“As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.”- John 17:18
John Ortberg continues Chapter 6 of All the Places to Go by presenting another statement that many people think Jesus actually said: “Be in the world but not of the world.” Pastor Ortberg states that his misconception has led Christians into a halfhearted being in the world.
John notes that as Jesus sent His disciples into the world, He was more concerned with how they would go through the door than which door they would go through. John writes:
“When somebody is deeply committed with their whole heart- not out of guilt, not out of obligation, not out of pressure but because they are convinced this is the cause that is supremely worthy of the devotion of their one and only life- they love to be challenged about that commitment. They love to be called to it, to be renewed in it, to be rechallenged for it . . .”
On the other hand, when people are divided, conflicted, or have compromised their commitments, they are reticent to discuss those commitments. Again, Jesus’ instructions emphasize how we will go over where we should go, providing three animal illustrations describing how we are to go through the open doors God places before us. The first illustration, sheep among wolves, will be presented in the next blog.
Today’s question: To what new calling do you feel deep commitment? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Sheep among wolves”