LONGING FOR HOME
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2 Peter 3:13-14
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But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven
and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. So then, dear friends, since you
are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless
and at peace with him.
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Everybody who travels away from home and loved ones experiences a
recurrent thought, ‘I am so looking forward to going home!’ And that
should be every Christian's longing too. This world is not our real
home (1 Peter
1:1). Here, we are travellers on the move, but one day we
will go ‘home’ (heaven) to be with our Father. Those who are true
believers cannot have their eyes glued to this world with its shabby values
and widespread corruption, when the glories of a brand-new heaven and earth
make everything else pale into insignificance.
One of the wonderful 'things' about our eternal home is that it is also the home of righteousness. It is a place in which everything that is right and true and lovely has no competition from the shameful deceits of the world, flesh and devil. It will be an environment where God’s reign is uncontested sees that everything is good, just like His original creation (Genesis 1:31). But what a contrast from this world. The challenge is how to get ready for a perfect lifestyle, and do we really want it? If that is our desire, then we need to start living as we intend to continue for all eternity. The words, 'spotless', 'blameless' and 'at peace with God' are huge absolutes. Until we get to heaven we will not attain perfection; but if that is what motivates the longing of our hearts, then we will put every effort into living that way (Colossians 1:10). This is no place for the half-hearted, the casual, or the careless; such attitudes are not worthy of the Lord at all, nor do they show much evidence of any eagerness to meet the Lord.
So Peter says, "make every effort" ... and
he means just that. If we have eternal life then we must put every bit
of our will, effort, skill and resources into being the sort of people that
God has called us to be (Mark 12:30).
The failures can be confessed and forgiven, but what will He say to those who
are not even bothered to try (Matthew
25:28-30)?
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Perfect God. Help me to understand the importance of putting holy
living right at the top of my personal agenda and apply my heart and mind and
soul and strength to pleasing You. Please forgive me for many failures to do
that. May I see the value of learning to live the life of heaven, even though
I fail and need Your help to recover. May I never treat my eternal destiny
with such casualness that I do not bother to try to live like Jesus. In
Jesus’ Name. Amen.
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Wednesday, July 29, 2020
LONGING FOR HOME
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