Resident Aliens

August 25, 2014

Resident Aliens

But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 3:20 (NRSV)

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).

Two parts of Jeremiah’s counsel are especially relevant for the church today. First, 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 “go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).

Secondly, work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Wherever you live, you are a resident alien in exile awaiting the return of Jesus. Wherever you live, God has commissioned you to work for the peace and prosperity of your community. How’s your work coming? Are you remembering to pray to the Lord for (your community), for its welfare will determine your welfare?

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. The BLOG is also available on Amazon Kindle, by subscription.

Publications by Alex M. Knight:

·        Seeking the Life in Christ, Meditations on the New Testament and Psalms has been published and is now available at Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle.

·        The second edition of  First Think – Then Pray is available on Amazon Kindle.

·        Meditations on The Story of My Life as told by Jesus Christ has been released as an e-book on Amazon Kindle.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.