Imitating Christ - for the love of the world

The Christian should not be surprised if the world hates him. The Word that the Lord gave us, if it has penetrated our lives and shows signs of transformation in the way we live, it will show that we are from this world. The Word is also intended to sanctify (separate) us for the glory of God.

Since we are depositories of the Word of God and we struggle to make it a reality in our lives, the world begins to turn into the place where we no longer belong. A false interpretation of the concept "world" led many men and women to become ascetics, that is, to live religiously soberly as hermits, totally cut off from the world and society to dedicate themselves only to prayer, meditation and communion With God. But that is not the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He longs for the opposite: although we are not of the world, we have been sent into the world to fulfill a glorious mission.

When the Bible speaks of the world, it is not about people, but about every empire and spiritual strength that operates in the individual so that he moves away from the designs and will of God. These operating forces are always attractive and, of course, sinful. Sin is the buffoon of the world, and turns the natural man into a puppet, who, like the devil's puppet, moves by his will, rebels against God and turns him into his enemy. The world is the earthly stage where the Christian has to interact and fight with the weapons of the Spirit. "Not by power or by force, but by my Spirit," says the Lord of hosts. (Zechariah 4.6)

God so loved the world that he hated it, that he sent Jesus: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish, but may have eternal life. (John 3.16)

We are not of the world because by Christ and through Christ, we are separated for God, by his grace and not by works. Although it may seem incredible, we must raise awareness that our citizenship is in heaven. The blood of Christ on the cross paid the cost of our new citizenship, the value of our passports to, from this present, living in this world, have a perspective of eternity.

He transferred us from the darkness of the world and brought us into his wonderful light. “I, the Light, have come into the world, so that everyone who believes in me does not remain in darkness. (John 12:46). I wonder how there can be people who reject the Light and love the darkness. I wonder if we are really being light in a world veiled by darkness.

It is no wonder that we are rejected by the world. The world does not know that the word of God in Christ empowers us to do the will of God. To have Christ is to have the Word of God. Jesus is the incarnate word. The Bible has a common thread from Genesis to Revelation and it is the promise of a redemption that begins with Christ and will end with Him. The enormous challenge is to live in the world and no longer be part of it, to reject those forces opposed to the kingdom of God. and yet, love people as God loves them, feel compassion for people who do not have Christ, be it a mere human being or an arrogant billionaire.

How are we influencing this world with the Word of God? Are you giving the word of eternal life to the world? That is our challenge. Let's imitate Christ. He promised us his company to the end. “… And remember (behold)! I am with you every day, until the end of the world. " (Mt 28.20)

God bless you!