“strangers and exiles on the earth”
“By faith Abraham,
(The Letter to the Hebrews 11: 8-10 & 16 NASB)
when he was called, obeyed
by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance;
and he went out, not knowing where he was going.
By faith
he lived as an alien in the land of promise,
as in a foreign land,
dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise;
for he was looking for the city which has foundations,
whose architect and builder is God.
. . .
But as it is,
they desire a better country,
that is, a heavenly one.
Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God;
for He has prepared a city for them.”
There was a time in my life when I wished to blend in, to not stand against & to go with the crowd. Yes, I have walked with others, knowing deep within my being that to do so was “sin to me,” but there I went, walking with the world.
There have been seasons of my life when I did what I wanted to do, enjoying the things this world had to offer & truthfully, I still struggle with this temptation.
There was a time as I have matured in Christ, when I did not wish to leave that which I loved, which was comfortable & that which brought me immense pleasure.
But that time has passed!
- To walk by faith & To do God’s will for our lives—We who belong to God—Must NOT blend in & Must TAKE our stand & Must WALK separate from the way of the world.
To do so, we look odd: “strange & alien.”
This is what God calls His children to do!!!
When Jesus stood before Pilate, Jesus understood God’s will—the CROSS was necessary!
He knew the TRUTH!
Jesus Christ rules, even when chaos seems to prevail in the world.
“So Pilate said to them,
(The Gospel According to John 18: 31-32 NASB)
“Take Him yourselves,
and judge Him according to your law.”
The Jews said to him,
“We are not permitted to put anyone to death,”
to fulfill the word of Jesus which He spoke,
signifying by what kind of death He was about to die.”
Without a doubt, God’s purpose continues—to seek & save the lost. In knowing the TRUTH of GOD, Christians must continually ask themselves daily questions:
- Am I walking in a way that is pleasing to God?
- Am I doing the will of my Lord?
- Is God leading me to walk away from something I love to pursue the will of the Lord for my life?
- Am I praying & seeking opportunities to love as Jesus loves?
- Am I seeking to live out my faith without apology?
Listen to the lyrics sung by MORIAH as she sings the melody—“I Choose Jesus.”
The Gospel message is timeless; the Gospel message does not change: Accept Jesus is the Son of God & Believe in Your Heart that God Indeed Did Raise Jesus from the Dead & Confess Jesus as Lord & You will be Saved!
- May Every Person Alive Always Remember—Only God provides “a better country . . . a heavenly one.”
- May Every Person Alive Resolve to Place God’s Gift of This Day & Our Eternal Future in God’s Hands.
“Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a night vision.
(The Book of Daniel 2: 19-23 NASB)
Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven;
Daniel said,
“Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever,
For wisdom and power belong to Him.
It is He who changes the times and the epochs;
He removes kings and establishes kings;
He gives wisdom to wise men
And knowledge to men of understanding.
It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things;
He knows what is in the darkness,
And the light dwells with Him.
To You, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise,
For You have given me wisdom and power;
Even now You have made known to me what we requested of You,
For You have made known to us the king’s matter.”
- Accept Jesus is Who He Says He Is—the Christ & the Messiah & the Son of God!
- Believe in Jesus’ Resurrection from the Dead!
- Confess Jesus as Lord!
Children of God, we hold the mystery of the Gospel message within us!
- May We Walk Daily in Obedience to God, as Salt & Light of Jesus!
- May We Live, Not Blending in with the world! &
- May We Be Separate as “strangers and exiles on the earth!”