17:14John 17:14

Christ gave His disciples God's word of truth to keep them from the world's practices and spirit, and because receiving that word makes their actions and spirit out of harmony with the world, the world hates them as it hated Him.STE 28.1–2+4 To be not of the world even as He is not of the world means to live in the world while belonging to God, not to be taken out of it but to be kept from evil and sanctified through the truth.SG4 232.1+3 The saying belongs to His intercessory farewell prayer to the Father for the eleven and for all who would believe through them, asking spiritual blessing and continuing mediation for them to the ends of the earth.8T 239.1–2+4 Those kept and sanctified are sent into the world as He was sent, to cooperate with Him in preaching the gospel and witnessing by unselfish Christlike life even amid opposition and sacrifice.Lt 44, 1909, par. 2–6+4 Their oneness with Christ as He is one with the Father, and with one another in love and unity, convinces the world that the Father sent the Son and reveals God's love and power.RH Jan 27, 1903+3

The words belong to Christ's intercessory farewell prayer to the Father for His disciples, reaching beyond them to all who would believe through them to the end of the world, and its lessons are to be studied and practiced, made the rule of life, and lived out so that the prayer is answered in life.8T 239.1–2+4 Bringing habits into harmony with that prayer shapes character by grace, produces fellowship and the fruit of obedience to the truth, and brings unity, for difference and disunion dishonor God.8T 239.1–2+4 The only hope of reaching heaven is to be one with Christ, and then in and through Christ to be one with one another, with no one called to walk alone and no different path assigned, for in Christ life and immortality are brought to light and the way to the kingdom is opened to believers.17MR 291.2–3

It was spoken alone with the eleven after Judas left the upper chamber, in their last week together, as the precious last prayer before He left them to pass through His great agony in Gethsemane prior to betrayal, rejection, trial, and crucifixion.RH Nov 4, 1902+4 After comforting and counseling them with encouragement in John 13-16, He prayed it to prepare them for separation from Him, for disappointment, reproach and hatred, for seeing Him suffer rejection and wicked things at the hands of men, and for their future work which depended on divine power and had to be built on Christ.RH Nov 4, 1902+1 It followed His instruction in John 16:24-33, and the disciples more fully understood and appreciated it after His resurrection and the descent of the Holy Spirit, when the whole chapter stands as a lesson directing believers to worship Jesus as Life-giver rather than trust in human beings.Lt 117, 1897, par. 2–3+1

In the prayer He identifies Himself with fallen humanity, sharing human weakness and temptation yet without sin, as Elder Brother, Good Shepherd, and consecrated High Priest joining earth to heaven, and He prays to the Father on their behalf with care to supply assurance and hope.Ms 29, 1906, par. 1–4+2 He asks for spiritual blessings rather than worldly wealth or human favor, that His disciples be kept from sin and loyal to God, and the prayer teaches lessons God's family on earth must learn by applying His instruction personally and giving themselves wholly to His service.Ms 29, 1906, par. 1–4+1 It shows the breadth of His mercy and love toward those who walk before Him in obedience and humility, speaking to believers through His Word whom they must hear and obey to bear testing, and it contains truth that will stand the test of ages.Lt 368, 1904, par. 9–13+2 It teaches His continuing ministry as Mediator and High Priest within the veil, interceding to the end of the world and now standing at His Father's right hand pleading with power for all who receive Him to the ends of the earth.Ms 29, 1906, par. 1–4+1

Though not of the world, He met the need of disciples who must still live in the world and daily meet its evil influences by earnest night intercession to His Father from the Mount of Olives.Ms 20, 1868, par. 5–8 He often prayed all night while the city was hushed and His followers slept, with head bowed under dew and frost, with strong crying and tears, for them that they might be kept from evil and for Himself, though unsullied with corruption and a stranger to sin, that His soul might be strengthened and braced for the duties and trials of the day.Ms 20, 1868, par. 5–8 In this He identified Himself with human needs, weaknesses, failings, and temptations, and prayer as the necessity of His human life left an example of retiring to pray without interruption for His followers to copy.STB 386.4–387.1+1

