Today’s devotion comes from John 17:13-19.
“But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves. 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. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.” John 17:13-19.
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How could Jesus’ words (“these things I have speak in the world”) give the disciples give joy?
Consider that Jesus just told His disciples: “the world has hated them”. How could those words give the disciples joy?
Other doctrine just cannot understand how those words about the disciples being “hated” could give the disciples joy, because other doctrine focuses on man and teaches that man gains joy by being nice and polite and kind to others.
But, Reformed Doctrine can understand how those words about the disciples being “hated” could give the disciples joy, because Reformed Doctrine understands that God divides people into two sharply distinct groups: God’s chosen people (a/k/a God’s elect) and the rest (a/k/a reprobates a/k/a “the world”).
Although it is good to be nice, polite, and kind to others, such kindness does not insure that one will not be hated: “the world has hated them (Jesus’ disciples), because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” Verse 14.
“If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.” John 15:18-20.
“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:11.
Reformed Doctrine understands how those words about the disciples being “hated” could give the disciples joy, because Reformed Doctrine understands God’s love, protection, care, and salvation for His elect (even though they may be “hated” by the world). God does “keep them from the evil one (Satan)”. See verse 15. God does “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.” Verse 17.
“But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.” 2 Thessalonians 2:13.
“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24.
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you HAVE RECEIVED MERCY.” 1 Peter 2:9-10.
“What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction? And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles. As He says also in Hosea,
“I WILL CALL THOSE WHO WERE NOT MY PEOPLE, ‘MY PEOPLE,’
AND HER WHO WAS NOT BELOVED, ‘BELOVED.’”
“AND IT SHALL BE THAT IN THE PLACE WHERE IT WAS SAID TO THEM, ‘YOU ARE NOT MY PEOPLE,’
THERE THEY SHALL BE CALLED SONS OF THE LIVING GOD.” Romans 9:22-26.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 