Louder and Bolder

Now I’m returning to you. I’m saying these things in the world’s hearing so my people can experience my joy completed in them. I gave them your word; the godless world hated them because of it, because they didn’t join the world’s ways, just as I didn’t join the world’s ways. I’m not asking that you take them out of the world but that you guard them from the Evil One. They are no more defined by the world than I am defined by the world. Make them holy—consecrated—with the truth; Your word is consecrating truth. In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world. I’m consecrating myself for their sakes, so they’ll be truth-consecrated in their mission. (John 17:13-19)

Make them holy - consecrated - with the truth. If you want to know what Jesus asked his Father on our behalf, there it is. His greatest hope was that each of his followers would be guarded in this world from all the evils of this world. How are we guarded? By truth! The truth he gives us will define us, not the things this world offers. 

God gave us his Word - written and in the person of Jesus Christ. Why? So we wouldn't be overtaken by evil. God's truth is consecrating truth. Wherever the Word of God is spoken, the power of change is possible. That is where consecration really begins - with change. A change in leadership over our lives. A change in our way of thinking. A change in our behavior.

In the most literal sense, consecration involves separation. If you were to look at what God asked of his people from the very beginning of time, you'd see a pattern of 'coming out', 'being separate', and 'living among, but not becoming like' this world. The power to live in such a manner begins the moment we embrace truth (Christ Jesus) and then continues as we study his truth (the Word of God).

What defines you? If others look upon your life and see very little difference between the way you live and act than those who have not embraced Christ Jesus, are you really living a consecrated life? The world should see a difference in our actions - because they are a result of us getting close to Jesus. Our greatest testimony in this world is a changed life. If Jesus targets something for change, do it. He is simply making our testimony 'louder' and 'bolder' in this evil world. Just sayin!