By Not Known
Several years ago, a popular fiction movie has this touching line, “ET go home…" There seems to be nothing attractive enough in this world that will make ET forget about its true belonging, and stay on earth for as long as it desires. The opposite however is true for many people, even Christians. Our familiarity with the material life here and now has rendered eternity incomprehensible so much so that we lose our desire for the heavenly home in Christ, Eternal life is reduced to a concept rather than reality.
Jesus has forwarned us not to make Money our master (Mt. 6: 19-24). But it is not just with earthly possessions that we are to maintain surrenderedness to God, is it? The Apostle Peter exhorts, “Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul." (1 Pet. 2: 11) It is one thing to be a good steward of earthly possessions; it is quite another thing when it comes to handling the heart's desires that are hidden from the sight of man. The real danger is when sinful desires brew within us and boil over to outlets that satisfy the flesh, but destroy the soul. We are to live also as aliens and strangers to our sinful nature so that we may not be fatally mastered by it power (Prov 11:6; Rom 8: 5)
What are some manifestations of our sinful nature? (Rom 13: 13)
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Orgies and drunkeness
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Sexual immorality and debauchery
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Dissension and jealousy
The apostle Peter further exhorts his audience, “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God…” (1 Pet. 2: 12) Notice that they are to live as aliens and strangers to worldliness not by withdrawing from the community. Rather, their lives among the pagans should have such confronting witness for God that people are perhaps curious en ought to ask – “Excuse me! Are you an alien?“
Pray that we will grow in self-control, purity and love, desiring more and more of our heavenly home in Christ. Then the next time someone ask, “Excuse me! are you an alien?” – thank God for yet another opportunity to witness Christ in words.