This week I have began reading a devotional book written by Mike Yaconelli entitled Devotion: A Raw-Truth Journal On Following Jesus. When I first began reading it I was slightly apprehensive - the title of the devotion for day one was Aliens. What a topic for a devotional! However, as I continued reading I realized that the Author was not speaking of extraterrestrial beings but of Christians instead.
As a child each of us has heard the word 'alien' associated with UFOs, Mars and other galactic beings. However the definition of an alien given on Merriam Webster's website is quite simple. It reads: a person of another family, race, or nation. If you think of this definition for a moment it is rather easy to see the parallel that the author is using.
Christians have been set aside by God as the body of Christ - a family. We comprise of individuals from different races, nationalities, genders, ages, and biological families. However, in Christ we are all united! Therefore, because we are separated from the world we can be considered 'aliens' in this world. For just as extraterrestrial beings are not of this world neither are we. In John 15:19 it reads: If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.
Regardless of their situation every Christian will at sometime be confronted with a challenge against their faith. However, each of us must choose for ourselves who we serve. "But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, [...] But as for me and my household we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15)
Will you choose to be an 'alien'; separated from the world? Or will you become a child of the earth and be doomed to annihilation without God? The choice is yours, for only you can determine your future in eternity!
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