I have two really good points to share with you from today's reading in John from our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan. John 17:14-17:
14 I have given and delivered to them Your word (message) and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world [do not belong to the world], just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that You will take them out of the world, but that You will keep and protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world (worldly, belonging to the world), [just] as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them [purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy] by the Truth; Your Word is Truth.
Notice that JESUS was praying to the Father for His followers who remained with Him! He prayed that God would protect US from the evil one! We'll look at the proof of that further on here. He prayed for God's protection for HIS people. He also prayed that God's Word, which is the only REAL TRUTH, would purify them and set them apart from the world. JESUS was sending US into the world that He died and rose again for, to tell them the vital TRUTH that God wasn't holding anything against them because JESUS has already paid the highest price! Our Salvation is FREE to US, but cost God everything! He did it all for a purpose! US! Verse 20:
20 Neither for these alone do I pray [it is not for their sake only that I make this request], but also for all those who will ever come to believe in (trust in, cling to, rely on) Me through their word and teaching,
JESUS was praying for US at the same time that He was praying for those there that day! Learn to know who YOU are - IN HIM! What He as called, equipped, anointed and appointed YOU to do! Now let's get to it! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Who You Say I Am ":
Shalom in Him!