Thursday, August 14, 2014

Aliens, Scattered and Chosen

"To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout [...], who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood." (1 Peter 1:1-2)
    In one sense, those who belong to Jesus Christ by faith are not at home in this world. We are strangers, sojourners, pilgrims passing through Vanity Fair, aliens who are citizens of another country, of another city which has eternal foundations and whose architect and builder is God. Our hope of reaching this city is not an empty hope because the triune God--Father, Son, and Spirit--has set in motion a plan to bring us home. The Father, in his eternal wisdom and foreknowledge, chooses. The Son, in his limitless love, laid down his life to redeem. The Spirit, in his power and presence, sanctifies and transforms along the journey, to prepare us for our eternal home.
    The King will not leave his citizens behind. The Father will not abandon his children. Whom He has chosen, He shall ultimately glorify. Be of good cheer today knowing that God Himself has taken the initiative to call, rescue, cleanse, and empower you for the journey that leads back home.
    Father, though I am a stranger in this land, remind me during times of discouragement that You will finish the work which You began, and You will send your Son to come again, so that where He is, we also may be eternally. Amen.

**Hebrews 11:9-11; Ephesians 1:4; John 10:17-18; Romans 8:30; Philippians 1:6; John 14:3

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