We had the best discussion in our study of 1, 2, 3 John last week. Two phrases that came up during our discussion, were, 'One Call That's All' and 'You Can't Handle the Truth.'
The phrase 'One Call That's All' is currently used on a commercial for a law group. However it is also fitting for our life. We rely on so many other outside sources in the world for comfort and peace, when all we really need to do is call on God. Just One Call. God handles it all.
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'You Can't Handle the Truth' refers to a line from a famous movie starring Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson, but it speaks perfectly to the worldly people here on earth. They can not handle THE TRUTH - God's truth. There is no other truth, despite what so many people wish us to believe. There is no truth for Jill and another truth for Sam. Saying that is just the excuse people use to justify their sinful actions.
As soon as I got home from Bible Study, I began looking for photos to illustrate those two phrases as they pertain to our Christian life. Naturally, that lead me down the proverbial rabbit trail. I began thinking of Bible verses that mention being in the world but not of the world. The search for those verses led me to the Bible Reasons website. I've definitely bookmarked it to refer back to in the future!Bible Verses About Not of this World https://biblereasons.com/not-of-this-world/
“Even though we are in this world Christians are not of this world. Our true home is not in this sinful world it is in Heaven. Yes there are bad things in this world and yes there will be suffering, but believers can rest assured that there is a glorious Kingdom that awaits us.
A place far greater than you could have ever imagined. Do not love the things of the world and be conformed to it. The things that unbelievers live for are temporary and it can all be gone faster than a lighting strike. Live for Christ. Stop trying to fit in. Don’t act how people of this world act, but instead be an imitator of Christ and spread the gospel so others can one day go to their heavenly home.”
I pray that you will spend some time to read through these verses. What a strong reminder that this is not our home, we are not of this world. Our home is heaven, and one day we will be there, where we feel loved, where we fit in, and where we feel at home. We need to be reminded daily that we are not of this world, especially in these turbulent times. Don't just read the verses below, pray them. Pray that God makes them part of your being and the Holy Spirit fills you with the knowledge that are citizens of Heaven, not Earth.
John 17:14-16 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.
John 8:22-24 So the Jews said, “Will he kill himself, since he says, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come’?” He said to them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.”
1 John 4:4-5 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them.
Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
James 4:4 You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
1 John 2:15-17 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.
John 18:36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”
Philippians 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
1 Peter 2:11-12 Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.
Matthew 10:22 And all nations will hate you because you are my followers. But everyone who endures to the end will be saved.
1 Corinthians 15:33 Don’t let anyone deceive you. Associating with bad people will ruin decent people.
2 Corinthians 6:14-15 Don’t be teamed with those who do not love the Lord, for what do the people of God have in common with the people of sin? How can light live with darkness? 15 And what harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a Christian be a partner with one who doesn’t believe?
Proverbs 13:20-21 Spend time with the wise and you will become wise, but the friends of fools will suffer. Trouble always comes to sinners, but good people enjoy success.
