Steven A. Bush - May 30, 2021
Sojourning Together
1 Peter 2:9-12 tells who we are: "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us." (NIV) In the days of the early church, Christians had fierce opposition. Persecution was common. If arrested and you didn't swear allegiance to Caesar, execution was likely. Therefore, love and fellowship between genuine believers was indeed precious. Today, with our citizenship also in heaven, having trustworthy brothers & sisters in Christ in our time of exile should likewise be valued as precious. What might it take for us to regain the deep sense of love and trust shared by our ancestors in the faith? How might we once again bask in the rich blessing of having fellow sojourners walking with us through thick and thin? What might God need to do to bring it about? Let this be our prayer: "Whatever it takes, Lord, please make it happen!"