Christ has given His disciples God's word, the truths He came into the world to proclaim, to keep them from worldly practices, maxims, beliefs and dispositions.STE 28.1–2+2 Receiving and keeping that word makes their actions, words and spirit not in harmony with the world and marks them as belonging to God rather than to the world.STE 28.1–2+2 Their difference from the world comes through receiving God's word, and being unlike the world does not mean being taken out of it.SG4 232.1+2 In the same prayer He asks the Father to keep them from evil while they remain in the world and to sanctify them through the truth, which is God's word, and their lives are to reflect its unselfish principles.RH Sep 23, 1909+3

That word is the truth through which they are sanctified, cleansed, purified and transformed in character, body, soul and spirit as they live by it and resist lustful thoughts and sinful practices.Ms 241, 1902, par. 10–11+2 Receiving and obeying the word cleanses and purifies disciples, and they are cleansed in no other way.RH Sep 18, 1900+1 It is seed of truth that transforms character and produces a rich harvest calling forth praise and thanksgiving to God, requiring diligent, interested, organized and patient effort to educate those not intelligent in the Scriptures, with children and youth arousing others to make the Scriptures their study while trusting the Lord to water the sown seed and make it effectual.Ms 52, 1905, par. 5+1 Confessing and forsaking sin brings believers into close oneness with Christ that gives evidence to the world that God sent His Son to save sinners, with conviction revealing the light of God's glory and living union producing hatred for the sin that separates the soul from God and separateness from the world.Ms 52, 1905, par. 5+1 Living by that truth means obeying God's commands and walking in unity with Christ, setting them apart from the world and preparing them for life with Him.Ms 241, 1902, par. 10–11+2

The given word is His flesh and blood, the bread from heaven, and by eating it Christ is formed within, the hope of glory.Ms 12, 1899, par. 3–4+1 The written word brings the searcher to the flesh and blood of the Son of God, and through obedience to it he becomes a partaker of the divine nature, receiving Christ Himself.Ms 66, 1897, par. 18–21 As bodily blood must be constantly renewed by daily food, the word must be eaten daily and not once, because knowledge of it is eternal life.Ms 66, 1897, par. 18–21 Its entrance gives light and understanding to the simple, nourishes healthful piety, renews the spirit of the mind, and makes growth up into Christ the living Head, keeping the soul united to Him as branch to vine for dependence, sufficiency, nourishment and vitality.Ms 66, 1897, par. 18–21 The prayer containing this giving guides the church, and division among believers dishonors God.Ms 12, 1899, par. 3–4

Unbelief in Christ and unwillingness to accept those truths is the root of sin in the world, and sin has made humanity aliens from God.Lt 368, 1904, par. 9–13 Restoration begins by taking hold of God's strength to make peace with Him, and belief in Christ as personal Saviour is the only salvation provided for the sinner.Lt 368, 1904, par. 9–13 Christ died to make atonement and paid the redemption price without which none could be saved, and He now stands at His Father's right hand pleading with power to take away sins and to keep obedient believers from falling, giving all who receive Him power to become sons of God, and because He lives they shall live also.Lt 368, 1904, par. 9–13 Sanctification through that truth means unreserved surrender, with continuous and progressive increase until grace is lost in glory.Lt 368, 1904, par. 9–13 In the continuing prayer He asks that those facing temptation and trial be kept from evil, and they can trust Him to be with them and grasp and share God's promises, resting confidence on His sacrifice rather than on feeling, since living as if they had no Saviour dishonors Him, and through His sacrifice they may grasp His divinity and have hope, confidence and trust, claiming power in His name in times of temptation and trial.Ms 135, 1909, par. 11+1

Those who have received God's word are not of the world even as Christ is not of the world, for giving them the Father's word made them unlike the world and drew them to belong to God.SG4 232.1+4 Their unlikeness does not mean removal from the world, for they remain in the world while He asks the Father to keep them from evil and to sanctify them through the truth, which is God's word.SG4 232.1+4 Their separation is therefore connected to receiving that word, and their lives are to reflect its unselfish principles while they are kept and sanctified and sent into the world.Ms 93a, 1899, par. 14–15+2

