"To the temporary residents of the Dispersion..., elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the Blood of Jesus Christ:...'All flesh is grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, but the Word of the Lord endures forever.'" (1 Peter 1)
Notice today our status in this present age, "temporary residents." There is a peace which comes from knowing this, from not attempting to get more out of this, "present evil age," than Jesus intends for us, "For our citizenship is in Heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His Glorious Body...." This is not what the cynics call, "escapism." This is Reality and integral to, "the Blessed Hope," of the Scriptures. This is not, "The grass [which] withers,..and falls away." This is, "....the Word of the Lord [which] endures forever."
"....Temporary Residents": Beware those who attempt to make you such a "now" person that your "now" leaves you disillusioned, defeated, "claiming" stuff you have no right to, and ultimately, "having no hope and without God in the world." Nothing in the, "God-Breathed," Words is "escapism." Psalm 19 tells us that Jesus' Words are, "perfect.., sure.., right.., pure.., clean.., true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than...much fine gold." I cannot say this of any other words. The "now" people are self-centered children. Those who accept/believe and obey the Words of Jesus are of those who are, "....warned, and in keeping them there is great reward"------- both now and forevermore. "Temporary Residents of the Dispersion":...Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I consciously today choose Your Words over that of any other. Amen.
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.'"
Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 12:2
