John 17:14-15 says, “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 pray that you should take them out of the world, but that you should keep them from the evil one.” In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus prayed this to his Father. In verse 14 he prays what he already told them (15:18-19). Then he says, “they are not of the world” just as he was not of the world. How was that? Through their obedience? Hardly. Jesus categorizes them — and us — as originating ‘out of this world.’ But he’s going somewhere with this prayer. Instead of praying for their escape, he prays for their protection from “the evil one” (Satan). Let’s remember our ‘other world’ status and destination and resist (James 4:7) our enemy today.