True Saltiness

25. Now large crowds were going along with Him; and He turned and said to them,

26. "If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple.

27. "Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

28. 'Or which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it?

29. "Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who observe it begin to ridicule him,

30. saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.' 

31. "Or what king, when he sets out to meet another king in battle, will not first sit down and consider whether he is strong enough with ten thousand men to encounter the one coming against him with twenty thousand?

32. "Or else, while the other is still fat away, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace.

33. "So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.

34. "Therefore, salt is good; but if even salt has become tasteless, with what will it be seasoned?

35. "It is useless either for the soil or for the manure pile; it is thrown out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

Luke 14:25-35 NASB

Over the last few years there has been a lot of talk of "engaging the culture", of being salt and light. However, a lot of what we have been seeing has very little to do with being salt and light compared with the expectations of the one we are supposed to be following, Jesus.

Context is important. When we read the words of Jesus stressing the importance of saltiness we must consider the whole passage if we want to understand just what Jesus is teaching.

From this passage we see several things or requirements that Jesus sets down as conditions for those who would follow Him.

1. Our allegiance to Jesus must surpass all other relationships. Family must not stand in the way of our obedience to Christ. In fact our very lives are no longer our own to live as we please. In actuality our allegiance belongs to Christ alone, no one else.

2. If we are to follow Jesus we must be willing to follow Him even unto death. A disciple is called to deny himself, take up his cross and follow the Lord (see Mark 8:34-35). As stated above, we are not our own. Our plans and purposes in this life must be put aside for the greater plans and purposes of Christ. That is self denial. 

A man carried his cross on the way to a certain death. At that moment he was as good as dead. He had no plan or purpose from that point on. Only one thing was certain, he was going to die. Jesus is painting a picture here of an individual whose only purpose in life or death was to serve Him. 

3. It is vital that we count the cost. How many people who profess to be  Christians have actually sat down and seriously considered the weight of passages like these? You know, denying self, following Jesus at all cost, including family relationships, and even the inclusion of all our possessions? I fear many start out without realizing the true cost and commitment involved in being a disciple of Jesus Christ. And what is the result of this? There are many false Christians out there, Christians in name only, and this is what is so tragic.

To be able to "engage the culture" with any degree of success we must be like Jesus in our speech and actions. The world is not fooled by a Christian who lives, talks and behaves in the same way they do. To live a life that is drastically different from the life Christ has shown us by example, will negatively impact the very world we are trying to engage. In fact it will repel them.

In His sermon on the mount Jesus stresses the importance of brokeness, humility, a hunger for righteousness, showing mercy, heart purity, being a peace maker, and a willingness to suffer persecution for one's faith. Again, this is the context leading up to another statement concerning our being salt and light (Matthew 5:2-16).

How much selfish behavior, pride, anger and division do we see Jesus allowing us if we are to be effective in reaching the world with the gospel?  

Our being salt depends upon these things set forth by Jesus in His sermon on the mount. There is a correlation between our conformity to Christ and our ability to be salt to a lost world. If the salt has lost its taste it has become useless. A Christian's testimony ruined will turn others away from the savior. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

Salt and light

Jesus tells us, His followers, that we are to be salt and light to an unsaved world. We read this in Matthew 5:13-16,

13. "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how will it be made salty again? It is good for nothing anymore, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

14. "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 

15. "Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the peck-measure, but on the lamp stand; and it gives light to all who are in the house.

16. "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

The apostle Paul also states that we are to be lights before the world. 

14. Do all things without grumbling or disputing;

15. that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world,

16. holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may have cause to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.

Philippians 2:14-16

To state it plain and simple, if you claim the name of Christ, the world is watching you. Does your life mirror the teachings of Jesus, or do you look more like the lost world around you? You are either bringing glory to God by your life and conduct, or causing His name to be blasphemed. How quickly our salt can lose its ability to season the world around us by compromising with the ways of this same world.

At what point is a Christian's testimony ruined beyond repair because of sin? This is a question that we should all ponder. I understand God's forgiveness and grace, but yet we can lose our credibility before a world that sees no difference between us and them.

When the world views us they should see Jesus. We should be kind-hearted, compassionate, humble, treating others as we would have them treat us. I could go on, but you get what I mean. Pride, arrogance, anger, hatred, and selfishness are the ways of the world that we have been saved out of. These we must put off.

