Exiles In A Foreign Land
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When you visit a foreign country it’s helpful to have a guide. Without a guide, it is easy to get lost. As Christians, we are exiles in a foreign land. We too need a guide. Thankfully Jesus send us one. Please read more.
We know all too well that we live in a world filled with pain, grief, suffering, war, and genuine unrest. This can leave us feeling discontent. We search for purpose as we wander through life. Added to this, is the ever-looming reality of our death.
As Christians, we hold to the hope that although this life may be filled with suffering, our suffering can be a means of growing in faith and drawing closer to God. We know that our own trials, when united to the sufferings of Christ, can become a path to redemption and new life. But we still wish we knew why this life is so difficult.
We find that answer in 1 Peter 2:11 when Peter tells us that we are “aliens and sojourners.” In other words, we are exiles in a foreign land. This important reality helps us to understand that the pain and suffering of this life is transient. It is fleeting. This world filled with hardships and fleeting pleasures is not our ultimate home. Our true citizenship lies in heaven, and we are merely sojourners passing through this earthly realm.
Our journey through this exile can be difficult, but our suffering is not meaningless. As Christians, we believe that we can encounter the living God through our pain, and we can also discover His love for each of us. Our suffering in this world helps us keep our eyes fixed on the eternal horizon, which helps us to find purpose and direction even in the midst of life’s trials.
As exiles, we expect to face challenges and hardships because this land is not our own. We hold fast to the belief that these trials are temporary, and a glorious future awaits us in our heavenly home. This hope gives us the strength to persevere through difficulties with joy and peace. It also provides comfort in times of loss and grief, reminding us that separation and death are not the end, but merely a temporary parting before a joyful reunion in heaven.
We are all on a journey home to our true homeland, the eternal, heavenly Jerusalem. This is a central understanding of our Christian faith. As pilgrims following Christ, we are not bound for an earthly city, but for the new City of God.
Our lives began in this earthly world delimited by time, but our destination is eternity. If we live as though this visible and transitory world were all we have, we will be lost.
When Jesus ascended to Heaven, He did not leave us as exiles without hope, but instead He provided for us a guide through the wilderness to the promised land of eternal life. On Pentecost, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit into the world as our guide who is always leading us home to our Heavenly Father.
When we get lost on this journey, it is the Holy Spirit who is constantly turning us around towards the Father. He is alive and He dwells within us. We must trust that He knows the way to the Father.
Although this world, with all of its pains and problems, is not our ultimate home, we are still called to be engaged in it. Even though we are pilgrims on a journey, seeking the heavenly city that is to come, we cannot live in such a manner that we ignore our earthly responsibilities. Even though we are exiles in this foreign land, we must remain concerned about the things of this world while always keeping our eyes on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
As children of the resurrection awaiting the second coming of Jesus, it is the Holy Spirit who is our guide, spurring us to work actively on behalf of Christ’s Kingdom. While here, we must remain engaged in promoting justice, peace, and brotherhood among all. Our mission while here is to be witnesses and heralds of things to come. We are called to be the leaven of Christ’s Kingdom wherever we find ourselves.
As we journey onward, the Holy Spirit guides us in all truth, including the truth about our eternal destiny. Therefore, the Holy Spirit is essential in guiding us to our eternal home in heaven. The Spirit enlightens our minds, strengthens our virtues, and leads us deeper into the truth of Christ’s revelation, so that we may attain the fullness of eternal life.
If at this time, you are ensnared in pain, grief or suffering of any type, don’t despair or lose hope. Hold fast to what is to come. One day this life will be over, and we will no longer be exiles. One day we will make it home! And, once home, our joy will be complete!
Heavenly Father, I am lost in a foreign land. Life here can be difficult. I trust with all my heart that a better world exists. I long to one day be with you. I trust in Your Holy Spirit to strengthen my faith in Jesus, to help me to resist the temptations of this world, to comfort me in my pain, and ultimately to guide me home to You. Amen!
AMDG
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Please take a moment to share your thoughts about today’s message below.
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What a beautiful way of putting this life in perspective. Thank you. Sometimes it’s so hard to understand or accept but thanks be to God He has a perfect place waiting for us. Alleluia!
Mary Lou
Thank you for posting. Well said! Amen!
Brian
Brian, your message is very timely for me this week. A terrible tragedy happened this past week to a former student of mine. One that is impossible to comprehend through the lens of this world alone. I pray that my friend and her family are sustained by the hope that a better world is waiting. Thank you for the much needed reminder. Jim
Jim
I am sorry to hear of this tragedy. Very often the things of this world are impossible to accept and comprehend, if we don’t have the realization that this is not our home. We are only briefly passing through this world as we journey towards the next. I offer my prayers to your friend’s family. Thanks for your post!
Brian