What a terrific way to think of it. There is no divorce and remarriage (Luke 16:18). This should not have been a surprise because God had told Abraham that this was exactly what would happen: “Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be a afflicted for four hundred years” (Gen. 15:13). Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. It was for Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, for Moses and Rahab, for all the heroes of Hebrews 11, and it is for every believer today, in every nation on earth, both parent and child. Peter writes, “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable” (1 Peter 2:12). I forgot to say your post is so inspiring. 1 Peter 2:11–12, Part 3: Will Others Worship God Because of You? As believers in Christ, we are citizens of heaven. The word is a peculiar and striking expression of longing, found also in Romans 8:19; Romans 8:28; Romans 8:25, "The earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God" (where see Note). The Saviour.--The title is emphatic in relation to the hope of perfected salvation which follows. Trudy, God is happy whether we’re running, walking, or plugging along! We are princesses (or princes). It is found also again and again in the Second Epistle of Peter. But Jesus can bind up wounds as deep as ours. Galatians 4:26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. Our cravings can take us to new spouses, new jobs, or even new cities or countries. We long to see our true King. now made citizens of heaven. Blessings. Furthermore, the people of God both before and after the incarnation have repeatedly suffered under tyrannical and oppressive governments. Psalm 17:15 As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. Knowing that earthly authorities are ministers of God also means that Christians do not engage in disrespectful mockery and dishonoring of those whom God has placed in positions of authority. She and her husband Tom have three children: Magdalene (11), Henry (11), and Lucy (6). Wars are “interesting.” Natural disasters are “interesting.” Ebola outbreaks are “interesting.” ISIS is “interesting.” Given the nature of that which is interesting, I think it is safe to say that most of us would prefer to live in boring times. Anointed One; the Messiah, the Christ. It is the country we belong in, the home and land we’ve been looking for all our lives. The history of black-white hostility in America may leave us with little optimism about healing. (Hebrews 11:13–16). Through our HeartWings Blog, we send our testimonies and messages of faith, hope, and love into a complex and troubled world. As Paul puts it: “Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. I know there are days are fail tremendously, though! Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular. Evacuated in 30 minutes with one suitcase and a backpack. John Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. Talking about our eternal identity and our eternal home isn’t only for the parents of Third Culture Kids. 10:19). 2). Our word is true. We are Christ's ambassadors and Citizens of Heaven, called out of the world to preach Heaven's message (2 Corinthians 5:20, Philippians 3:20 and 2 Corinthians 6:17). Our heart is on the heavenly things, not on earthly treasures (Matthew 6:20). Even more, it is the very space in which to teach my children that we are not home yet. The following two tabs change content below. They are “ministers of God” (v. 6). Ultimately, if we understand what Scripture teaches on these subjects, we know that our God is sovereign, and we trust Him fully. We must understand, for example, that Christians in 2016 are not the first to live in “interesting times.” The invasion of Rome by barbarians was interesting. However, we also do not let disappointment with the faults and follies of our nation lead us to despair or cynicism. From politeuomai; a community, i.e. First, we are clearly told who we are. If we are at all familiar with Scripture, this should never come as a surprise. Did he call for insurrection? But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. And I carried with me the authority of the United States Marine Corps. But there is only one place we’ll find the satisfaction we seek. Personal / Relative Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Singular. Now we are ending a year in the States while my husband pursued a doctorate degree and where we tried, again, to establish a home —a home we will leave in two months. Dr. Keith A. Mathison is professor of systematic theology at Reformation Bible College in Sanford, Fla. this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. You look at a Bible text on the screen. Philippians 3:20-21 says, “But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. Observe chain of command. We do not participate in worldly politics, elections, or debates about their governments (2 Timothy 2:4). John Piper @JohnPiper. She lives in East Africa and blogs at. Second, Scripture clearly tells us who the earthly civil magistrates are. So thankful we know we win the war. 22:15–23). Luke 22:29. We give and it is given back to us in good measure (Luke 6:38). Required fields are marked *. To take my military analogy yet another step, becoming citizens of Heaven means we learn… what the Bible tells us about our identity as citizens of God’s Kingdom, what God’s principles are, and; how to utilize those principles in our lives here on Earth. Boot camp taught me what it meant to be a Marine and how to be one. Parents instruct their children. At that moment, I was enlisted into the US Marine Corps even though I was still a senior in high school. America shouldn’t be our idol because it shouldn’t be our highest priority. But there is only one place we’ll find the satisfaction we seek. Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites. In the Old Testament, the people of God suffered in Egypt under Pharaoh. Matthew 22:37-40. From the most benevolent kings to the most wicked emperors, from the wisest of senators to the most foolish of presidents, all of them have been placed in their positions of authority by our sovereign God. In, on, among. No book to study first. Fix that problem! Furthermore, understanding the biblical teaching means that we do not let an appropriate love of our homeland (patriotism) devolve into idolatry. We are to live, therefore, with a hope that rests in our sovereign King Jesus. Recognizing who we are and where our true citizenship rests should help us view the various nations in which we now live from a truly biblical perspective. The best citizens of heaven will be the best citizens of any country on earth. Debra L. Butterfield is the editorial director for CrossRiver Media Group as well as a freelance writer, editor, and book designer. We can’t always know what our house will look like or what country we will call home for any given season. 29:10–15). She is the author of Unshakable Faith, 7 Cheat Sheets to Cut Editing Costs, Abba’s Promise, Carried by Grace, and Mystery on Maple Hill. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light” 1 Peter 2:9. Peter uses the language we encountered in the Old Testament and calls us “sojourners and exiles” (1 Peter 2:13). Paul writes, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities” (Rom. I’m not home yet. 25:23; 1 Chron. And we do have those conversations, but they are not the focal point. : “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints.” 1 Peter 2:11, “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:” Philippians 3:20, “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;” Ephesians 2:19, To take my military analogy yet another step, becoming citizens of Heaven means we learn….

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