James warns us,

You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

James 4:4

A similar passage is found in 1 John 2:15-17. Again we find that we cannot have worldly pursuits and represent Jesus at the same time. The two are incompatible.

15. Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone  loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.

17. And the world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God abides forever.

And we read this in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18,

14. Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?

15. Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?

16. Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 

17. "Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate," says the Lord. "And do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you.

18. And I will be a Father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me." Says the Lord Almighty.

When we as Christians align ourselves with unbelievers we are forming unions between two completely opposite things. It cannot work. We as followers of Christ cannot "touch what is unclean" and expect to remain clean ourselves (see Haggai 2:12-14). And even worse, we are dragging Jesus into our sin, our partnership with unrighteousness, our fellowship with unbelievers.The world, as a result sees a different Jesus, a Jesus who looks completely different than the Jesus portrayed in Scripture. His name is reproached. 

Instead of conformity to the ways of a corrupt world, we must maintain our separation from it. We are in it, but not meant to be of it. Our mission is not to fix it, but to represent Christ to it. It is His kingdom we are to build, one soul at a time. 

 True Christians obey Jesus. They allow His teachings to shape their life. In fact they are being transformed into the image of Christ, more and more each passing day. This, and only this, is what it means to be salt and light.

(Scripture quoted taken from the New American Standard Bible 1977 text)

 

The Eschatological Focus of the Church.

I listened to a message given by Art Katz the other morning. It really challenged me to look at my life and what I was living for. In this message Art defined an apostolic Church as one that lives with the end in focus. This gives it a sense of urgency. All of it's efforts are ultimately aimed towards the return of Jesus and His coming kingdom. Like I said, it was challenging to say the least. We say "Lord, Lord," but is He really our Lord? So in turn, I would like to share some thoughts of my own.

It doesn't take long in reading through the New Testament to realize that the early Christians were looking towards the goal. They had their eyes on the end, the return of Christ and the coming of His kingdom, when all things would be made new. 

I think it would be good for us to spend time in the word of God, looking at these things, and allowing the Holy Spirit to challenge us to move up. It can be easy to drift into the every day routine. Many of us spend the week pursuing our careers, hobbies, college educations, and so on, yet faithfully attending church on Sunday. We devote the majority of our lives to temporary pursuits; our focus is in the wrong place.

I understand we have to provide for our families, and work is part of that process. However, there is a point when our focus changes from the eternal, from what is unseen, to that which is temporary in the here and now (2 Cor 4:18).

This is something that by God's grace we must all work out. Jesus tells us not to worry about the essentials of life. Instead, we are to make His kingdom and righteousness our life's ambition, and the things we truly need will be provided us (Matt 6:25-34).

Jesus is showing us where are hearts are at. If we are consumed by life's affairs, that is what we treasure, and that is what has captured our hearts. In the context of His second coming, Jesus warns us not to be weighed down with the worries of life. That day will come upon those who are like a trap (Luke 21:34).

The early Church lived as strangers in this world. They understood that this life with all of its pain and sorrow was only temporary. They looked towards the day when there would be no more pain, no more death,and the curse would be reversed. They understood that God would dwell among them and make all things new ( Rev 21:3-5, 22:3-5). Don't get me wrong, good times can be a blessing, but with the good comes the very real possibility of losing our focus, and slipping into complacency. The danger is real, prosperity breeds self sufficiency, and our focus settles on the comforts of the here and now.

They were citizens of heaven, and as such they eagerly awaited the Savior who would come to bring the final redemption of their bodies, transforming them into His likeness (Philippians 3:20-21, Hebrews 9:28). 

Jesus is coming for those who are eagerly awaiting Him, who love His appearing ( 2 Timothy 4:8). Can we truthfully say we long for His coming? Or are we comfortable and happy with how things are? Of course we might give a mental assent to the fact that someday Jesus will return, but hopefully not now. Understand, I'm not intending to be harsh, but I want to challenge each one of us, myself included, to place our focus where it really belongs.

