"You know that you who
are the servants of God dwell in a strange land; for your city is far away from
this one…. Have a care, therefore: as one living in a foreign land…. Have a
care, then, ye who serve the Lord, and have Him in your heart, that ye work the
works of God, remembering His commands and promises which He promised, and
believe that He will bring them to pass if His commandments be observed. Instead
of lands, therefore, buy afflicted souls, according as each one is able, and
visit widows and orphans, and do not overlook them; and spend your wealth and
all your preparations, which ye received from the Lord, upon such lands and
houses. For to this end did the Master make you rich, that you might perform
these services unto Him; and it is much better to purchase such lands, and
possessions, and houses, as you will find in your own city, when you come to
reside in it."
–The Shepherd of
Hermas 50.1, 6-10 (mid-2nd century)
I have traveled to foreign countries for missions work twice, once to Eastern
Europe and once to Central America. There was never a moment during either trip
when I forgot that I was not at home. The entire time I knew I was a stranger
in a strange land. The language, customs, and culture that surrounded me were
very different than my own. This does not mean they were wrong or bad. I
enjoyed eating the local food, meeting the people, and, in the case of the
first trip, studying the language. But it was still foreign to me. I was an outsider, and I knew I would soon be
leaving and returning to my own people and land.
The NT uses similar ideas to describe our place in this world. Peter
refers to Christians as “elect exiles” and implores them “as sojourners and
exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh” (1Pet. 1:1; 2:11). Paul
reminds his readers they ought to “deal with this world as though they had no
dealings with it” because it is passing away (1Cor. 7:31).
We can and should enjoy the wholesome things of this world as gifts of a
good and loving God (Ecc. 3:11-13). We are not to separate from the world; we
are to be salt and light within it (Matt. 5:13-16). But we must bear in mind “This
world is not my home; I’m just a passin’ through. My treasures are laid up, somewhere
beyond the blue.” This world is not
our home, and we must beware becoming too comfortable in it. Enjoy life, and
use what God provides for His glory. But know who you are, where you belong, and
where you are going. –JME
