Philippians 3:20, Hebrews 13:14
I stood in the Kolkata airport in India, and I experienced something for the first time in my life – I WAS THE FOREIGNER! How many times have we walked around in malls, restaurants, sporting venues, and many other places only to see people who don’t speak the same language as we do? Probably a lot. In that moment, did you ever think that it must be awkward at times for people who have had to adapt to the American way of life? What became funny was when Dan and I realized that the Indians were trying to “sneak a selfie with the white Americans!” When we realized what they were doing, we laughed and obliged their request. We stood out like a “sore thumb!” Why? Because India is not our home.
I’ll tell you where else is not my home – this world. The Apostle Paul made this crystal clear when he told the Philippians to make sure their priorities were different than those of the culture. He wanted them to follow his example (vs. 17) of Gospel focus. He criticized, though with tear-filled eyes, Judaizers who were obsessed with “rules and regulations” as a means of salvation and self-indulgent Christians who claimed to love God but did not live up to Christ’s model of servanthood and sacrifice (vs. 18-19). So, Paul reminded the Philippians of where their true citizenship lay. Citizens of Philippi had the same rights and privileges as Romans since Philippi was a Roman colony. One day, all Christians will realize and experience the special privileges of our heavenly citizenship. Until that day comes, we must be busy about our Father’s business of “making disciples who make disciples!” We must make sure that we don’t get so tied to this world and its way of life that we are not getting ready for the return of Christ. If Jesus were to return to earth right now to take you to heaven, would you be ready because you have been living for him, or embarrassed because you have been living for yourself?
What this world has to offer is superficial and temporal! The writer of Hebrews reminds us of this reality. Are you living for what is temporal, like popularity, prestige, prosperity, or power, or are you living for what is eternal through prayer and purpose? Remember that you have a “watershed decision” to make: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21 NIV
You’re not supposed to feel comfortable in this culture…you’re just not! America is not a Christian nation. America is a pagan nation with Christians living in it. The sooner that we accept this fact, the better equipped we will be to “stand for truth!” This is exactly what Paul is trying to get the Philippians to accept. YOU MUST LIVE DIFFERENTLY THAN THOSE AROUND YOU! Why? Because you ARE different! You have the Holy Spirit living inside of you! You have the Gospel that has changed your life and destiny forever!
I can tell you for sure that, at first, I was very uncomfortable being in that Indian airport. I stood out, and everyone seemed to be staring. I had to get to the point where it didn’t matter to me, and you know what, I finally got there. How? I embraced that I didn’t “fit in!” How about you? Have you embraced that you don’t fit in…unless you do, at which you'd better do something about that? Detroit, Warren, Watertown, Goodells, Swartz Creek, or Davison (all places I’ve lived) is not “my home!” HEAVEN IS MY HOME, AND I AM DOING EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO PREPARE FOR WHEN I AM THERE ONE DAY!
THIS WORLD IS NOT MY HOME
This world is not my home
I'm just a-passing through
My treasures are laid up
Somewhere beyond the blue
The angels beckon me
From heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home
In this world anymore
Oh Lord, you know
I have no friend like you
If heaven's not my home
Then Lord, what will I do?
The angels beckon me
From heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home
In this world anymore
I stood in the Kolkata airport in India, and I experienced something for the first time in my life – I WAS THE FOREIGNER! How many times have we walked around in malls, restaurants, sporting venues, and many other places only to see people who don’t speak the same language as we do? Probably a lot. In that moment, did you ever think that it must be awkward at times for people who have had to adapt to the American way of life? What became funny was when Dan and I realized that the Indians were trying to “sneak a selfie with the white Americans!” When we realized what they were doing, we laughed and obliged their request. We stood out like a “sore thumb!” Why? Because India is not our home.
I’ll tell you where else is not my home – this world. The Apostle Paul made this crystal clear when he told the Philippians to make sure their priorities were different than those of the culture. He wanted them to follow his example (vs. 17) of Gospel focus. He criticized, though with tear-filled eyes, Judaizers who were obsessed with “rules and regulations” as a means of salvation and self-indulgent Christians who claimed to love God but did not live up to Christ’s model of servanthood and sacrifice (vs. 18-19). So, Paul reminded the Philippians of where their true citizenship lay. Citizens of Philippi had the same rights and privileges as Romans since Philippi was a Roman colony. One day, all Christians will realize and experience the special privileges of our heavenly citizenship. Until that day comes, we must be busy about our Father’s business of “making disciples who make disciples!” We must make sure that we don’t get so tied to this world and its way of life that we are not getting ready for the return of Christ. If Jesus were to return to earth right now to take you to heaven, would you be ready because you have been living for him, or embarrassed because you have been living for yourself?
What this world has to offer is superficial and temporal! The writer of Hebrews reminds us of this reality. Are you living for what is temporal, like popularity, prestige, prosperity, or power, or are you living for what is eternal through prayer and purpose? Remember that you have a “watershed decision” to make: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21 NIV
You’re not supposed to feel comfortable in this culture…you’re just not! America is not a Christian nation. America is a pagan nation with Christians living in it. The sooner that we accept this fact, the better equipped we will be to “stand for truth!” This is exactly what Paul is trying to get the Philippians to accept. YOU MUST LIVE DIFFERENTLY THAN THOSE AROUND YOU! Why? Because you ARE different! You have the Holy Spirit living inside of you! You have the Gospel that has changed your life and destiny forever!
I can tell you for sure that, at first, I was very uncomfortable being in that Indian airport. I stood out, and everyone seemed to be staring. I had to get to the point where it didn’t matter to me, and you know what, I finally got there. How? I embraced that I didn’t “fit in!” How about you? Have you embraced that you don’t fit in…unless you do, at which you'd better do something about that? Detroit, Warren, Watertown, Goodells, Swartz Creek, or Davison (all places I’ve lived) is not “my home!” HEAVEN IS MY HOME, AND I AM DOING EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO PREPARE FOR WHEN I AM THERE ONE DAY!
THIS WORLD IS NOT MY HOME
This world is not my home
I'm just a-passing through
My treasures are laid up
Somewhere beyond the blue
The angels beckon me
From heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home
In this world anymore
Oh Lord, you know
I have no friend like you
If heaven's not my home
Then Lord, what will I do?
The angels beckon me
From heaven's open door
And I can't feel at home
In this world anymore
Posted in Devotional