Christ Himself was in the world but not of it, sharing human life with its hunger, thirst, weariness, temptation and trial, yet living without sin and revealing God's character among men.8T 286.3–5+3 He copied no human model but brought from heaven the principles that guided Him, living a life distinct from the age in which He lived and being just what He claimed to be, the brightness of His Father's glory and the express image of His person.Ms 140, 1898, par. 2+1 He stood alone living the law of God and kept a sharp and clear distinction between true and false religion and between the righteous principles that must always mark those who claim to be God's children and the principles of the world, and His life and works reproved the Pharisees without sparing their pretentious godliness mingled with selfishness, hypocrisy, covetousness and unfair dealing, nor softening or erasing that distinction.Ms 50, 1897, par. 7–8 His example required seeking life's purpose without pleasing self and maintaining the highest moral standard, since any departure from strict moral rectitude would have marred His work, yet He worked for men's good and entered their human experience so He could help those facing temptation, bearing good fruit that distinguishes His followers from the world while they serve and benefit those in it rather than withdrawing from ordinary life or cutting off contact with people.Ms 53, 1901, par. 2+1

His followers are to be in the world but not of it as God's peculiar people, pilgrims and strangers seeking a better, heavenly country and the home Jesus has gone to prepare for all who love Him.Lt 21, 1894, par. 3–4+3 The line between God's children and the world is distinct and can never be obliterated, calling them to come out from the world and stand separate, to be molded and fashioned and bear the superscription of Christ, so that even one person living this way can do great work.Lt 21, 1894, par. 3–4+1 To live this is to refuse to follow Baal and refuse to serve mammon, but to follow the meek and lowly Saviour and go about doing good as Jesus did, keeping that heavenly hope in view to comfort cares and bring joy in God.Lt 21, 1894, par. 3–4+1 It means putting self down where it belongs, letting self decrease and Jesus increase, humbling self at every step and letting Jesus do the lifting up, working together with God with Jesus always bearing the heavy end of the yoke so His yoke stays easy and His burden light with a divine Helper at every step.12MR 109.2–3 Lived out, it is purity of heart, fullness of kindness toward all, keeping the way of the Lord, doing justice and loving mercy and walking humbly with God, living up to every requirement of the law and revealing a character copied from the pattern given by Christ, in which self is crucified and Christ lives within by faith in the Son of God who loved and gave Himself.12MR 109.2–3+1

He drew that line of distinction between His disciples and the world, between Himself even and His brothers, the sons of Joseph, in the prayer offered just before His agony in Gethsemane.Ms 16, 1890, par. 51–52 Those words call those wavering between Christ and the world to receive the converting power of God, to come out of the cave of unbelief and stand with Him, no longer questioning need of a personal Saviour.Ms 16, 1890, par. 51–52 The heart as well as the understanding must be enlarged, for intellectual knowledge of truth is not enough without heart work, the soul-temple cleansed from buyers and sellers and opened for the indwelling of the Spirit of God.Ms 16, 1890, par. 51–52 The terms of salvation must be known or there is loss, through feeling and acting as one with Christ, leaving the service of Satan for the service of Christ in true conversion from transgression to obedience and faith, with no compromise with the world, the flesh, and the devil, choosing Christ for the portion and yielding to the gracious influence of His Holy Spirit so the character is formed to the divine pattern.Ms 16, 1890, par. 51–52

Christ has given His followers God's word to keep them from worldly practices, maxims, beliefs, dispositions and attitudes.STE 28.1–2+2 Because their actions, words and spirit are not in harmony with the world, the world hates them as it hated Christ, for like Christ they are not of the world.STE 28.1–2+2 Loyalty to God and His truth does not bring the world's friendship, since the world's hostility toward believers follows the hostility it showed Christ.Lt 28, 1888, par. 8–12+2 Their difference from the world means they must not follow its selfishness and pride or do what dishonors God, but refuse its practices and spirit rather than conform to it.Ms 52, 1904, par. 12–13+1 As they receive God's word and take on Christ's character their likeness to the world grows faint, marking them as belonging to God rather than the world, distinct by calling and not seeking its approval, remaining in the world yet separate from it.STE 28.1–2+2

