I was reading a Wednesday’s Word by Paul Tripp, who in my opinion is one of the more insightful Christian thinkers of this era. The thesis of this morning’s message is that we live between the “always and the sometimes” – meaning we will be waging the internal battle of wanting to follow our desires or not control our behavior until we cross over into Glory.

I have tried to somehow live in the world and not be of the world, but the enemy and my own weakness has allowed me to let my thoughts run to places they shouldn’t go; be critical of others; lose my temper; not always control my tongue and the list goes on. It is a daily struggle.

Jesus prayed for the disciples in John 17: 6-19, basically making the bold statement that He is not of the world, and  neither are they as they believe in Him ( ^“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.” John 17:14).

Does that sound like me?   Sometimes but not always. Sometimes I feel as if I am in lockstep with Jesus, and sometimes I feel I am consumed with what I want to do either to please myself or please others.  Some might say we shouldn’t count our feelings as part of our faith, but I disagree. Feelings play a very important part because feelings are emotions that comes from our heart and soul (I know, and the brain).  And we know that the Lord looks at the heart.

Jesus taught the Disciples many times on the theme of humility.  Die to self; first to be the last, and the last first; take up your cross. . . And of the three times the disciples got into arguments, it was about who would be the greatest.   Yet, until the Holy Spirit descended upon them in Acts 2 they never completely connected the dots.

I know that I am saved by grace, but it’s my responsibility to follow him with conviction, and to be in the world and not of the world.  I pray the Lord will help me along this earthly journey until I reach my final destination. Home with Him.