Deliver Us From Evil

Jesus prayed, "I pray not that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil." (John 17:15) The same apostle that heard this prayer and recorded it for us, told us: "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of God abides forever." (I John 2:16-17) Jesus told His disciples, "These things have I spoken unto you, that in Me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."(John16: ) Again, John told us, "For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith." (I John 5:4)

The Apostle Paul told us, "We walk BY FAITH and not by sight." (II Corinthians 5:7) Hebrews 11:1 Tells us what faith is: "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen." "We are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man sees, why does he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it." (Romans 8:24-25) "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things whicha re not seen; for the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal." (II Corthians 4:18)

Hebrews 11 gives us many examples of what it means to walk BY FAITH. I think one of the greatest examples of faith is that of Abraham. Romans 4 uses Abraham as an example of faith and belief. It says of him, "(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before Him whom he believed, even God, who quickens (Brings to life) the dead, and calls those things which are not as though they were. Who against hope believed in hope..." (Romans 17-18a)

When Abraham was called upon by God to sacrifice Isaac, he knew that the same God Who spoke and gave him the promised son, could again raise him from the dead, if He so pleased. This is where Abraham looked "afar off". Jesus said, "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad." (John 8:56) Abraham walked BY FAITH and BY FAITH he overcame every doubt.

Jesus told us He's already overcome the world... We just have to believe in Him and BY FAITH we can overcome this world, as well. There's no great victory in God taking you out of the world, but there is GREAT victory in God delivering you from the evil of this world. "The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:" (II Peter 2:9)

This is the promise that he gave to the overcoming believer: To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in  His throne.  (Revelations 3:21)