Queridos hermanos, les ruego como a extranjeros y peregrinos en este mundo, que se aparten de los deseos pecaminosos que combaten contra la vida.
1 PEDRO 2:11 (NVI)
Tu identidad está en la eternidad y tu patria es el cielo.
Cuando entiendas esta verdad, dejarás de preocuparte por «tenerlo todo» en la tierra. Dios es muy tajante en cuanto al peligro de vivir para el momento, adoptando los valores, prioridades y estilos de vida del mundo que nos rodea. Coquetear con las tentaciones de este mundo es lo que Dios llama adulterio espiritual. La Biblia destaca: «¿No saben que la amistad con el mundo es enemistad con Dios? Si alguien quiere ser amigo del mundo se vuelve enemigo de Dios».
Imagina que tu país te pidiera que fueras embajador en una nación enemiga. Tendrías que aprender un idioma nuevo y adaptarte a algunas costumbres y diferencias culturales para poder ser cortés y cumplir tu misión. Siendo embajador no podrías aislarte de tu enemigo. Para cumplir con tu misión, tendrías que estar en contacto e identificarte con ellos. Supongamos que te adaptas tanto a ese país extranjero que te llega a gustar mucho y lo prefieres a tu patria. Tu compromiso y lealtad cambiarían. Comprometerías tu papel de embajador. En lugar de representar a tu país estarías actuando como el enemigo. Serías un traidor.
La Biblia afirma que «somos embajadores de Cristo». Tristemente, hay muchos cristianos que han traicionado a su Rey y su reino. Han llegado a la necia conclusión de que esta tierra es su hogar porque viven en ella. Y no es así. La Palabra de Dios es muy clara en esto: «Queridos hermanos, les ruego como a extranjeros y peregrinos en este mundo, que se aparten de los deseos pecaminosos que combaten contra la vida». Dios nos advierte que no nos aferremos mucho a lo que está a nuestro alrededor porque es temporal. Se nos advierte que «los que disfrutan las cosas de este mundo, [vivan] como si no disfrutaran de ellas; porque este mundo, en su forma actual, está por desaparecer».
Day 6/2nd Part – Life Is a Temporary Assignment
Life Is a Temporary Assignment
Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul.
1 PETER 2:11 (MSG)
Your identity is in eternity, and your homeland is heaven.
Your identity is in eternity, and your homeland is heaven.
When you grasp this truth, you will stop worrying about “having it all” on earth. God is very blunt about the danger of living for the here and now and adopting the values, priorities, and lifestyles of the world around us. When we flirt with the temptations of this world, God calls it spiritual adultery. The Bible says, “You’re cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way.”
Imagine if you were asked by your country to be an ambassador to an enemy nation. You would probably have to learn a new language and adapt to some customs and cultural differences in order to be polite and to accomplish your mission. As an ambassador you would not be able to isolate yourself from the enemy. To fulfill your mission, you would have to have contact and relate to them.
But suppose you became so comfortable with this foreign country that you fell in love with it, preferring it to your homeland. Your loyalty and commitment would change. Your role as an ambassador would be compromised. Instead of representing your home country, you would start acting like the enemy. You’d be a traitor.
The Bible says, “We are Christ’s ambassadors.” 7 Sadly, many Christians have betrayed their King and his kingdom. They have foolishly concluded that because they live on earth, it’s their home. It is not. The Bible is clear: “Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul.” God warns us to not get too attached to what’s around us because it is temporary. We’re told, “Those in frequent contact with the things of the world should make good use of them without becoming attached to them, for this world and all it contains will pass away.”
Compared with other centuries, life has never been easier for much of the Western world. We are constantly entertained, amused, and catered to. With all the fascinating attractions, mesmerizing media, and enjoyable experiences available today, it’s easy to forget that the pursuit of happiness is not what life is about. Only as we remember that life is a test, a trust, and a temporary assignment will the appeal of these things lose their grip on our lives. We are preparing for something even better. “The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.”
The fact that earth is not our ultimate home explains why, as followers of Jesus, we experience difficulty, sorrow, and rejection in this world. It also explains why some of God’s promises seem unfulfilled, some prayers seem unanswered, and some circumstances seem unfair. This is not the end of the story.
