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Living Life Apart from the World
How does one live in this world but not belong to this world? We can easily avoid being tainted by wickedness if we isolate ourselves and live an ascetic life on some mountain. Similarly, we see many spiritual lives at their zeniths, with fasting and long prayers and extensive Bible reading, at training seminars.
The essence and goal of such seminars, however, is not for us to isolate ourselves. We need to be in the world, carrying the light of Christ. Jesus wants us to be in the world so that we can influence it as He did while on earth.
Even as we try to influence the world, things in this world—what we see and hear—will inadvertently find ways to influence our thoughts and actions. Our hearts have to be truly turned towards the Lord. Judas Iscariot followed the Lord Jesus for three years. Yet, his heart never did convert to the Lord. His heart completely belonged to the world, overwhelmed by greed.
It is too easy to fall for the many things in this world. Wealth, sexual desires, food—this world has much to offer when it comes to leading our hearts astray. Greed is the state of hankering after things beyond what we need. Crucifying our desires on the cross becomes a task we need to engage in daily.
In addition to overcoming our greedy desires, we should expect to be rejected by this world when we do not belong to it. “And the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world” (John 17:14). Jesus is the light. The world is full of darkness, so it rejected the light and hated it. Similarly, we cannot expect to be popular with people who engage in activities of darkness.
As children of God, we will find life tedious if we do not overcome this world. “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). By holding on to God, we can overcome this world. “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:4-5)
May we remain steadfast in our pursuit of lifelong learning, continually growing in faith, wisdom, and obedience, until we finally reach the eternal prize in Christ.
We warmly welcome you to our upcoming Spring 2025 Evangelical Service and Spiritual Convocation (ESSC). You can also join us for the Spring 2025 ESSC via online streaming.
Thursday, April 17, 2025 6:50PM to 8:10PM
Friday and Saturday, April 18-19, 2025 9:00AM to 8:10PM
Sunday, April 20, 2025 9:00AM to 1:00PM
Please find our church location below:
True Jesus Church
4N550 Church Road
Bensenville, IL 60106
Google Maps
In the meantime, please feel free to join us for our regular Sabbath (Friday evening and Saturday) services online or in-person.
Friday Evening Service: 7:50PM – 9:00PM
Saturday Morning Service: 10:50AM – 12:00Noon
Saturday Afternoon Service: 1:30PM – 2:40PM
Email us at ilovejesus@tjc-chicago.org