Readings:
II Kings 11
John 17:11-19
Focus:
John 17:15:"I do not pray you to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one."
There is a reason that we are left in the world instead of just being in heaven with God. Jesus doesn't take his disciples with him when he goes; he leaves them behind. We don't really understand all of God's purposes. But for some reason, he wants us to be here in the world.
Jesus cares about us; he wants us to be kept safe from evil. This is not the same as being kept safe from harm, however. His concern is greater than that. He wants us to be kept safe from spiritual evil, which is far worse than illness or injury.
We don't understand everything about this, but we do know that while we are left in the world, God cares about us, and our spiritual wellbeing is his concern. This has eternal consequences for us, and so we can rejoice that he cares so much.
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Earlier this Fall, I read NT Wright's "Surprised by Hope." Reading Wright has helped fill in and re-shape my understanding of eschatology. Essentially focusing on life after, life after death. That our home is not 'heaven' as much as it is the new creation. It relates to why we're left here, our purposes in God's purpose for creation, etc... When I read your post, that book came to mind.
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dm
Thanks, Dave, that's interesting! I should take a look!
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