Fighting for Christ
I have watched over them and not one is lost (John 17, 12)
Jesus raised his eyes to heaven and said: ‘Holy Father, keep those you have given me true to your name, so that they may be one like us. While I was with them, I kept those you had given me true to your name. I have watched over them and not one is lost except the one who chose to be lost, and this was to fulfil the scriptures. But now I am coming to you and while still in the world I say these things to share my joy with them to the full. I passed your word on to them, and the world hated them, because they belong to the world no more than I belong to the world. I am not asking you to remove them from the world, but to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. Consecrate them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world, and for their sake I consecrate myself so that they too may be consecrated in truth.’ (John 17, 11b-19)
The disciples must be consecrated to the Truth of the Father which is fully revealed in Jesus. Then they will be able to remain in the world without being overwhelmed by it. Indeed, by doing so, they will be able to fight to defeat the Evil One. Are you aware that being a Christian means fighting for Christ?
