Elected Exiles: Christians are resident aliens in this world (Heb11:13). They are not at home in this world, for their stay on earth is temporary (1 Peter 2:11) , Their citizenship is in heaven (Phil 3:20) Therefore as God's elect they live on this earth as exiles and temporary residents.
As i reflect thru Jeremiah, we are CHOSEN to be EXILED on earth in order to RETURN home one day.
or CHOSEN to SUFFER for HIS GLORY.
Jeremiah 23
The Righteous Branch
1 "Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!" declares the LORD. 2Therefore thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for my people: "You have scattered my flock and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for your evil deeds, declares the LORD. 3 Then I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. 4 I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, declares the LORD.
true believers are on exiles, why? true believers must go thru suffering and persecution, but their hope is in God ( a promise in
'I will bring them back'). to bring them home.
Jer 23:28 let the one who has my word speak it faithfully...
purity of hearts leads to telling the truth. i dont draw men to myself, but draw men to be closer to God. hence, the purity of heart is very important. do i speak the truth as i shd speak; WITHOUT thinking how one will respond to my words, or trying to manipulate them into respecting or liking me? the performance trap or the popularity trap.
Personal Response:
Matt 5: 10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (prophets like jeremiah?)
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