Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
[Follow God’s example,] therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love,
Summary: Understanding what love is requires a knowledge of the different kinds of love. When we understand that, we can better understand the way of love that Paul wants us to follow.
Continue reading “Ephesians 5:1b-2a – The Way of Love”
My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.
If I had been there with Jesus when he prayed this prayer before his disciples, I think I would have had mixed feelings at this point. The idea of being taken “out of the world” sounds rather intriguing. There are days when the idea sounds downright inviting! If you are old enough you might remember the tag line, “Take me away, Calgon!” from the 1970s. The bath powder was so delightful that it would take you away from all your problems. Out of this world, in a manner of speaking.
Staying in the world has its upside, too. Yet it can be tough. Being cast out of your social network, mentally bullied, intimidated, and physically beaten is no fun. All these things happened to the disciples after Jesus left. Yet even though he was gone, he did not leave them unprotected. Jesus prayed that God would “protect them from the evil one.”
What does that mean? What can the “evil one” do that is so bad? Why do we need protection?
Continue reading “Protection – John 17: 15”