"I have given them Your word and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one....As You sent me in the world, so I have sent them in the world."
What most people take out of these verses is that we are to be in this world, but not of it. The most important part being "not of it". Well, I was thinking about this verse and realizing the importance of Christ saying "I do not ask that You take them out of the world...(and)...so I have sent them in the world." I think it is a big tendency for Christians, myself included, to create their own world on this earth. We have Christian friends, we go to Christian events, we listen to Christian music, we read Christian books. I believe ALL of those things are wonderful, and I am not condemning it at all. But when that becomes your world, I think that is wrong. We need those things for sure to strengthen us to be in the world, but if we forget that second part, being in the world, then what is the point? Christ kept us here on earth for a reason. And I don't think that reason was purely for fellowship with believers.
Now go hit the clubs!
Kidding.
