Amos 6:1 - "Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria..." In Israel and Judah existed a false security and complacency. Because of this the truth of matters were not clearly seen. This is often true of us in our own situations
At ease, complacent, secure, careless, asleep -- all describe well much of 21st century American Christianity. Two complimentary and parallel truths expose the error of complacency.
1. Christ's Kingdom is not of this world. John 18:36 - "My kingdom is not of this world." His Kingdom is not earthly, but heavenly; not fleshly, but spiritual.
2. God's children are temporary residents of this world. Hebrew 11:9,10 - Descriptive terms that the Bible uses for Christians emphasize this fact. We are foreigners, aliens, wanderers, sojourners, strangers, pilgrims. Our citizenship is in heaven. Citizenship here on earth is usually determined by birth -- where and to whom. Citizenship in the kingdom of God is also determined by birth -- by whom -- a second, spiritual birth (John 1:12,13; 3:7; Col.1:13). As citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven, we are ambassabors OF heaven TO earth.
From these two truths we conclude:
Be not entangled in (caught up in) the affairs of this life; II Tim. 2:4ff.
Lay up treasures in heaven; Matt. 6:19-21, Col. 3:2
Love not the world; I John 2:15-16, Jas. 4:9
Our weapons must be chosen carefully; II Cor. 10:4
What Kingdom do you stand for, invest in, love and fight for?
1 comment:
The child of grace
How happy's ev'ry child of grace,
Who feels his sins forgiv'n;
This world, he cries, is not my place;
I seek a place in heav'n.
A country far from mortal sight,
Yet, oh! by faith I see
The land of rest, the saints' delight,
A heav'n prepared for me.
Oh, what a blessed hope is ours
While here on earth we stay,
We more than taste the heav'nly pow'rs
And antedate that day.
We feel the resurrection near,
Our life in Christ concealed,
And with His glorious presence here
Our earthen vessels filled.
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