"I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. " John 17:15, NLT
This passage I had to view in context, because as it is, I didn't really get it...initially...it sounds like don't "kill" them and send them to heaven, but protect "them" from the evil one....hrmmmmm
soooo it makes a lot more sense in the context, since this is Jesus' prayer before he offers himself up as the living sacrifice. This is for his disciples. That Jesus has given them the word of God, and because of this, the world hates them because the Word is something that's from heaven and not of the earth...am I making sense?
so this passage is part of Jesus' prayer to his dad to ask him to keep his disciples in this world to spread the word, and to keep them safe in the face of adversity.
Often, I am afraid to speak the word of God, to share his love and compassion. I am reluctant because I don't want to "force" anyone into believe. I understand that people have beliefs and I don't want to be pushy...but is keeping Jesus and God to myself selfish?
