DEC. 8, 2016

Dear {first},
The collective anxiety about our changing world has highlighted the need to consider what it means to faithfully serve and love those around us following the call of Christ.

In the New Testament, there is a clear identification of God’s people being “exiles” (1 Peter 1:1, 17) and “aliens and strangers” (1 Peter 2:11) in this world—citizens of a heavenly kingdom (Phil 3:20) and a heavenly city (Heb 13:14). Those who followed Christ deeply knew they were citizens of a different kingdom, sojourners, exiles, aliens and strangers awaiting the New Jerusalem to come. God’s people willingly entered into exile (cf. Heb 13:11-16), living in a foreign world for the sake of witnessing the true hope of Christ to the world around them.

Living in exile powerfully reshapes our expectations for this world as we are called to seek the good of even those who don’t seek ours. Today we need this perspective shift more than ever as it reinforces an outward rather than an inward orientation, assuming difficulties and challenges to be part and parcel of our earthly calling rather than pursuing the elimination of these discomforts as our goal. It pushes back against a triumphalistic approach to the culture around us and reminds us that we are called to distinctly work and serve the world as God’s people, trusting in His absolute sovereignty to bring good from the brokenness of our world. There is no more powerful example of that than the cross of Christ.

With boldness and courage let us live with this controlling perspective of the glory that awaits us in the coming of New Jerusalem. Until then, let us follow the exilic call set out for us in Christ to pursue the good of all those around us even when it means serving those with whom we have significant differences.

"Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 4:5-7

Sincerely,

David H. Kim, Executive Director, Center for Faith & Work

 

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