You Are Not Of This World
If you belonged to the world, the world would treat you with affection and would love you as its own. But because you are not of the world [no longer one with it], but I have chosen (selected) you out of the world, the world hates (detests) you (John 15:19 AMPC).
The Lord Jesus knew and understood who He was and where He came from, that is, His origin. He boldly declared to the Jews in John 8:23 that, “...You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world." This consciousness of His origin enabled Him to live as a master in life.
In our theme verse, Jesus lets us know that we are not of the world and that He has specially chosen us out of the world. No wonder the Apostle Peter calls us a chosen generation - God's special people (1 Peter 2:9).
Every word that was spoken by the Lord Jesus was for a reason; He was a master of words. Why then does He inform us, why does He want us to know we're not of this world? Firstly He wants us to boldly declare that we are not of this world (Hebrews 13:5-6). There's power in confession.
Secondly, Psalm 82:5 explains, "They know not, neither will they understand; they walk on in darkness: all the foundations of the earth are out of course." The reason for frustration in the lives of many Christians is because they don't know that they're not of this world, hence they continue to live and function as worldly people, subject to the elements and forces of this world.
Child of God, understand this: "But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior" (Philippians 3:20 NLT). You may be physically in this world now, but you originate from Heaven. This is where you live and function from, a place of superiority. Therefore, live, think, behave and speak as one who's Heavenly.
When God sees you, He sees an ambassador of His glorious and heavenly kingdom, "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ..." (2 Corinthians 5:20). Your walk of life on the earth is to be a representative of God and His kingdom. Your passions, desires, goals and dreams in life, therefore, have become those that are of God and no longer that of your own.
We are concerned about the advancement of the Kingdom of God and pushing His agenda. This is why we do what we do, preaching the Gospel. We have eternity in our minds. We walk with the consciousness that we are ambassadors.
John 3:31 says that He that cometh from above is above all. When you've come to this consciousness you now live as a victor and not a victim. You understand that you're in charge and you live above the world, the adversary and every unfavourable situation. You are born of God (1 John 4:4), you are above all.
Associate yourself with the heavenly life. Choose to live above this world and not seek after its treasures. The bible lets us know that "What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us" (1 Corinthians 2:12 NIV). The Holy Spirit in you is the unveiler of God's blessings and provisions in your life. We don't beg because all things are ours in Christ Jesus.
Prayer:
Thank you blessed Father, for I'm no stranger to Heaven, but a vital citizen. Thank you for giving me your Spirit who reveals to me and causes to me to function in the reality of my Heavenly Citizenship, in Jesus' name. Amen.
Further Study:
John 17:14 & 16 AMPC
John 3:3 AMPC
1 John 4:4-5 TLB
Ephesians 2:19 MSG
James 4:4 CEV
1 John 2:12-17 NLT
Galatians 6:14-15 NIV
1 John 5:4-5 MSG