In Southern California and other border states, there are many residents who live locally, work locally and raise families locally, yet their hearts remain in the country of either their birth or their heritage. While it may appear that they should follow their hearts to the land of their choice, it is not as simple as that. Some live in the United States for purely financial reasons, while others simply can no longer survive in their homelands. Whatever the reasoning, there are many people who are essentially “strangers in a strange land.”
As Christians, we should understand that feeling, for though we remain on this earth, our God, who is outside of the dimension of time, already sees us as seated in the heavens according to Ephesians 2:4-7. How can we be seated in heaven if we are still struggling on earth? According to Hebrews 12:23, the church already is registered in heaven. This is not like a hotel reservation, as though we might have plans, there are an infinite number of events that could change whether or not we actually stay in the hotel. Instead, as believers, we are registered in heaven and nothing can change that fact!
2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
Colossians 3:2-4
The problem occurs when we focus on the world, rather than heaven. It is easy to do when we rely on our senses, what we can grasp, smell, taste, see and hear. Instead, God wants us to center ourselves on the work He has set aside for each of us. Rather than worrying about provisions, if we are busy in the Lord’s work, He certainly will provide! Miraculously, He provides all we need, often in the hour we need it!
19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:19-21
Money is not the only stumbling block that trips us. Idolatry is anything that gets in the way of our relationship with God. Sadly, all of us stumble along those lines. Often, the treasure even can be a person, who we love so much that we cannot envision life without them. Yet no matter how special that love can be, it cannot compare to a heavenly life of dwelling with the Lord! Whenever God desires for us to join Him, it will be the perfect time!
Our challenge is how to dwell in a godly manner in a world that does not honor God. We still can honor Him in all we do! That includes all of our relationships – within our families, at school, at work, at church and at play! Even when we are confronted with people who do not believe in God, we remain His representatives. Additionally, we should make a special effort with strangers and aliens, for we are aliens on this earth, as well. Store up your treasures in heaven, for the Bank of God gives much better interest! He remains interested in you!
The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.
Leviticus 19:34
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