As most of us do, I love the Olympic Games. Growing up, I was a track and field athlete, so I am particularly partial to those events! This summer, we enjoyed a great Olympics, especially for the USA! I love the camaraderie and sense of belonging that the Olympics creates. Basketball is a great example. You take the best players in the world, who, except for the Olympics, compete on different teams against one another, and for a few months, they put all of that aside because of the name on the front of their jerseys. They are no longer representatives of the Lakers, Nets, or Warriors but of their home country.
This past Sunday, Pastor Josh taught from 1 Peter 2 how, as “citizens of heaven, we are to live honorably as citizens of earth.” I couldn’t help but think of the Olympians representing their countries in Paris this summer. Whether hailing from Germany, Spain, Greece, or the USA, they temporarily resided in Paris and, while there, represented their home to those around them. Even though we often don’t think of it this way, the same is true for Christians. While we are citizens of earth, our residence here is temporary, and our true and lasting citizenship is in heaven.
This past Sunday, Pastor Josh taught from 1 Peter 2 how, as “citizens of heaven, we are to live honorably as citizens of earth.” I couldn’t help but think of the Olympians representing their countries in Paris this summer. Whether hailing from Germany, Spain, Greece, or the USA, they temporarily resided in Paris and, while there, represented their home to those around them. Even though we often don’t think of it this way, the same is true for Christians. While we are citizens of earth, our residence here is temporary, and our true and lasting citizenship is in heaven.
Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed the message of reconciliation to us. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making His appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.”
– 2 Corinthians 5:18-20
| God is seeking to bring all of humanity into His family, and He is doing so by reconciling us through His Son, Jesus! When we place our trust in Christ to save us from our sins, He also saves us to a new, abundant, and eternal life with Him, to a new citizenship, to a new spiritual family, and to His purpose and mission. Those of us who have been brought from the clutches of death into the family of God now have a new identity and a new mission. |
|
Our primary allegiance is no longer to our earthly family, organization, favorite sports team, or even our own country; our primary allegiance is now to God Himself and heaven, our home. This should change how we operate. We now live in a foreign land, representing our Home and our King to the local people surrounding us.
This should impact every area of our lives. As we approach the election in just a few short weeks, I want you to reflect on your citizenship. I want you to reflect on your King. And I want you to ask how He would have you represent Him to all of those around you, keeping in mind that they are people who He wants to bring into His family.
This should impact every area of our lives. As we approach the election in just a few short weeks, I want you to reflect on your citizenship. I want you to reflect on your King. And I want you to ask how He would have you represent Him to all of those around you, keeping in mind that they are people who He wants to bring into His family.
Recent
Archive
2024
January
February
Prayer Plan // February 2024Honduras Day 1 // Feb. 3, 2024Truth Is - Part 5 [Notes]Honduras Day 2 // Feb. 4, 2024Honduras Day 3 // Feb. 5, 2024Honduras Day 4 // Feb. 6, 2024Two Roads Diverged in a Wood…Honduras Day 5 // Feb. 7, 2024Honduras Day 6 // Feb. 8, 2024Honduras Day 7 // Feb. 9, 2024Truth Is - Part 6 [Notes]Something You May Not KnowTruth Is - Part 7 [Notes]Can We Get Along With Others?Foretold - Part 1 [Notes]Living IntentionallyPrayer Plan // March 2024
March
Foretold - Part 2 [Notes]The Cornerstone of Our FaithForetold - Part 3 [Notes]Wrestling With the TextForetold - Part 4 [Notes]Deliverance Through CommunityForetold - Part 5 [Notes]Not My Will // Palm Sunday [Holy Week]Spring Cleaning // Holy Monday [Holy Week]Broken // Holy Tuesday [Holy Week]Last // Holy Wednesday [Holy Week]Jesus Barabbas // Maundy Thursday [Holy Week]The Old Rugged Cross // Good Friday [Holy Week]I Surrender // Holy Saturday [Holy Week]The Resurrection Changes Everything // Easter Sunday [Holy Week]Easter With The Ridge // Foretold - Part 6 [Notes]
April
May
June
July
August