Hewbrews 11:13, 16 - These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strnagers and exiles on the earth...But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city.
Hebrews 13:14 - For here we have no lasting city, for are looking for the city to come.
John Piper notes:
Being Christian exiles in American culture does not end our influence; it takes the swagger out of it. We don’t get cranky that our country has been taken away. We don’t whine about the triumphs of evil. We are not hardened with anger. We understand. This is not new. This was the way it was in the beginning –- Antioch, Corinth, Athens, Rome. The Empire was not just degenerate, it was deadly. For three explosive centuries Christians paid for their Christ-exalting joy with blood. Many still do. More will. It never occurred to those early exiles that they should rant about the ubiquity of secular humanism. The Imperial words were still ringing in their ears: “You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved” (Mark 13:13). This was a time for indomitable joy and unwavering ministries of mercy. Yes, it was a time for influence –- as it is now. But not with huffing and puffing as if to reclaim our lost laws. Rather with tears and persuasion and perseverance, knowing that the folly of racism, and the exploitation of the poor, and the de-Godding of education, and the horror of abortion, and the collapse of heterosexual marriage, are the tragic death-tremors of joy, not the victory of the left or the right.
Read the full article here
5 comments:
Zach-step away from the keyboard. Step away nice and slow. I am worried about you. If you continue like this I am calling an intervention.
Go outside and run, play with your kids, or write a song. Blogging has taken control of you. Go easy man. This is like the 100th post you've had in 2-3 days.
Not nice at all.
I have good stuff to say!
I know they were just aping Dylan, but maybe Radiohead were right when they sang about Subterranean Homesick Aliens. To think of oneself as an alien is somehow appropriate, granted this coming from an ol' naval-gazing Lutheran.
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