Not of this World

Romans 8:16 to 18 "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, the heirs - heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory which shall be revealed in us."

As beleivers and followers of Jesus Christ we are heirs to God's Kingdom. At the time we commit ourselves to following Jesus, we step into being citizens of His glorious realm. We also then become aleins in this world we live in. We clearly follow a lifestyle contrary to the world around us. We are in a strange circumstance of needing to function in the world that in many ways is fallen and broken.

When I was in my early teen years and not a Christian, Peggy as a believer in Jesus, would invite me and my friends to Campus Life (Youth For Christ) events. The program was an outreach to high school students. They would offer fun and crazy stuff and weave in the message about Jesus. We would not go to hear about Christ. We would go to goof-off and be obnoxious. While me and my freinds would joke around, the Campus Life staff would plant "seeds". The seeds were basic information about salvation through Jesus Christ. Peggy would drive us home and talk to us about what was said. We use to think it sure was fun, but that Jesus-stuff was weird and not cool. Peggy's approach with us was not in-your-face or controlling. It was out of genuine concern and love for us. Peggy and the Campus Life staff were presenting something to us "knuckle-head" teenagers that was different and contrary to our high school culture.

The seeds of hope in Christ were planted after attending numerous Campus Life functions. But they did not spring up until years later when I was on my own in the Marine Corps. The things said at those functions made an impact on me. Now, having accepted Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior, I too became a citizen of God's Eternal Kingdom. But it doesn't come easy. We are faced with trials and tribulations. Peggy knew full-well she was living a life contrary to the World's way. She knew she would be looked down upon as a Christian. She knew she may face trials possibly more severe then people not of God. While she was not perfect (trust me, as her little brother I would know)...she was steadfast in her faith in God and plowed through the "sufferings of this present time". But now she is experiencing the Glory of God. It is so hard to comprehend God's Glory and the joy we feel when we are in His presence. At times we get just little glimpses of His glory. But this verse tells me that any suffering we face now will pail in contrasting-comparison to the joy we will feel when we are in God's presence. It is the joy Peggy is experiencing now.

Let's look at our own alein status in this World as a joy. There is joy in the fallen World, if our focus is on God. He will allow us to endure difficulty and we will get mere reflections of God in this life on earth, but it will be enough to sustain us. Also, let's look forward to the extreme joy we will live in with God, when we ourselves pass into His presence one day.

Prayer..."Lord help us to endure any suffering now and look forward to being blessed by Your Glory here on Earth and for eternity, Amen!"