We know that we are now sons and daughters of God. We are also now citizens of another Kingdom. The Kingdom of heaven! So how does that look? Jesus said that we are not of this world (John 15:19). That we are only temporary residents. At the same time, in relation to this life here on earth and experiencing the goodness of God and His creation; we, as His children should be enjoying, to the full extent, all of who God is and what He has made for us because we intimately know the One who is the author of life and the creator and designer of this world that we live in. Also, there is a new way to understand and operate in this world as a child of God. Seeing and interpreting all the circumstances of life from God's perspective and understanding.
We are now strangers, foreigners, and ambassadors of Christ
1Peter 2:11 Dear friends, I warn you as "temporary residents and foreigners" to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.
Hebrews 11:9-16 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as [in] a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced [them] and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that [country] from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return (they did not desire to return to their old life so they looked forward with expectation and hope). But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly [country]. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
Hebrews 13:14 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come.
2Corinthians 5:1-2 For we know that if our earthly house, [this] tent (our existing bodies), is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven,
2Corinthians 5:20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore [you] on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.
We used to walk in agreement with this world and its philosophy
We must not attempt to understand or interrupt this new life that we now have from our past experiences or the “us centered” knowledge we have gained up to this point. God considers it foolish and has given us fresh insight and into His wisdom through His word.
Dr. Henry Morris quote
“There is a time to confront evil men who place their human judgments above the Word of God. Fallen men do not have the right to judge the Word and tell others what it means to them; human opinions and expectations are not revelations from God.”
1Corinthians 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.
1Corinthians 5:16 So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now!
John 7:7 "The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil.
John 15:19 "If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
Ephesians 2:1-2 And you [He made alive], who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,
Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what [is] that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
James 4:4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
Waiting for the other shoe to drop or are we living with anticipation of His goodness
Are we living with an anxious expectation that something bad is going to happen because things have been going well or that things are about to get worse when things are already bad? Or do we live with an expectation of good as we trust and walk by faith in God’s goodness towards us? God loves us so much and has only good for us even though our circumstances my say something different. God is working all things in our lives together for our good and always with our best in mind.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
2Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.
Jeremiah 33:3 'Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.'
Mark 11:23 "For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,
Mark 9:23 "What do you mean, 'If I can'?" Jesus asked. "Anything is possible if a person believes."
Matthew 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
John 15:5 "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
