October 12, 2020 (Monday)
Recent blogs have been about the world we live in. What a wonderful world it is. As I thought about the world, I could not help thinking about what the Scriptures say about it.
The most exciting verse about “the world” is John 3:16, which says (KJV), “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” This verse calls to mind many things that have been said about it. The comment that comes to mind is the one which says, “When God loves, He loves a world. When God gives, He gives a Son.
Another verse about “the world” is in The Great Commission given to us by Jesus before He ascended to Heaven where He now intercedes for His children. He said, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:18-20 KJV). The Father loved us so much He sent His Son to save us, and Jesus loves the world so much he has sent all of us on a mission to tell the world about Him and His power to save all who believe in Him.
You may be surprised to know that Jesus warned us about the unbelievers of “this world.” In John 15:19 (KJV), he said, “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.: Jesus said in this verse that those who believe in Him as Savior are “not of this world,” which is to say, “not of this worldly system.”
John warned us that “this world system” includes enemies that we face daily: “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you” (John 15:19 KJV).
Paul identifies our enemies in Ephesians 6. We are in a spiritual war, like it or not. He calls to us, “Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:10-12 KJV).
“My Father’s World” is under siege. Satan opposes the followers of Jesus. Christians are being tempted to see the evil world as desirable and appropriate. But let us take our stand for Christ and His Kingdom, which exists in our hearts as believers in Jesus.
Let us sing and shout, “Follow, follow, I will follow Jesus!”
Follow On
Words, William O. Cushing, 1878
Music, Robert Lowry, 1880
1880
Down in the valley with my Savior I will go,
Where the flow’rs are blooming and the sweet waters flow;
Everywhere He leads me I will follow, follow on,
Walking in His footsteps till the crown be won.
Refrain:
Follow! follow! I will follow Jesus!
Anywhere, everywhere, I will follow on!
Follow! follow! I will follow Jesus!
Everywhere He leads me I will follow on!
Down in the valley with my Savior I will go,
Where the storms are sweeping and the dark waters flow;
With His hand to lead me I will never, never fear,
Danger cannot fright me if my Lord is near.
Refrain
Down in the valley, or upon the mountain steep,
Close beside my Savior will my soul ever keep;
He will lead me safely in the path that He has trod,
Up to where they gather on the hills of God.
Refrain