"All these people were still living by faith when they they died ('died in faith'). They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth." (Hebrews 11:13, NIV)
Too many in Christendom today are not, "foreigners and strangers on earth." They are all too familiar with the earth and are more citizens, "on earth," and embrace the earth's various cultures and life styles than the, "distance," promises. The people of Hebrews 11 had, "from a distance," kind of faith. As Philippians 3 says, "Our citizenship is in Heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." Contrary to the cynics' accusation of escapism, such people are the only ones in touch with reality.
Most people today are only interested in promises which they can receive now, not the ones, "they...[see]...from a distance...." For them, our text speaks of the old "pie in the sky by and by," and they want nothing to do with that. The philosophy of the world and too many Christians is, "I want it now, and if I can't have it now from Christianity, I'll find something or someone who will give it to me----- now." Tragically, what they are really saying is that they will follow those who at least teach, preach, and promise now stuff. Well then, they are left out of the people mentioned in Hebrews 11.
So many people are laboring for the here and now "promises" that they are going to miss out on are eternal promises. Jesus said, "Do not labor for the food which perishes, (and all those other things which are perishing) but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because the Father has set His seal on Him." The number one "labor" of humanity is for, "food on the table and a roof over our head." Well, the Day is coming when no one will need that "food" and that "roof," in fact there will not even be a, "need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminates it. The Lamb is its light." Dear, "foreigner[] and stranger[] on earth," your eternal destiny depends on what and whom you are "seeing" and "welcoming."
Father, in Jesus' Name, sometimes I wonder about my "vision." Thank You for Your Words which constantly make course adjustments. Amen.
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Read the truth about Islam at: www.apf327.blogspot.com
Too many in Christendom today are not, "foreigners and strangers on earth." They are all too familiar with the earth and are more citizens, "on earth," and embrace the earth's various cultures and life styles than the, "distance," promises. The people of Hebrews 11 had, "from a distance," kind of faith. As Philippians 3 says, "Our citizenship is in Heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." Contrary to the cynics' accusation of escapism, such people are the only ones in touch with reality.
Most people today are only interested in promises which they can receive now, not the ones, "they...[see]...from a distance...." For them, our text speaks of the old "pie in the sky by and by," and they want nothing to do with that. The philosophy of the world and too many Christians is, "I want it now, and if I can't have it now from Christianity, I'll find something or someone who will give it to me----- now." Tragically, what they are really saying is that they will follow those who at least teach, preach, and promise now stuff. Well then, they are left out of the people mentioned in Hebrews 11.
So many people are laboring for the here and now "promises" that they are going to miss out on are eternal promises. Jesus said, "Do not labor for the food which perishes, (and all those other things which are perishing) but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because the Father has set His seal on Him." The number one "labor" of humanity is for, "food on the table and a roof over our head." Well, the Day is coming when no one will need that "food" and that "roof," in fact there will not even be a, "need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminates it. The Lamb is its light." Dear, "foreigner[] and stranger[] on earth," your eternal destiny depends on what and whom you are "seeing" and "welcoming."
Father, in Jesus' Name, sometimes I wonder about my "vision." Thank You for Your Words which constantly make course adjustments. Amen.
*****************
Read the truth about Islam at: www.apf327.blogspot.com
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
