Alienation is the state of being withdrawn or isolated from the objective world through indifference and isolation. Have you ever felt alienation? You know, not invited to the party everyone else gets an invitation to. A so-called best friend starts another group of friends and makes sure they leave you out. A fraternity or soroirity exludes you because you don't "qualify." I have experienced some of these disappointing times of feeling alienation and they are not pleasant times. That's why it is so refreshing when you experience the total rush of accepting Jesus and sin no longer alienates us from God. In Paul's letter to the Ephesians in Chapter 2 verse 19 Paul says, "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household." When Jesus died He died for all and those who come to him find they are no longer alienated from Him, to the point, of calling Him Abba Father. That is the most intimate family relationship we can have with God. In the early church there was a new message of hope for, not only the Jews, but the Gentiles as well. Those who at one time were alienated, were brought into the family of God through the blood of Jesus and the alienation ended. Praise God!! To be made right with God is awesome and life changing.
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There is another alienation that happens the moment we receive Jesus Christ and this alienation is one that is a confirmation of right standing with God and His purposes. This alienation in some ways alienates us from the world or the flesh because of Christ. We sometimes forget that Jesus was alienated to the point of crucifixion and that separation is the same dividing line for those who call the name of Jesus. It's not like we think we are too good for the world, but it is that we realize that this world is temporary and we are only here for a short time. In others words, we are just passing through on our way to a new world. 1 Peter 2:11 says, "Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul." There are a lot of temptations presented by the world we live in and the definite line between good and evil must be realized and honored by believers. That line is clear to those who search for it and the things that are from God are very recognizable and open. Always be ready to make the wise decisions that line up with God's Word so you can think "on your feet" in every situation. Your continued alienation from the world will keep those lines from blurring, and it will also distance you from the compromised standard we see every day. When you turn more to Christ you will distance or alienate yourself from the world and at times you will feel like you are out of place. That is normal and will become more and more evident until the return of our Lord. Remember, don't ever be caught with your guard down in this battle we face.
I was playing a game where you scored points by stopping a wave of attackers. I asked someone who knew how to play real well what to do and then turned on the game. He told me three things; Find the enemy, Take aim, and fire! Apparently I lost something in translation because when the game started I freaked. I found the enemy, I took aim, and then I hesitated. As the person was watching me he yelled 'fire, fire, fire", and all I could say was "Now, now, now?" Of course, it was too late. My position was overrun and I lost. Why? Because I froze. I had all the instructions, but I wouldn't pull the trigger. There will be plenty of times where you have a chance to represent Christ as a part of His forever family. When those times come, don't be the one who is afraid of being considered an alien. Be proud that you are an alien or stranger in this world. Because of Christ, you are a legal alien. Proudly say, "I don't have visa for this world, but I do have an eternal citizenship in the world to come."
To that I must say, "Glory to God Forever!"
The Pilgrimage continues.......
David Warren
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