The fact of Jesus' second coming challenged the first Christians to live in anticipation, to be ready to see Jesus face to face. There was work to be done, and the fact that this world as it is, is only temporary, spured them on. Paul in describing the resurrection of the dead, and the transformation of the saints at the return of Christ, exhorted the Corinthian believers to be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in the work of the LORD (1 Corinthians 15:50-58). Likewise, Peter

Instructed his readers, in light of the end, to eagerly look for the coming day of God. This day will bring about the destruction of this temporal world with all of its sin. But, out of the ashes so to speak, a new heavens and earth where righteousness dwells is coming. So if this is true, how should we live today? If this is a reality in our hearts, we should live holy lives so that when Jesus comes He will find us spotless and at peace (2 Peter 3:10-14). John states that when Christ returns we will be like Him. In the meantime, those who have this hope fixed upon Jesus will purify themselves, just as He is pure (1John 3:2-3). Is this how we are occupying our time?

Again, I only desire to challenge us to examine our hearts, to determine what we are really living for. Our we happy and content with our temporal pursuits? Do our careers or plans consume our lives, leaving very little room for Jesus and His kingdom? Or are we living with a focus on the goal. The end of the temporary, and the ushering in of the eternal?

God and Governments

 Here in America we are sure facing a lot of stress and division during this election cycle. Sadly I see a lot of tension, fear, distrust, and even anger among professing Christians. Here are a few verses to ponder in the days and weeks ahead. Perhaps the Bible can help us gain a different perspective.

     This decision is by the decree of the watchers, and the word of the holy ones, in order that the living may know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, gives it to whomever He will, and sets it over the lowliest of men. Daniel 4:17 NKJV

     While the word was still in the kings mouth, a voice fell from heaven: "King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom is departed from you! And they shall drive you from men, your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen: and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses." Daniel 4:32-33 NKJV

     Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.  Romans 13:1 NKJV

Now we could dig in depth into these verses but for the sake of brevity I will only make a few observations. First of all we read in these verses that it is God who ultimately raises leaders and bring leaders down. We do not understand all His reasons for why we see certain men in power, but be sure of this, God in His sovereign purpose rules in the kingdoms of men. We also can infer from this that rulers are not necessarily godly men. The verses in Daniel refer to Nebuchadnezzar, who was not someone we would emulate as Christians. 

Paul's reference in Romans 13 was written in the days of the Roman Emperor Nero, one of the cruelest leaders the world has seen. It was this Nero who persecuted the early church, throwing Christians to the beasts in the Roman coliseum. Yet we see Paul saying that God places leaders in their positions of authority, and we are to respect and submit unto them. Also we can pray for them so it will go well for us (1Tim 2:1-3). As Christians can we at least do this?

So in closing remember that whether your candidate won or lost, your party is in control or not, as  Christians we look to Jesus as our Savior and King. It is ultimately His kingdom that we are citizens of, and are to seek (Phil 3:20, Matt 6:33), not the kingdoms of this world. Our best efforts should be put into reaching the lost for Jesus Christ, as His is the only Kingdom that will endure (Daniel 2:44, 4:34, 7:13-14, Rev 11:15).

     

Review of "Jesus Untangled"

I recently read a book entitled "Jesus Untangled", by Keith Giles. I was offered the chance to download this book free of charge if I would review it on my blog, so here goes.

I believe that this book addresses a very real problem in the evangelical Church today. The issue is that of national pride and Christianity merged together, resulting in what we see today. For many American evangelicals, God and country are on equal ground. They view America as God's chosen people, and advancing the kingdom of God is equated with doing whatever makes America great and prosperous. This is why we see so many Christians active in politics, just as concerned with the constitution as they are with the Bible, and pledging allegiance to the flag of an earthly kingdom.

This book really steps on toes as it confronts these issues, but it is something that needs to be "shouted from the roof tops" in my estimation.

There is a radical difference between the Kingdom of God, and any of the world's kingdoms, including America. While some nations may operate on better principles than others, the fact remains that they are still earthly kingdoms. None of them, including America, are founded upon the teachings of Christ. The truth is, they operate on selfish principles. As Christians we are called to separate our selves from this and to unselfishly follow Jesus Christ. His teachings go against the grain of those of this world. While nations strive and struggle for wealth and power, we are called to love, and give, and to turn the other cheek. Sadly the type of Christianity that so many follow today explains away what Jesus commands us to do, and embraces the policies of America instead, in the name of God and country.

