What Is Worldliness? (John 17:13-19) Part Three

In this lesson, we're going to learn how to befriend worldly people without compromising our beliefs. We're answering the question of, "How do we befriend worldly, sinful people without being corrupted ourselves?" The answer is found in another way that our Lord was in the world. Jesus came into this world with a precise purpose. His purpose was to proclaim the truth and "to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10). Jesus never wavered from that purpose! Jesus was in this world with a mission from His Father and He understood His purpose. Apostle John emphasizes this point by telling us that Jesus was sent into the world (John 17:18). The Father sent His Son into this world with the good news of salvation through trust in Him (John 3:16-18). Jesus sends Christ followers with the same purpose and mission! As Christ followers, we must understand our ultimate purpose or we will abuse that purpose. It's the abuse of purpose that brings compromise in trying to befriend the worldly! This is the principle: Whenever purpose is not known or is ignored, abnormal use (abuse) is inevitable! Jesus' purpose for being in the world is behind His words in verse 19, "For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth." What does sanctify mean? It means, "To set something or someone apart for its God-intended purpose!" In this prayer, Jesus is setting Himself apart for God's intended purpose, the cross. Jesus' purpose was that as a result of His death on the cross, Christ followers would be set apart in truth! Praise God forevermore!! This blesses and encourages me like nothing else! How about you? In other words, Jesus sanctifies Himself to carry out His purpose, so that we as Christ followers would be set apart to do what Jesus did...to seek and to save that which was lost! So the way to befriend sinners without compromise or being corrupted by them is to know and stay focused on your purpose! The goal is not to hang out with them as you once did in the past. Our goal is to warn them of the danger they're in and the judgment to come. Our purpose is to tell them of the good news that Jesus rescues those who are in danger! However, don't expect them to welcome you and your message with arms wide open! This leads to the next way that our Lord was in the world! We'll continue this teaching in the next part. Be encouraged!