Day 21: Saturday, March 28

When I was with them in the world, I kept them in Thy name; those whom Thou hast given Me I have guarded, and none of them has been destroyed except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I come to Thee, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in them. I have given them Thy Word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, as I am not of the world. I plead not that Thou wouldest take them out of the world, but that Thou wouldest keep them from the wicked. They are not of the world, as I am not of the world. Hallow them in Thy truth; Thy Word is truth. As Thou hast sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I hallow Myself, that they also may be hallowed in the truth. John 17:12-19

As to the renunciation of the world, it is believed by many that to renounce the world and to live in the spirit and not in the flesh, is to reject worldly things, which are chiefly riches and honors, and to go continually in pious meditation concerning God, salvation, and eternal life; and to lead a life in prayers, in the reading of the Word and pious books; and also to afflict oneself. But these things are not renouncing the world. True renunciation of the world is to love God and to love the neighbor, and God is loved when life is lived according to His commandments, and the neighbor is loved when man performs uses. Therefore, in order that man may receive the life of heaven, he has to live altogether in the world and in responsibilities and business there. New Jerusalem 126

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