The first Christians were not politically active, they were not caught up in the affairs of the state, and rejected national pride, considering themselves instead strangers and pilgrims upon this earth. This changed with Constantine, who declared Christianity the national religion of the Roman empire, and thus began the merger of Church and state, which has been an entanglement that has plagued the Church ever since.

As a result we now have Christians embracing war and military might, something that Jesus never taught, and the early Church rejected. We have resorted to politics and legislation to set the moral tone of our country instead of spreading the gospel and seeing people changed from the inside out. Now our worship is divided between Christ and the flag, and our allegiance is divided as well, between God and the nation. The modern Church has become entangled in the affairs of a secular kingdom, and has forfeited Christ and His kingdom.

Once again, I believe this book is right on target with its message. It will surprise many who read it. It may offend many, and step on some toes, but if it gets your attention and causes you to take a look at how far we have fallen from truly serving Christ, it will be worth the read.

Two Kingdoms: An Anabaptist Perspective on Warfare | Dean Taylor

The Destruction of the Foundations.

If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?
Psalm 11:3 NASB








     We see an unprecedented amount of ungodliness in our world today. Just as in the days of Noah, it appears that the thoughts and intents of the heart of man are only evil, all the time (Gen 6:5).
     It seems ironic that as I write this, that we are celebrating independence day, while in reality millions are in bondage to their sunken depravity. It matters not that freedom has been "legislated" for deviant sexual behavior; there is no freedom apart from the radical freedom from sin that comes only through Christ Jesus.
     I want to primarily address those who would call themselves Christians, as judgment first begins in the house of God (1 Peter 4:17). What we are seeing today, not only in our nation, but within the walls of the "professing church," is the result of building upon a faulty foundation. Many have chosen to build their spiritual house upon the sand, rejecting the rock that would ensure the true spiritual prosperity of those holding the faith "once delivered" (Matt 7:24-27; Jude 1:3).
     In what ways have the foundations been destroyed? In what ways have we been found to have been building upon sand? Let's look at some "basic" things in scripture, that have been neglected, and even rejected by generations of professing Christians, leading, I believe, to what we are seeing today.

     1. What happened to the fear of the Lord?
     This is at the entry level. The fear of the Lord is basic to our knowledge of God, and the beginning of wisdom (Prov 2:1-5). With no fear of the Lord, it is impossible to be a true Christian, one who in truth, believes in, and follows the Lord Jesus Christ.
     Proverbs 9:10 tells us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. To fear the Lord is to take Him seriously. It is to believe what He reveals to us about Himself; His standards, His justice, righteousness, and holiness. It is to take His words seriously when He speaks of judgment and hell. To fear the Lord means that we take to heart what He tells us of ourselves; our sinfulness and rebellion, our lost condition; of our being dead in sin apart from Him. The fear of the Lord will cause us to depart from evil (Prov 16:6). This fear drives us to seek the Lord, and to live in obedience to Him (Job 1:8). It is a healthy fear, a clean fear, distinguished from a slavish fear that is based upon "performance," always looking for one more good deed to perform; always worried that there is one more thing to do to ensure our salvation. No, the true fear of the Lord causes us to take Him seriously; to believe what He says, and to act upon it. It causes us to repent and surrender; to give up our sin, and to submit our lives to Christ; to follow Him in loving obedience for His sake, not for what we can get out of Him.
     We have lost this fear. We would rather feel good about things; ourselves and our actions, even though they may deviate from scripture. We would rather have a god of our own invention; a god who does not punish sin, who does not convict us when we stray. We would rather have a Jesus who did not speak about hell and coming judgment; and many have twisted His words on these things to explain it all away. We would rather have a Jesus who bore the cross for us, and said nothing of our need to deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow Him (Mark 8:34). We say it is a finished work, and indeed it is. There is nothing we can add to the work of Christ on our behalf. Yet, He calls us to lose all for Him; to deny ourselves, and to follow Him even unto death if we would be His disciples. Why do we reject this today? Those who call Lordship salvation a heresy, are in effect calling Jesus a heretic, as He is the one who preached it first. Where is our fear of the Lord?
     You see, there is very little of the fear of the Lord in existence today. This is why so many of us can sin so easily, and come back with a half hearted confession, or no confession at all. This is why it is so easy to call ourselves Christian in name only, while our lives are filled with the devil. If we do not take the scriptural warnings at face value, and the New Testament alone, is full of them, we won't really care what our lives look like to God. That is why we can see so many "happy" people in Church tolerating any and everything that comes along; they worship God with their lips, while their hearts are far from Him (Mark 7:6-7).

