The world here is not the physical planet earth. We live in an amazing creation and we are called to take care of it. The world in this sense is the people, the way they live, and the fact that many of them are under the influence of the devil.
So much of the Bible talks about LOVE. We are called to love our enemies. That is hard when your enemy is killing your loved ones, or stealing your livelihood. But Jesus makes it clear. We should be walking in the light and not darkness, loving our brothers and sisters.
Do I really live as Jesus did? Jesus did only what He saw The Father doing. It is too easy for us to think we know what God is saying and form a pattern for ourselves so that we get stuck in a rut of always doing it that way.
Everything we have ever done wrong has been paid for by Jesus on the cross. Every white lie, every bad thought, every criticism of others. Every time we have been self-centred, not loved our neighbour as we love ourselves. All those thoughts, actions and words have been wiped away.
Throughout the generations the enemy has tried hard to break up families, and churches. Living in community, one with another, whether as very close families, or in groups who meet weekly or fortnightly, is always a blessing. It can only help to make the Kingdom of God grow on earth.
God created light on earth at the beginning of time, and He still wants us to live in that light. This is nothing to do with the sun which was not created until the 6th day. This was and is a spiritual light that makes us aware of His presence.
John makes no introduction, he jumps straight in with the truth as he sees it. He wants us to understand that this is NOT a fairy story. It is true. Why did Jesus call them to follow Him and not other people? They must have asked themselves that many times.
John hardly ever refers to himself by name, but talks about the disciple Jesus loved. John was not loved more than the other disciples, or than you and I, but it seems to me that John knew in his heart of hearts that he was loved. That truth amazed him.
The Lord is my Shepherd to feed, to guide and to shield me, I shall not want. He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still and quiet waters. He refreshes and restores my soul, my life; He leads me in the paths of righteousness.
How uncomfortable it would be living in a large stone cathedral. Uncomfortable seating, stone pillars, emptiness. Yet I know I have been in buildings like that and felt the presence of the Lord strongly. But that does not mean I want to sleep there for the rest of my days.
EN
FR