Not of this world

John 15:18-19 – If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.

In Jesus’ prayer to the Father in John 17: 14-16 He says – I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.

John the disciple knew this powerful truth and in one of his teachings says – “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. “

In other words, we are citizens of heaven. Philippians 3:20. Therefore live as foreigners in this world. 1 Peter 2:11
So then, I urge you friends to stay true to your citizenship. If you adopt the culture around you, then along with that also comes troubles, sickness, sorrow, depression, lack, hurts and pains.

True wealth and prosperity is not an abundance of possessions. It is not about living in an upmarket suburb or driving an expensive car and maintaining a high life style. True wealth and prosperity is this. Never being in lack, plenty of joy, fun and laughter at home with your family, unexplainable peace in your house with no arguments, disagreements or fights, your ability to always stay calm and positive even in the midst of the worst of storms, divine health and energy, a sense of contentment in life and the ability to be generous in helping those in need; always willing to give from what you have. This is prosperity. If you are living such a life, you are very prosperous.
We as children of God (if living as a citizen of heaven and are conscious of who we are), then we already have all of this and are prosperous. Immensely prosperous.

These are the very things that the people of this world are trying to get. They also want joy, fun, love, laughter at home. They also want to never be in lack. They too would prefer a house with no arguments, disagreements and fights. They too want to be healthy and enjoy life doing things they love. However, the bible teaches us that the people of this world think different to us. They think the means to achieving all of this is by making more money. They think if they can have enough money to buy a large mansion, buy an expensive car and live a high life, then they have become wealthy. Their idea of an abundant life is parties, food, sex and holidaying. At the end of the day, when they sit down to unwind, they realize they still have no peace, no love, no health, and no true joy in the family and no contentment.

I too was like this before, until I met the Lord. My life has never been the same since. Today, after several years of walking with Him and learning a new way of life, I can truly say that He has made me prosperous. We own a home, we lack nothing, there is great peace in our home, no arguments or disagreements, plenty of fun, joy and laughter over the dinner table and we have enough to provide for ourselves and be generous towards others too. We are also healthy, full of faith in who we are as children of God and have a sense of contentment in life. Read my testimony here.

When we know that we are not of this world and live conscious of this fact, then we will attempt to discard “everything” of this world and adopt “nothing” of it. We will begin to live life by a different set of rules. Friends, I urge you, do not adopt the methods, ideologies and philosophies of this world that promise you a life of prosperity and contentment but deliver little to nothing. We are not of this world. We are from above and we don’t lack anything. Don’t let the world tell you otherwise. We were born into prosperity. We don’t need to compete with others in the world to give us a sense of fulfillment or satisfaction.

If I dare to say, don’t even try to acquire worldly treasures by using your authority as a child of God. You know what I mean?  That can also lead to frustration and grief and more importantly lead you to deception. The bible says “The love of money is the root of all evil”.

Think differently. Live by a different set of rules. Treasure the peace at home. Treasure your family, your wife and your children. Treasure the word of God. Treasure your health and your daily provision. Treasure all that you have and live free from worldly desires that always are just a little bit beyond your reach, causing you to strive harder and harder to get them.  It is truly amazing to observe how true prosperity hunts you down with little effort from you, when you are content with what you have and live a life of gratitude, perpetually conscious of who you are in Christ. A child of God, a citizen of heaven and not of this world.

In the kingdom of God, there is NO lack, NO poverty, NO sorrow, NO sickness, NO hatred, NO jealousy and NO lusts. There is an abundance of provision, there is divine health, there is unexplainable peace, there is unending and unconditional love, and there is laughter and fun and joy. All these things are yours.
Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.

In the kingdom of this world, there is lack, there is poverty, there is sickness, there is hatred, there is depression, discouragement, inferiority and superiority, there is jealousy, there is greed and lust for more, there is untimely death, there is pride and arrogance, wars and plenty of temporary pleasures that don’t last.
Seek first the kingdom of this world, and all these things will be added unto you as well.

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