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“I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.”

John 17:14–16, LSB

We are called to be witnesses in and to the world, but our Lord does not desire us to be of the world. We are meant to be different, and we are called to make others see the difference that God can make. Too often, we find that many in the world desire to change the subject and are surprised when we stand against things contrary to the Word. We should not be judgmental, but we are not to waver on our stances either. To say something is sinful is not judgmental; it is stating a fact. To say someone is condemned because they have done a sinful act is where our Lord calls us to draw the line. We are called to be different. We are called to be bearers of truth. All of this we are to do so with love. This is where we are to learn most from our Lord because of His continued calling us away from sin and to be different from the world. It is our Lord who brings transformation. Let us be like our Lord and ask God to keep us from evil so we may bring others caught up in worldly things into your glorious peace.

Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.