salt-shaker.blog

Last post we considered what it is to be nomads on this earth – a fetching theological thought with life-altering implications. It is, however, no excuse to check into a hippie type commune and live apart from a frustrating world. Instead the call is to benevolent detachment – as opposed to condescending criticism – from culture’s corrupting influence. We keep our eyes on the prize, living in the grip of Jesus’ kingdom, which He Himself noted was not of this world. He set an example, giving to both Caesar and God appropriate tribute. Paul urges “… let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ…” The ancient Greek word translated “conduct” means literally, “to live as a citizen. Paul told the Philippians to be good, patriotic citizens of the kingdom of God.” Enduring Word Commentary  We are to live worthy of heaven while simultaneously living on earth. In this interim we can think of ourselves as dual citizens, embracing the country we inhabit while setting our sights on a better one. The line can become murky, and our responsibility to neighbors can be spiritualized away by religious duties as in the story of the good Samaritan. But  “what if the Gospel didn’t just shape your private life but transformed the way you show up in the world?” tim keller

How to live this out is elusive. One extreme commodifies our dealings with the world by interacting largely for Gospel opportunity. Another approach makes social activism the ultimate test of faith. As usual, the ambiguous middle ground is probably advisable. What could that look like? Perhaps the Jewish exile to Babylon gives us a template. Jeremiah speaks God’s message: “… seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” Jer 29:7  We are to enhance the community we inhabit now, inviting all who will to join us on our journey to the city whose architect and builder is God. Jesus Himself went about both doing good and preaching the Gospel of the kingdom. His healing works attached Him to earth people while at the same time calling them to be heaven bound. This balance gives us a glimpse of dual citizenship. Good news dressed in good works.

What snares are subtly hidden on this narrow path? Attachment to the good things of this life – family, comfort (for us in America anyway), justice, accomplishment, service, church and community connection, to name a few, is the dust that dulls our spiritual senses. In walking this tightrope, who but Jesus-followers are able to have such a rich vantage point of reality! This perspective is lost if the good things become ultimate things (idols). In Philippians Paul reminds us “…we are citizens of Heaven; our outlook goes beyond this world to the hopeful expectation of the savior who will come from Heaven, the Lord Jesus Christ.”  By necessity we become absorbed in daily activity and the magnetic pull of earthly life. Without conscious consistent effort this life can become our “portion” as the Psalmist puts it. Paul spoke of some who “set their minds on earthly things”, or as the Phillips translation so beautifully puts it  “…this world is the limit of their horizon”. The culture and its cultivation should be on our radar, but for a balanced outlook we must look beyond with our eyes of faith. That vision makes all the difference. 

Before we allow our religious bent to guilt us and create more rules to help us ‘dress for success’, consider our calling. It is to follow Him. Follow the Lamb, learn His fathomless intimate love, His extravagant grace for our failings, His staggering patience with our well intentioned but ill conceived blunders. Learn His voice, wallow in His mercy, recollect His words, weep with worship. Repent, renew, remember. His heart is intertwined with the good world He created. His care is written in blood – His own. Our relationship with Him is the most precious essence of our being. “We live at the mercy of our ideas. This is never more true than with our ideas about God.” Dallas Willard So the  path to dual citizenship is absolute devotion to and an accurate understanding of the King of the seen and unseen universe –  a dual king if you will.

With Paul it is passion, not doctrine: “I count all things but loss … that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.” Oh the lofty prospect of knowing Jesus, the incomprehensible possibility of living in His resurrection power, the terrifying requirement of walking the path of death to self. Oh the humility of being routed and rerouted in our service – expendable, inconspicuous, unsuccessful by worldly standards, playing for an audience of One. A comfy moral life becomes an attractive alternative to our flesh at this point, does it not? But Jesus is not looking for nice moral Bible believing church going people. He wants heavenly citizens who cherish Him enough to bring flourishing to His earthly world. He delights in those who have been ravished by His love enough to forgive others. “This priceless treasure we hold, so to speak, in a common earthenware jar—to show that the splendid power of it belongs to God and not to us.” 2 Co 4:7 jbp  Let His heart leak through our cracked earth bodies and infect those around us with hope. 

 May we fix our hearts on Him and stay salty. 

Shalom!