That hatred brings prejudice, falsehood, slander, persecution and opposition from people joined with Satan against Christ and His followers.Ms 85, 1893, par. 45–49+1 Those who bear God's truth and stand for His law and keep it and bear the Sabbath sign are despised and opposed and should not expect the world to love them when they go against its customs and traditions.Lt 86, 1900, par. 26–28+2 Christians and those serving other masters cannot unite in fellowship and unity, and when Christians follow the truth including the Sabbath rather than the world's customs they may face opposition even within their families.Ms 85, 1893, par. 45–49 They must stand in God's strength and follow the light of truth.Ms 85, 1893, par. 45–49 The world's contention is especially felt by those carrying the last message of mercy to perishing souls in cities and villages that have never heard it, meeting opposition to the truth by many denominational ministers as false shepherds who deceive the people, misinterpret the Scriptures and fill minds with prejudice, so that workers can only pray and depend on the Lord to make a place for His truth.Lt 86a, 1893, par. 14–15

The verse belongs to the prayer Jesus offered alone for His disciples just before leaving them and giving His life for the world, knowing they would be exposed to trials from the opposition of the world.15MR 296.3–297.3+2 Since hatred and opposition come from the world, the aggressive work and warfare of believers is to be directed against error and sin, not against one another, and they are to remain united in Christ rather than turn against one another.15MR 296.3–297.3+1 To allow conflicting views to appear in print for the world or to present differences before large gatherings assembled for worship does the very thing Jesus told His followers not to do, goes directly contrary to His instruction and to the spirit of His prayer, and is work against Christ that Christ never prompts.Lt 77, 1893, par. 9–13 Those who tie themselves to the contention and strife of politics and show their differences and disunion to the world do not meet the standard of separation as He was separate and work against that prayer.Ms 75, 1898, par. 24–25 God requires His people to be a strength to one another, to heal and not to destroy, to keep receiving light and not to spurn the message nor the messengers by whom He sends light, and through Christ they may be a powerful people united in love while the world's opposition presses against them, stronger when worldly wisdom and influence oppose them than when they receive the world's favor and fellowship.Lt 77, 1893, par. 9–13+1

Though hated and separate from the world they are not left alone.Lt 141, 1906, par. 5–9 After His ascension Christ gives them His guidance and protection in a special sense through the Holy Spirit.Lt 141, 1906, par. 5–9 Their faithfulness is His recompense for His conquests, for His ransomed church is the chief source of His glory, and through them God's manifold wisdom is made known unto principalities and powers in heavenly places.Lt 141, 1906, par. 5–9

Christ does not ask that those who have received God's word be taken out of the world, but that while they remain in it the Father keep them from evil and sanctify them through the truth, which is God's word.SG4 232.1+4 Their unlikeness to the world comes through receiving that word, and living by it amid temptation resists lustful thoughts and sinful practices.SG4 232.1+2 That keeping and sanctifying is wrought through God's truth by the Spirit, and their lives are to reflect its unselfish principles with purity and unity accompanying their separation.Lt 44, 1909, par. 2–6+2

Kept and sanctified, they are sent into the world even as Christ was sent, not removed from it but left in it with a work to do similar to the work Christ did.Lt 331, 1905, par. 1–3+3 That sending is to cooperate with Him in active work for perishing souls, carrying on His work of preaching the gospel and saving souls.Lt 331, 1905, par. 1–3+2 Their separation is tied to receiving God's word and carrying out God's plan in bearing a clear message, preparing people for final trials, and witnessing by faithful duty even at the cost of self-denial and sacrifice amid opposition.RH Mar 4, 1909+2 Their shared life and unity in Christ in that sent work are to make the world believe that the Father sent Him and to reveal God's love.RH Mar 4, 1909+1

