Resident Aliens

Meditations for Ragamuffins

October 20, 2023

Resident Aliens 

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Philippians 3:20-21

There is a huge temptation to nationalize our Christian faith. While I do not see a conflict with loving our homeland and displays of patriotic spirit, I also believe the Christian should never, ever lose sight of the truth that our citizenship is in heaven. It is good and proper that we pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America. However, as the fully devoted followers of Jesus, our first loyalty is to the Kingdom of God. In truth, we are resident aliens in this land as we look forward to the coming again of Christ Jesus.

The prophet Jeremiah spoke the word of God unto the Israelites as they were exiled in Babylon. His words are equally instructive for us as we await our coming King: “Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare” (Jeremiah 29:5-7).

I believe Jeremiah’s counsel is especially relevant for the church today, especially his very strong direction to Multiply! Do not dwindle away! Too many churches are dwindling away because too many in the congregation refused to embrace Jesus’ commission to “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).

My Takeaway: We are called to remember to work for the peace and prosperity of the city where we live. Wherever we live, we are resident aliens in exile awaiting the return of Jesus. Wherever we live, God has commissioned us to make disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

Sē’lah

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2023 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.