In my Bible reading last night, I was reading 1 Peter in the HCSB. This version renders Peter's reference to his audience as "temporary residents". Other translations have "strangers", "sojourners", and "exiles". Surely this reality is the inspiration for the lyrics, "This world is not my home; I'm just a' passin' through." We are a part of a kingdom that is not of this world but from another place (John 18:36). We are citizens of the kingdom of God - what Matthew called the kingdom of heaven. Notice Matthew did not write about the kingdom in heaven, but of heaven. Heaven, in Matthew's language, was the source or point of origin of the kingdom that was appearing on earth.
So then, Jesus the Messiah and John the Baptizer announced the coming of a kingdom that has Heaven as its capitol but has invaded the tangible earthly reality where you and I live, work, play and eat. There is a true manifestation of God's effective rule over the people of planet earth. The kingdom of God is truly among us (Luke 17:21). If we become full citizens of this kingdom because God "has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves" (Colossians 1:13), then it makes perfect sense that we should forfeit everything related to our citizenship in the earthly kingdom of the evil one. We've died with our King to the basic principles of this world, so why should we live like we are beholden to them anymore (Colossians 2:20)?
We have to live like we understand our temporary residence here on the present planet earth. While it's true that we're going to "inherit the earth", we understand that the earth we're destined to inherit is the new earth that is the promised home of the righteous (2 Peter 3:13). We haven't been promised an inheritance in this temporary world, and so we do not expect one. No, we're like our forefathers in the faith who "admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth", who were "looking for a country of their own", and were "longing for a better country - a heavenly one" (Hebrews 11:13-16).
Empowered and liberated by a true view of our lives and our true destiny, we're able to endure all kinds of trials joyfully, to be self-controlled (or "serious" as the HCSB has it), to set our hope fully on the grace to be given us when Jesus Christ is revealed, to refuse to be conformed to the evil desires we had when we lived in ignorance, and to be holy in all we do just as our God is holy (1 Peter 1:6-16). We're able to love those who despise us, pray for those who injure us, give more than is asked of us and always seek others' best. We're able to walk by faith and not by sight, worship in spirit and truth, embrace what we cannot touch, behold what we cannot see, and listen intently to what we cannot hear. Understanding our temporary residence in this visible, tangible world, we can truly be those who love and believe in a man we have not seen and do not see. Even still, we fully expect to see Him soon and have placed all of our hope on what He'll bring to us on that day.
Live simply, Disciple. Hold loosely what you enjoy here. You're on assignment, and the Master may change the assignment at any time. It is His estate, after all, and His kingdom. You're playing a role that He's called you to play, doing work that He's gifted you to do. The world is beckoning you to dwell on virtual, fictitious and hollow things while you're here. You must ignore the sirens' call and heed your Master's voice instead. He may not always speak as loudly, but He does speak as constantly, and He can be heard. Be still and know that He is God. Quiet yourself and seek to understand Him. Submit your physical senses to the new and living heart of faith He's planted in you. The language He speaks is the language of faith, and you, Kingdom Citizen, have been given the power to understand Him through the gifts of His Word, His Spirit and His Body (the church). Embrace them, and, in so doing, embrace Him.
So then, Jesus the Messiah and John the Baptizer announced the coming of a kingdom that has Heaven as its capitol but has invaded the tangible earthly reality where you and I live, work, play and eat. There is a true manifestation of God's effective rule over the people of planet earth. The kingdom of God is truly among us (Luke 17:21). If we become full citizens of this kingdom because God "has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves" (Colossians 1:13), then it makes perfect sense that we should forfeit everything related to our citizenship in the earthly kingdom of the evil one. We've died with our King to the basic principles of this world, so why should we live like we are beholden to them anymore (Colossians 2:20)?
We have to live like we understand our temporary residence here on the present planet earth. While it's true that we're going to "inherit the earth", we understand that the earth we're destined to inherit is the new earth that is the promised home of the righteous (2 Peter 3:13). We haven't been promised an inheritance in this temporary world, and so we do not expect one. No, we're like our forefathers in the faith who "admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth", who were "looking for a country of their own", and were "longing for a better country - a heavenly one" (Hebrews 11:13-16).
Empowered and liberated by a true view of our lives and our true destiny, we're able to endure all kinds of trials joyfully, to be self-controlled (or "serious" as the HCSB has it), to set our hope fully on the grace to be given us when Jesus Christ is revealed, to refuse to be conformed to the evil desires we had when we lived in ignorance, and to be holy in all we do just as our God is holy (1 Peter 1:6-16). We're able to love those who despise us, pray for those who injure us, give more than is asked of us and always seek others' best. We're able to walk by faith and not by sight, worship in spirit and truth, embrace what we cannot touch, behold what we cannot see, and listen intently to what we cannot hear. Understanding our temporary residence in this visible, tangible world, we can truly be those who love and believe in a man we have not seen and do not see. Even still, we fully expect to see Him soon and have placed all of our hope on what He'll bring to us on that day.
Live simply, Disciple. Hold loosely what you enjoy here. You're on assignment, and the Master may change the assignment at any time. It is His estate, after all, and His kingdom. You're playing a role that He's called you to play, doing work that He's gifted you to do. The world is beckoning you to dwell on virtual, fictitious and hollow things while you're here. You must ignore the sirens' call and heed your Master's voice instead. He may not always speak as loudly, but He does speak as constantly, and He can be heard. Be still and know that He is God. Quiet yourself and seek to understand Him. Submit your physical senses to the new and living heart of faith He's planted in you. The language He speaks is the language of faith, and you, Kingdom Citizen, have been given the power to understand Him through the gifts of His Word, His Spirit and His Body (the church). Embrace them, and, in so doing, embrace Him.
