Between Two Worlds
“Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”—James 4:4
For the Christian, life exists between two worlds. The first world is the world of Christ’s kingdom, where our citizenship lies and where Christ manifestly dwells. It has been imparted to our hearts by the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives, but the full actualization will not happen until Jesus comes again. By His Spirit, God has given us a foretaste of heaven, the heavenly city, the destination of our hearts and our lives. The second world is the fallen world of men, where men's sins, ideas, values, philosophies, and dreams are promoted and honored. The world of Christ’s kingdom will endure forever in holiness and everlasting joy, while the fallen world will pass away in eternal fire and judgment. The two worlds are at war.
Imagine for a moment, a boat in the dock of a harbor, readying to go out to sea. The boat is the boat of God, while the dock is the dock of this world. The boat of God is at the dock, pulling away from shore, taking its passengers on a destination to the heavenly city. This fallen world fades away as the boat pulls away from the dock. Some Christians, however, foolishly try to keep one foot on the dock of the world and the other in the boat of Christ’s kingdom. But, it’s impossible. The boat of faith is always pulling away from the world, and any attempt to have a footing in both results only in failure. It’s impossible to have one foot in the world and one foot in the Christian life, for God has a great journey ahead for the people in the boat of faith, one that those on the dock of the world are forbidden to travel.
My brother and sisters in Christ, if you are in boat bound for Christ’s kingdom, don’t attempt to find footing in this fallen world. Do not delay in forsaking all that is keeping you attached to the dock! Leave it behind, dear one, for it will not endure. God Himself has guaranteed us safe passage to the world of Christ’s kingdom. He cares for you and wants what is best for you! Do not think you can stay where you are, the Lord will not allow it! He yearns for you and wants you all to Himself, like a young husband for his bride. He will not share you with another! For His death and resurrection made you His! Embrace Him and bring both feet into the boat of faith, for on the boat of faith is fullness of joy both now and forevermore! Amen!
For the Christian, life exists between two worlds. The first world is the world of Christ’s kingdom, where our citizenship lies and where Christ manifestly dwells. It has been imparted to our hearts by the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives, but the full actualization will not happen until Jesus comes again. By His Spirit, God has given us a foretaste of heaven, the heavenly city, the destination of our hearts and our lives. The second world is the fallen world of men, where men's sins, ideas, values, philosophies, and dreams are promoted and honored. The world of Christ’s kingdom will endure forever in holiness and everlasting joy, while the fallen world will pass away in eternal fire and judgment. The two worlds are at war.
Imagine for a moment, a boat in the dock of a harbor, readying to go out to sea. The boat is the boat of God, while the dock is the dock of this world. The boat of God is at the dock, pulling away from shore, taking its passengers on a destination to the heavenly city. This fallen world fades away as the boat pulls away from the dock. Some Christians, however, foolishly try to keep one foot on the dock of the world and the other in the boat of Christ’s kingdom. But, it’s impossible. The boat of faith is always pulling away from the world, and any attempt to have a footing in both results only in failure. It’s impossible to have one foot in the world and one foot in the Christian life, for God has a great journey ahead for the people in the boat of faith, one that those on the dock of the world are forbidden to travel.
My brother and sisters in Christ, if you are in boat bound for Christ’s kingdom, don’t attempt to find footing in this fallen world. Do not delay in forsaking all that is keeping you attached to the dock! Leave it behind, dear one, for it will not endure. God Himself has guaranteed us safe passage to the world of Christ’s kingdom. He cares for you and wants what is best for you! Do not think you can stay where you are, the Lord will not allow it! He yearns for you and wants you all to Himself, like a young husband for his bride. He will not share you with another! For His death and resurrection made you His! Embrace Him and bring both feet into the boat of faith, for on the boat of faith is fullness of joy both now and forevermore! Amen!
Comments
Post a Comment