      2. The scriptures have been explained away.
       The Bible tells us that scripture is God breathed. It is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness (2 Tim 3:16). Jesus states that those who continue in His word are truly His disciples, and they will know the truth that can set them free (John 8:31-32). We have seen in the last several generations, an assault on the word of God, to make it of little or no effect. Men have placed doubt upon the inspiration of the scriptures, others upon the absolute truth of the scriptures. They have explained away the miracles, the commands, warnings and the promises of the word of God, in favor of mere humanistic "wisdom" and effort.
     Many people within "Christianity" believe that the Bible contains the words of God, but is not the word of God. Many others look at it as merely a cultural thing that has no real bearing on today's culture. They believe it is old and antiquated; it was for a different time, and it cannot work for us today to follow the principles found within it. So many of the promises and commands found within it's pages are explained away by the "cultural" argument. Once again, even New Testament principles are rejected by the modern "Church."
     There are those within the realm of "Christianity who reject the reliability of God's word. They say that you cannot believe everything that is in the Bible. These people believe that some things are true, while other things are not. This leads one to question the reliability of anything revealed to us by God, even the gospel. This also leads people to pick and choose what they will believe and follow as Christians; a dangerous concept indeed. Those who teach this are much like Satan when he placed doubt in the mind of Eve (Gen 3:1-5). We are warned: Do not add to, do not take away from God's word (Rev 22:18-19). The word of God is not subject to our own interpretation. We do not have the option to make it say what we want to hear (2 Peter 1:20-21).
      As I stated earlier, my purpose in writing this is to show us the dangerous ground we are on within professing Christianity. This is primarily addressed to those who call themselves Christians, not the world at large. These are common teachings within many of our churches and denominations today. Look it up. There are many polls out there that show the rejection by professing believers, of some of the most basic and orthodox beliefs found in God's holy, inspired word. How can we expect a Church to live according to the precepts and principles found within the pages of the sacred word, when it has been so thoroughly explained away by our modern pastors, teachers, theologians, and professors?

     3. There is very little love of the truth found today.
     The Apostle Paul wrote of a coming time when men would no longer endure sound doctrine. Instead, they would gather to themselves teachers who would teach them what they wanted to hear (2 Tim 4:3). We are living in an age where there is little love of the truth. Mega churches are filled with "seekers" desiring to have their ears tickled with soothing words. Pastors are busy dumbing down spiritual truths, choosing to give "uplifting" messages rather than confront the lost with the claims of Christ and the truth of the gospel. People do not want to hear of hell and judgment; they do not want to hear about sin and repentance. They would rather be soothed; have their ears tickled, and be encouraged to embrace who they are regardless of how wicked it may be in the sight of God. Pastors and modern evangelists have spread a gospel that comforts sinners in their sin. They have encouraged people to "come just as they are" with no sorrow, and no repentance. The modern gospel is more concerned with the happiness of man than the glory of God. Churches are filled with individuals selfishly seeking their best life now, using God for their own personal gain. But this is not how the Bible portrays salvation or true Christianity. The message of the cross is one of death to sin; of self denial and persecution; of trial and tribulation. The mission of Christ was to set men free from sin. The word of God assures us that those who are truly born again are overcomers. Their lives are no longer the same; they do not live how they used to live; they have been transformed (2 Cor 5:17; 1 John 3:5-6, 5:4-5).
     Those who reject the truth do so because they love wickedness. There is a strong warning of God's judgment for those who refuse the truth. God will send them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false (2 Thess 2:10-12). Those who are willfully ignorant, who choose to reject the truth for a lie, will be given over to falsehood, and go lost. This is a serious warning to those who seek out teachers who will tell them what they want to hear. As for those who teach a different gospel than what is revealed in the scriptures, they are under a severe warning as well. Paul says they are accursed; devoted to destruction (Gal 1:8-9). It is no small matter in the eyes of God when we exchange the truth for a lie (Romans 1:18-32).