The sent life makes the temporal always secondary to the spiritual, refusing to push for place in this world at the expense of Christianity, and allowing nothing to divorce believers from fellowship and love for one another.Ms 179, 1907, par. 33–36+1 Distinctness from the world is proved by Christ's character appearing in the life, His will formed within leading to Christlike words and actions, tenderness, love, and fervent spirit.Lt 44, 1909, par. 2–6+1 Thus transformed they serve as Christ served and bear truthful witness to the faith they profess.Ms 179, 1907, par. 33–36+1

John 17 teaches oneness with Christ as He is one with the Father, Father and Son being distinct persons yet perfectly one, and followers are to be one with Him in that same way without loss of personal identity or distinct personality.RH Jun 1, 1905+2 True grace unites believers to Christ and to one another in an enduring union, making them one with Christ in God, bound up with Him as His chosen children.Ms 31, 1906, par. 18–19+2 In that union they become partakers of the divine nature, changed from sin to holiness, escaping the corruption that is in the world through lust, sanctified by the Holy Spirit into a life that reflects Christ's light in service to others.Ms 31, 1906, par. 18–19+1 The Father loves those thus united with Christ as He loves His Son, opening to them a source of rich and eternal happiness that outlives all earthly sinful enjoyment.Ms 31, 1906, par. 18–19+1

That oneness is given to show the world that God sent His Son to save sinners, so that lives lived in unity with one another and with Christ display God's power, purpose, love, and character.RH Jan 27, 1903+3 Christ gave His followers God's word and prayed that they be one in faith and understanding of His word, their shared life in Christ making the world believe that the Father sent Him.RH Mar 4, 1909+1 Confessing and forsaking sin brings believers into that close relation to Jesus, and living union with God then produces hatred for the sin that separates the soul from God, separateness from the world, conviction revealing the light of the glory of God, and evidence to the world of the grace of God upon the heart.Ms 52, 1905, par. 5+1 Difference and disunion among believers dishonor God, while conduct must not display discord and hatred but the character of Christ, since the distinction of His followers from the world requires unity.5MR 49.1+1

The prayer is important for study and practice, to be made the rule of life, studied carefully and followed, lived out so that God can answer the prayer for unity in joy, fellowship, character shaped by grace, and the fruit of obedience to the truth.ST Aug 2, 1910+3 Believers are to seek unity continually, press together, stop dwelling on petty differences, set self aside and obey God's will and truth so that character reveals God's grace to the world, help those who err, and follow the one path Christ has opened to the kingdom where life and immortality are brought to light, with no one called to walk alone.5MR 364.4–365.2+3 Following its teachings brings unity as the only hope of reaching heaven, to be one with Christ and then in and through Christ to be one with one another.ST Aug 2, 1910+2

John 17:14 calls for an education that keeps children and youth in the world while living apart from it, by giving them God's word to keep them from worldly practices, maxims, beliefs, attitudes and dispositions.STE 28.1–2+2 Because their actions, words and spirit are not in harmony with the world, the world hates them, even as Christ is not of the world.STE 28.1–2+2 That education requires diligent, interested, organized and patient effort to instruct those not intelligent in the Scriptures, with children and youth arousing other children and youth to make the Scriptures their study, trusting the Lord to water the sown seed of truth that transforms character and produces a rich harvest of praise and thanksgiving.Ms 62, 1893, par. 3–5+1 The same word sets parents and children apart and unites them through the Holy Spirit.Ms 80, 1912, par. 1–4

Obedience to the instruction in John 17 is to begin in the home, where Christ's words are to be obeyed and His works done with tender, respectful regard for one another, shaping conduct and influence.RH Jul 21, 1903+1 God measures church members by what they are in the home, and when obeyed there its influence extends to the church and lets good works shine before others.RH Jul 21, 1903+1 Then love and unity on earth become a symbol of the family in heaven, and the lamp burning brightly gives light to those in darkness so they glorify the heavenly Father.Ms 127, 1901, par. 44–46

