In It, Not of It.

John 17:14-18; Romans 12:2; Daniel 1, 6:10. Do you feel like an outsider sometimes? Does it feel like you don’t quite belong where you are? Something just doesn’t align, and you don’t feel like you should be there? Even if you’ve been there or done that many times before? Welcome to salvation, brothers and sisters. Welcome to coming home to where you truly belong. As a child of God, as a visitor passing through this life, you aren’t actually bound to this world. But because of sin, we are stuck dealing with the struggle. Sin nature took us apart from God, breaking the bridge we were to cross, but Jesus gave us a new bridge, His cross. However, until we are called home, ready to cross that bridge, we still live on this world. As such, we have a mission, a duty to accomplish, one that is bound to keep us pressured by the world for not conforming. But the goal for us is not to be of the world, but to just live in it and make something of our lives here until we carry on to our eternal life with Christ. Just as Christ came down in human form, lived, suffered and died to save us, so we must give of our lives to share His love and grace, His message for all mankind. We have been sanctified by grace, set apart for a purpose. While we do that purpose, Jesus prayed and promised to watch over us, to give us the tools we need to accomplish our mission, and to keep faith in His grace. We must remember that we are only saved by His mercy and grace, not our efforts, not our works, so we do not boast in our glory. Rather, we should glorify our Father in heaven, our Savior who died for us, and the Spirit who guides us. The whole reason why something we used to do can suddenly feel off is we are changing and growing. Just as we may no longer do the silly things we did as children, we were children as Christians before, and even before then, non-Christians who did what we felt like in rebellion. We learned what mattered more and gradually turned away from what we didn’t need, the things of this world that do not matter in the long run. As King Solomon told us in the Ecclesiastes, everything we do here is meaningless, because pleasure, joy, and glory on this world is so fleeting, so temporary. Rather, we should seek our Father in heaven and His glory, and in that be gracious and satisfied. So, brothers and sisters, we should not conform to this world but be transformed to who we should be in God’s name, as His children. Don’t let the feeling of being an outsider deter you. Instead, rejoice, because it means you are saved, and you are touched by God. We are unworthy, but as you feel the change in your heart, you will feel that God has decided you are worthy. And when you realize that, you will want to change your behavior, and show love and grace through works, out of gratitude and joy in sharing our amazing gift. Amen, and amen. Come join us to be blessed and to bless! Visit the New Life Korean Presbyterian Church Website to learn more: 새생명 장로교회 | New Life Presbyterian Church (nlpcva.com)