     These may seem like hard words to many. It is not my desire to offend, but to speak up, to sound a clear warning; something is wrong! We are told that Christ is to come back for a Church without spot or wrinkle. He is looking for a Church that is holy and blameless. When He comes back, it will not be for a country club; a place where everyone can get together and have a great time feeling good about God, and themselves, and all of their sin. He is not returning to take home all of those who have used Him for the advancement of their worldly pursuits. He is not coming for the television hucksters who peddle a gospel get rich quick scheme, or for those who faithfully sowed a "seed" in order to gain material blessings. This is nothing more than the promotion of a god for hire, yet so much of our American Christianity is based upon these and other selfish principles.
     We need to get back to the basics. We need to cry out for wisdom, to seek it as we would seek silver and hidden treasure. We need to discern the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 2:1-5). We need to take Him at His word; to believe that He means what He has said. We need to come to Him in humble repentance, to submit ourselves to Him; to receive His word and obey it. We must love His truth, even when it is hard. And to love His truth means that we let it shape our lives, and we speak up boldly in defense of it no matter the cost. The church is to be the pillar and foundation of the truth (1 Tim 3:15). We must pray for strength and wisdom in these perilous days. We must pray for revival to shake us up, to awaken the sleepers, and to prepare us for the days ahead, that we would be found worthy of Christ at His return.
     

Strangers and Exiles.

All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.
                                                               Hebrews 11:13-14 NASB


    

     There are two kingdoms. The kingdom of this world, and the kingdom of God. These two stand in stark opposition to one another. The one is built upon selfish principles, the other humility and love.
     Jesus tells us that unless one is born again, he cannot enter the kingdom of God (John 3:3-5). The thing that keeps us out is our pride. As selfish individuals we live for self, at the expense of others. This pride ultimately refuses to submit to God, shutting us out of His kingdom. Only through the new birth, the washing of regeneration, and the renewal of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5), can this selfish principle be eradicated from our lives, making us fit for the kingdom of God.
     Those who have entered Christ's kingdom, through the new birth, are now at odds with the kingdom of this world. It is true, that by our physical birth, we are citizens of this world; we live in the various nations that make up this world, but now we reside in this world as strangers and exiles. We are like pilgrims passing through a strange land. This world is not our home.
     As followers of Jesus, we now live for a different purpose, and have different motives for our actions. This is clearly spelled out for us in the teachings of Jesus, in particular, the "Sermon on the Mount" found in Matthew 5-7. Jesus shows us that the things esteemed by the world, are worthless by the standards of His kingdom. As a result, those who would live by the principles Christ set forth, will find themselves at odds with this world. In fact, they will be rejected. The world in all of its pride, has no room for the meek and humble, no room for those who love their enemies, and who willingly forgive those who wrong them, and despises those who value purity over the pleasures that it has to offer.
     The Apostle Peter addresses the recipients of his first epistle as aliens (1 Peter 1:1). They were not only strangers on this earth, but were also driven from their country as well, because of their faith. Jesus warned us that we would be persecuted for his sake. Just as the world rejected Him, it will also reject His followers (Matt 5:10; John 15:18-20). As the Apostle Paul says, "Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:12).
     In our "American Christianity" we are suddenly becoming aware of a great dividing line. As we see the blurring of truth, and the mass acceptance of sin in our culture, and even among those in the "professing" church, we are forced to either blindly conform to this evil world, or go against the current. It is becoming painfully evident that those who choose to stand alone on the side of righteousness, are in the minority. It is unpopular to stand for Jesus according to biblical principles, and those who choose to do so are finding out that the world does not understand them. In fact we see true Christians being slandered and maligned, in the things they say and do (1 Peter 3:16).
     Peter tells us that as aliens and strangers, we are to abstain from the fleshly lusts that war against our souls. We are to keep our behavior excellent among the inhabitants of this world, so that although they may slander us as evildoers, our good behavior will cause them to glorify God in the day of visitation (1 Peter 2:11-12).
     We are called to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. This verse tells us that we stand out as lights in this world (Philippians 2:15). Jesus has called us to be light in a dark world. We are to let our light shine before men, so that they may see our good works, and glorify God (Matt 5:14-16). Paul tells us to expose the deeds of darkness (Eph 5:11-14). We have a purpose in this world, to point the way to Christ by our witness, and by our lives. This is why we must not compromise, not give way, and not shrink in fear. Even though we are strangers here, we are ambassadors for Christ, God working through us, to reconcile the world unto Himself (2 Cor 5:19-20).