Separation from the world is a deep, broad, eternal truth to govern every church and institution that accepts truth of heavenly origin, and God's people must act on it and refuse principles after the fashion and order of the world, for any other course leaves the way of the Lord and takes strength and vital godliness from the church.Lt 17a, 1891, par. 7–8 Followers who have received God's word are hated because they do not belong to the world just as Christ does not, and their separation means refusing its practices and spirit, selfishness, pride, display, fashion, ambition, plans, customs, traditions, amusements, friendships and purposes rather than conforming to them, until likeness to the world grows faint as Christ's character is taken on.Ms 52, 1904, par. 12–13+3 The followers of Jesus and the world cannot unite, and separation is the condition of being received by God, especially necessary in the last days amid deception.RH Nov 26, 1861 That difference does not mean hating or mistreating one another, but living in the world as Christ's witnesses showing the difference between the spirit of Christianity and the spirit of the world.Ms 36, 1891, par. 41–42

Those kept from evil are not taken out of the world but remain in it, standing apart from its customs and values while walking in heaven's light and carrying His help and presence wherever they go, shining as lights amid moral darkness.ST Mar 3, 1898+1 Staying in the world means carrying religion everywhere and never leaving it behind, associating with people of the world while keeping the glory of God in view with firm character, doing a work for the world wherever they are.ST Mar 3, 1898+1 They reveal the purity and gentleness of Christ in all association, speaking a word for Christ and His truth at every opportunity and living under a continual burden to manifest Him.Ms 39, 1908, par. 13–14+1 Reflecting the light of the Sun of Righteousness by faith wherever they go, they are to be pure, holy and undefiled, with Christ's will formed in them leading to Christlike words and actions, tenderness, love and fervent spirit.Ms 130, 1902, par. 20–21+1 Their distinct conduct makes faith visible, for truth received and obeyed sanctifies and makes them honest, upright and faithful in small and great matters as children of God and members of the heavenly King's family, and as Christ remained among the ungodly to seek and save the lost so believers in a difficult place may testify through faithful duty and a consistent life without sharing sinful pleasures, customs or wickedness.6T 437.1+2

The truth that separates is shown in eating and drinking, dress, speech, thought and action, with body as well as soul and spirit sanctified, and unsanctified actions wrongly support the world's course.Ms 35, 1902, par. 5–6+2 In business those separated remain dedicated, morally unpolluted, honest, upright and faithful in small and great matters while treating others with kindness.Ms 47, 1898, par. 14–15

Separation means living as citizens of heaven advancing Christ's kingdom rather than identifying with political parties or worldly interests, and those who tie themselves to the contention and strife of politics and show differences and disunion work against the prayer offered just before Christ gave His life.Ms 75, 1898, par. 24–25+1 Yet being in the world but not of it does not mean standing independent of the world and putting away privileges and advantages that would advance God's cause.16MR 163.2–164.2+1 Without sacrificing one principle of truth they are to become acquainted wisely with men in high places, even worldly men and idolaters, bring truth before them, give them a fair chance to receive and weigh evidence, travail in soul for them, give the gracious invitation, and receive what God moves them to give of their abundance for the support of the work.16MR 163.2–164.2+1 Medical missionary work is to stay bound up with gospel ministry rather than made the body, with physicians and workers molded after Christ and united with ministers and the church in soul-saving work on the platform of truth, respecting pure living principles and refusing to be influenced by false theories, while worldlings and worldly lawyers are not brought into councils or connection with the work to dishonor its sacredness.Lt 220, 1903, par. 28–30

Those who minister in word and doctrine have God's will plainly outlined in John 13-17, setting forth the philosophy of genuine missionary work and calling for reconversion, to be believed exactly as written with assurance that God means just what He says, watched unto prayer, stood upon faithfully and lived out before fellow ministers.18MR 168.1–169.1 The same chapter calls Christ's followers to give themselves wholly to God and take part in advancing His cause by returning His portion in tithes and putting their means and service to work for it.Ms 45, 1890, par. 16