Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
A “foreigner” is defined as “a person not belonging to a particular place or group; a stranger or outsider.” Most of us don’t think we’re “foreigners.” If we go overseas, then we might consider ourselves foreigners for a time. But, when we return, we’re home again. – and no longer foreigners. Or are we?
Consider Isaiah’s words to us. He writes “Keep justice, and do righteousness, for soon my salvation will come, and my righteousness be revealed. Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath, not profaning it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil.” (Isaiah 56:1-2) This is a Christian’s life. How does a life lived like this square with the life the world around us often espouses? For example, when we live by “keeping the Sabbath, not profaning it, and keeping our hands from doing any evil” we live counter to our culture. This makes us “strangers or outsiders” in the world – foreigners.
“Keeping the Sabbath and not profaning it” means more than attending worship on Sunday or Wednesday. It involves truly trusting God and His provision. Keeping the Sabbath honors God by recognizing all we have comes from Him. We earn a paycheck or good grades because He’s given us knowledge, skills, and abilities. We use these gifts at work or school in accordance with His will. When we understand He’s the source of all we have, we know and trust He provides us whatever we truly need. This absolute trust in God and His provision frees us to refrain from evil – coveting, unhealthy desiring, and hoarding God’s provisions. We’re freed by this trust to give our time, talent, and treasure to serve God and His creation. We don’t worry that we’ll run short. We trust God will provide.
So, it’s good to be a foreigner – one freed to trust God and do His will – to love Him with all our hearts, souls, and minds and to love our neighbors as He loves us.
In God’s Peace,
Pastor Jim