What Christians Will Face In The New Year

“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.” [1]

One contemporary translation of the text chosen for this day reads as follows: “The only thing that matters is that you continue to live as good citizens in a manner worthy of the gospel of the Messiah. Then, whether I come to see you or whether I stay away, I may hear all about you—that you are standing firm in one spirit, struggling with one mind for the faith of the gospel, and that you are not intimidated by your opponents in any way. This is evidence that they will be destroyed and that you will be saved—and all because of God. For you have been given the privilege for the Messiah’s sake not only to believe in him but also to suffer for him. You have the same struggle that you saw in me and now hear that I am still having” [PHILIPPIANS 1:27-30 ISV].

This translation captures the essence of life as a Christian, though we hold dual citizenship. None of us hold a passport from our eternal home, but we live here as in the knowledge that this present residence is not permanent. I was born in the United States of America, and I am a citizen of that great nation. I confess my love for my natal land. I’m truly a patriot who prays God’s grace on the nation in which I grew to manhood.

Many years ago, I chose to become a citizen of Canada, permitting me to fully participate in the life of this nation. And I love this great land and the opportunities I have received as a citizen of Canada. I pray for God’s mercy to be showered on Canada.

However, more than fifty years ago, I became a citizen of an unseen land. I was born an American and I elected to become a Canadian citizen; however, I was born again into the Family of God and I became a citizen of Heaven by that new birth. I’ve never been to Heaven, but I long to go there. Until my Master calls me home, calls me join Him in that land, I am charged to serve as an ambassador where I now reside.

I'm kind of homesick for a country

To which I've never been before.

No sad goodbyes will there be spoken

For time won't matter anymore.

Beulah Land I'm longing for you

And some day on thee I'll stand

There my home shall be eternal

Beulah Land, sweet Beulah Land

I'm looking now, just across the river

To where my faith, shall end in sight

There's just a few more days to labor.

Then I will take my heavenly flight.

Beulah Land I'm longing for you

And some day on thee I'll stand

There my home shall be eternal

Beulah Land, sweet Beulah Land

Beulah Land, oh it's Beulah Land

Oh Beulah Land, sweet Beulah Land [2]

I confess that I’m homesick. I grow weary in the struggle, and I acknowledge that my strength is small. However, the Apostle has spoken for me, and I am convinced that he spoke for all who follow the Master when he wrote, “As it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again” [PHILIPPIANS 1:20-26]. As was true for the Apostle, I am increasingly torn between my desire to go to the home which my Master has prepared and my desire to stay here to complete my course.