God's embassies

TODAY'S READING: 1 Peter 2:4-12
Most of the other nations in the world have an American embassy. While we often call the building an embassy, an embassy is actually a group of people that represents the United States in that nation. While located in a foreign nation, the land upon which the embassy is based in not considered part of that nation. It is also a place where refugees sometimes go to escape their nation.
As I read what Peter had to say, it made me think that we are embassies for God in this world. We are a group of people who are here to represent God. We speak to those in the world on God's behalf. While we are present in this world, we are still foreigners. Consider what Jesus said in His prayer shortly before His arrest and trial.
"And now I am coming to you. I have told them many things while I was with them so they would be filled with my joy. I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not. I'm not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They are not part of this world any more than I am. Make them pure and holy by teaching them your words of truth. As you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself entirely to you so they also might be entirely yours." (John 17:13-19)
The role of the American Embassy in Germany is not to act like Germans. The role of those people is to represent the United States to the people of Germany. Those who are a part of the embassy maintain their American citizenship.
Our role as followers of Christ is not to act like the world. Our role is to represent God to the people who live in this world. We must never forget that we are citizens of the kingdom of God.
We are a kingdom of priests, called to offer our lives as a sacrifice to God.
We are God's holy nation, set apart to live according to the example set by our King.
We are God's own possession, purchased with the blood of that same King.
We are called to live pure lives not to earn our salvation, but to show that God has rescued us from the darkness of sin. As God's embassies in the this world we must never deny our citizenship in God's nation to be accepted by this world. The more we live like foreigners and aliens, the more meaningful our message will be. And in the process we can be a refuge for those who seek to escape the darkness of this sinful, broken world.

shine!
Jason