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A Homeland with Security!
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 A Homeland with Security!
We have probably all heard the old cliché, “do as I say, not as I do,” which of course is a futile attempt to evade the responsibility for one’s actions. However, if someone tells us to "rejoice in all things," then we can reasonably expect that person to at least attempt to do so himself! The apostle Paul wrote from a dark and dank Roman dungeon from which he knew he would likely never return, to the believers in Macedonia, or as we know them, the Philippians, to do just that, and he most certainly did so himself. In our day, it may seem impossible to rejoice always, since there was nothing in his surroundings or his circumstances that would promote happiness, but Paul never once commanded nor are we commanded anywhere in God’s Word to be happy, but we are commanded often to rejoice! To rejoice about something doesn’t mean that we’re happy about it but rather it means we can be joyful even if we are not glad about things. We can do this because of the Gospel, or Good News concerning Jesus Christ the Son of God and what He has done for us by dying on the cross for our sins! One of the many benefits He has won for us on the cross is that He gives us a new Homeland with a sense of security. Paul told the Ephesians that salvation comes through Christ: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” (2:8-9) Concerning this Homeland of Heaven, Paul wrote to the Philippians, “For our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ…” (Phil.3:20) So, once a sinner places his or her trust in Jesus Christ as Savior, their citizenship is in Heaven where Christ is! As Christians we have become a people with dual citizenship; we live physically in the country where we are, but just as real, we also are citizens where Christ is! Christ has come to reside in the heart of the believer, which means the believer is spiritually in Christ! This reality should cause the believer in Christ to live a certain way that is different from the rest of the world-system. Just a tiny sampling of these differences are that the believer once in Christ will have an elevated taste for good things, the peace of God, as well as the ability to face reality even though it may not be pleasant, leading to a strengthening of his character. These are just a few of the things the Gospel of Jesus Christ brings into the life of a believer. Where can we learn these great truths and others like them? We learn them in the Epistle to the Philippians, and BBN offers a great, free study of this Epistle in the BBN Bible Institute: course number 50500, An Overview of Philippians. We trust it will be a blessing to you, and if indeed it is, then please share it with a friend! |
Written By:
David Wyatt
Date Posted:
5/9/2014 10:03 AM
Number of Views:
6619
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