"A Better Country" (Part 3)

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. (Hebrews 11:13-16 NIV).

Today we look at the second of three important questions: “Who will be in heaven?” That’s pretty important if we want to be certain we will get there! The writer gives us four quick little statements in our reading to help us at this point.

First, they are those who have exercised faith. They all died in faith. They lived to the very end of their lives trusting God to do what he promised to do. That’s faith. Second, they are those who believed God’s promises. Jesus said, “You believe in God, believe also in me” (cf. John 14:1-6). It is those people who simply believe that there ARE many rooms in the Father’s house, and Jesus is preparing one for them individually and personally. Third, they are those who confess there pilgrim status. The writer uses the words “aliens” and “strangers.” He is saying they were exiles on this earth. They understand that they are seeking a country of their own and this is not it. I know we emphasize the confession of our sin, but this is different. This is that confession of who we are at the very heart of being. We confess, we proclaim, we declare, we speak the words that this is not our country! Our citizenship is not of this world. Our citizenship is of heaven! Fourth, they are those who earnestly seek this better country. This one is the hardest to understand and practice. The writer uses the participle “looking.” It means to diligently search. It’s so easy to take God’s gift for granted. We ease through our lives as if today didn’t matter as much as tomorrow. Nothing could be further from the truth. Knowing that we are aliens and strangers in this land ought to prompt us to a sense of urgency.

I have discovered more of that sense of urgency as I have aged a bit. In fact, that is at the root of giving so much of my time and energy to the development of Grace Restoration Ministries to be more than an afterthought of ministry. For several years my focus and attention has been divided, and it still is to some degree by necessity. I’ve had to make a living, so I have divided my attention between ministry and “secular” jobs. There is nothing wrong with any honorable work. However, that’s not what God has called me to do. It is a good thing for me, but not a God thing. This came into bold focus last spring and I have been pouring my energy into getting to the place where ministry through Grace Restoration is all that I do. Your gifts and support through prayer and resources are helping to make that a reality. However, the key is that I earnestly seek it. What are you earnestly seeking in your life? It may not be a vocational ministry, but are you confessing your pilgrim status to others? If you are focused on that better country, you won’t need to say much until asked. People will notice it and ask! I hope you are on the same pilgrimage I am. If not, turn to Christ today!