Dear Hope family,

Thought for the Week

Our place in the world

“I am an alien and stranger among you.” Genesis 23v4

This verse from the Bible Reading chat for today says so much about my place as a child of God in the world.

Abraham had lived in Canaan for 62 years, but he still counted himself an alien and a stranger there. The writer of Hebrews in the New Testament refers to this verse in chapter 11 when recalling people like Abraham and says, “And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth … they were longing for a better country – a heavenly one.” (v14-16)

The writer of Hebrews is explaining that we are like Abraham. Just as he looked ahead to a future that he would never receive while on this earth, so we also look ahead to a future that we will not receive while we are here. This is consistent theme in the New Testament:

• Jesus says of his disciples, “They are not of the world … I have sent them into the world.” (John 17v16-18).
• Peter says, “Live your lives as strangers here,” (1 Peter 1v17) and “I urge you as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from evil desires that war against your soul.” (1 Peter 2v11)

I am to live very differently to how the world lives. Why? Because I have a very different mindset. Why? Because I am destined for heaven. Why? Because my home is with the Father! That changes everything!

With love and blessing,

Roland