians we are to be in the world, but not of it.

Rayleen and I recently stayed a few days in Wagga.

We were in Wagga but not of it. We breathed Wagga air, we ate lunch at the RSL Club; we walked on the streets; we slept at a motel in wagga, but it is no longer our home, we visit but we are not of Wagga.

We spent money there, but are no longer dependant on Wagga for our income.

This is what Jesus is talking about here.

When we choose to follow Jesus, something in our life changes.

We may breathe the world’s air, work at the same job, live in the same house, but the world no longer determines our identity.

We have entered into a new relationship with Jesus. He has forgiven our sin, which means we are no longer bound to the world as we had previously been.

We still live in the world, but now it’s God’s divine reality that gives our life meaning and purpose and power.

It is often thought that heaven, or eternal life, refers to a place and a new life that we progress to after this life has ended.

This is not exactly what the Bible teaches. While it speaks of heaven as a place completely transformed and different from what we know this world to be at present, eternal life is something that begins here and now, where we are.

Our relationship with Jesus has changed who we are; we now choose to recognise Him as Lord of our life.

That is, the meaning of our lives is no longer determined by the circumstances of the physical world, we now belong in God’s Kingdom.

The Lord’s Prayer explains what God’s Kingdom is about, “Your (God’s) Kingdom come, Your will be done on Earth as it is in heaven.”

This new relationship with Jesus brings together the world (the physical reality) and heaven (the Divine or Spiritual reality).

Forgiveness removes the barrier that separated us from God, so that through faith and the Holy Spirit, God has become present in our lives. Death can no longer rob us of life’s meaning because life in Christ continues beyond death.

The power of death was overcome through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. In Christ our lives no longer depend on this transient world for meaning. We are in the world, but not of it,

On the news recently we have witnessed the extraordinary strength Erika Kirk has shown since her husband, Charlie, was shot.

Her strength and courage was on display during the public funeral where she announced to the world that she had forgiven her husband’s shooter.

And she explained why, because she is personally aware that Jesus has forgiven her sin.

This announcement was made amid tears and deep sorrow; but her courage and strength amazed us all.

Through her personal faith in Jesus she now draws her strength from God. She is in the world, but not of it. Erika has discovered the power of forgiveness.

This same power is available to each of us, when we seek and accept the forgiveness Jesus offers.

Rev Stewart McDonald

Kyabram Uniting Church

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Thursday, 24th June 2027

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