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But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ …
Philippians 3: 20 i
You may have heard the adage, attributed to Benjamin Franklin: “Fish and company stink after three days.” Perhaps the saying should be turned about to read, “After three days of vacation, let’s go home.” I love visiting family and friends. Face to face; great times catching up; talking non-stop; eating favorite foods; taking in the sights; playing games; and various other activities. But “Homeward bound! I wish I was homeward bound …”ii
One of my themes in these journals centers on my yearning for my heavenly home, whether via the undertaker or the “upper-taker.” We, as Christian believers still above ground, are living in the “now, but not yet,” or as the Apostle Peter states in:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
I Peter 1-3-5
Visiting away from home means differences:
- Different brands
- Different coffee cup
- Different décor
- Different ideology
- Different layout
- Different pets
- Different pillows
- Different stuff
- Different ways
- Different weather
- …and more
You still belong to your own home, but you aren’t there. Not yet. It’s yours, but not until you are physically there. Longing for our heavenly home is like being away on a trip. Our heavenly home, by grace, through faith, in Christ alone, is ours and real. We are just in the “living hope” stage. What can we expect in our new-very-real Home?
“In our heavenly home, we can expect:
- Perfect Peace: a place where there is no suffering, pain, or sadness, only pure joy in the presence of God.
- Fellowship with Loved Ones: Eternal companionship with God, Jesus, and other believers, creating an atmosphere of love and joy.
- Restoration and Comfort: A future where all things are restored, and we will no longe experience death or decay.
- Divine Presence: a home filled with God’s love, where we will find comfort and assurance.
These expectations reflect the hope and promise of a heavenly existence, where we will live in perfect harmony with God.”
iii
Meanwhile, back on earth … Why are we here? What shall we do? The why and the what involve our role as believers in the now-but-not-yet—in the “living hope.” We are ambassadors for the Kingdom of God. Our job as exiles is to show the world—yes, the unbelieving world—what heaven is like.
- Show: We are to show others how they may have perfect peace with God and a peace beyond understanding in times of distress and conflict;
- Demonstrate: We are, as we fellowship with other believers, to demonstrate how different people can live in harmony with one another with love and joy;
- Proclaim: We are to proclaim His restoration of all things in Christ Jesus and His atonement for us at Calvary;
- Walk: As we walk in God’s virtual presence in our day-to-day life, we will show Him to our unbelieving neighbor.
Challenge: Are you “homesick” for heaven?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I pray for You will soon return to take us to our real home—our Living Hope. Until then, help us to follow Your will here on earth as a demonstration of what heaven is like. Amen
Plan of Salvation: (click link below to how to become a Child of God)
