Jessica Albritton, Family Connections Minister, LHBC
1 Peter 2:9-11
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 11 Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
Last Monday I closed on my house and moved in. It was a good day but boy was it exhausting! Boxes were everywhere, stacked in corners and crevasses. Because I moved in on a Monday evening, I didn’t have the luxury of unpacking it all at once like I could have had I moved on a Friday. Over the course of the next several days, I slowly unpacked in the few hours I had after work. As I needed something that wasn’t visible, I would go searching through various boxes scattered throughout the house. When I was packing up to move, I started off good with descriptive labeling but closer to the end I kind of got over it and there were a handful of boxes labeled misc. It wasn’t an issue at the time but when it came to unpacking it definitely bit me in the butt! I was talking to a friend about it laughing at my dilemma and she mentioned I should just take my time, one box at a time. “Remember” she said, “This is your forever home. Take your time and put it where you want it and where it makes most sense for you. You have time, don’t try to panic unload. You may lose some stuff in the process and then you’ll have a bigger issue in the long run.”
Forever home… No more moving, no more boxes, no more change of address. That sounds nice. You know, while this home may be my forever home on this side of heaven, technically it’s not my actual forever home. All throughout scripture believers are reminded this world is not our home. It’s temporary, but what we look forward to is permanent. One day we will be laid to rest and wake up in the presence of our Savior! Hebrews 13:14 reminds us that this world is no lasting city, but we can look forward to a lasting city to come. 1 John 2:17 warns believers this world is passing away, but those who place their faith in Jesus are promised they will abide forever with Him. Philippians 3:20 reminds believers this world is not our home; we are not citizens here but are citizens of heaven!
Reading in 1 Peter 2:11-12 we are charged, as sojourners and exiles, to abstain from the passions of the flesh. Believers are warned to keep our conduct honorable as to set an example to nonbelievers. Friend and fellow believer, this temporary dwelling place is nothing compared to what is promised to us! But while we are still here, we have a job to do! We have been tasked to tell others! You see, heaven still has room for more tenants! Who in your life currently isn’t a resident of heaven? Let’s “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Heavenly Father, help me to live as a citizen of heaven and not of this world! Though the world has much to offer, we know You are better! Keep me on task doing the work set before me! Lord, give me boldness to share the good news of the gospel with those around me! In Jesus name, amen!
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
Revelation 3:20- Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.