Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Where is Your Residence?

Scripture:
Philippians 3:18-21 (ESV)

For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Devotional:

Robert E. Lee was asked to join the Union Army during the Civil War.  He felt compelled to refuse and instead he joined the Confederate Army.  It is my understanding that the reason he joined the Confederate Army was because his home state was Virginia, a southern state.  Prior to the Civil War the state a person was from had meaning and was a large influence.  Even today we place a large influence in our home and where we live.  I was born in Tennessee and grew up in Chicago.  Even though I now live in Georgia Chicago and Tennessee hold a special place in my heart.

As Christians, our real home is not on this earth.  It isn’t a state or country.  Too often we forget where our home really is.  Too often we get caught up in worldly things.  We lose sight of our true home.  Our loyalties and priorities shift.  We return to the world we left after we became part of the Body of Christ.  Our focus can easily sway from what is important.  We begin to live once again as men and women of this world.  

What is the best gift in all existence?  The answer is an easy one, salvation.  It is a free gift, even though the price is extremely high.  Grace is freely given.  Once accepted our true home is no longer this world.  Our real home and final destination becomes Heaven.  Think of the last vacation you went on that you really loved.  You loved the location, the atmosphere, and the environment.  You just loved everything about it.  When you got back home what did you do?  If you are anything like me you began to share the experience with everyone you know.  You talked about how wonderful it was and how much you want to go back.  Heaven is a thousand times better than the best place any of us has ever been to or seen.  So why don’t we get as excited about it?  Why are we not sharing it with anyone and everyone?

Remember our home really isn’t somewhere on this planet.  We might have an address that we live at.  We might call a state or country home.  We might live in our favorite city, but none of these are home.  In the end our final destination, or true home lies in one of two places.  Mine is in Heaven.  Where is your permanent residence?

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