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by Robin McKinley

Most of us remember the day when we accepted Jesus. It changed your life, didn’t it? Are you still living that new life? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not asking about your salvation.

No, I’m asking if you still think about the things of heaven. Or, do you get bogged down about the things going on around you? Look what Paul told us in Colossians.

Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.  Colossians 3:2-3

One of my favorite chapters in the Bible is John 17. This entire chapter consists of a prayer Jesus prayed for His disciples and for us. In this prayer, He prayed the following.

I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. John 17:15-16

So we are in this world but not of the world. Peter gave us a warning in his first epistle to stay away from worldly desires. Those desires can go well beyond blatant sin.

Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. 1 Peter 2:11

If we are just temporary residents, then what are we to do? Peter also addressed that just a couple of verses prior.

You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9 

How We Should Be Living this New Life in Christ  

Maybe this illustration will help. A few years ago our family rented a house in Florida for our parents’ 50th wedding anniversary.

We stayed at the house for a week and I have to say, it was quite nice. We slept in its beds, swam in its pool, watched its TVs, and cooked in its kitchen.

The house though wasn’t ours and we didn’t pretend it was. In fact, we treated it better than if it did belong to us. At the end of the week, we left the house clean and vacant.

Maybe each one of us should be living our life in Christ the same way. Living it like we are just passing through and yet living honorably for the Lord.

Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world. 1 Peter 2:12

Do you agree that this world is not our home? Do you believe we are pilgrims on a journey? However, do you actually live that way?  Look at how we can do that.

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Colossians 3:1

Living our life anew in Christ gives us a new perspective on life. Why, because we believe in the realities of heaven. Look what happens when we live in that manner. 

 And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. Colossians 3:4 

Lord, thank you for our new life that you gave us for living in this world to please you. 

About the Author: 

Robin, with his wife Cindy, became children’s evangelists early in their ministry. They ministered to children full time for 8 years. During that time they developed several children’s stories which were told with visuals and puppets.

Robin recently turned two of those stories into children’s books. One is called “The Contest,” a book about the Fruit of the Spirit, and the other is called “Twas the Night of Christmas”.  He has also authored 5 volumes of devotional books called, 3 Minutes Alone with God. Each entry is a product of his personal biblical Journaling.

These and his other writings are available on his website called Christian Perspectives at www.ramckinley.com. When you visit this site, you can sign-up for newly written devotions as they come out which will be emailed to you.

Presently Robin is the pastor of Calvary Christian Center in Pottstown, PA. He is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God. He and his wife make their home in Birdsboro, Pa. He also serves as the president of the local ministerium. He and Cindy have two married sons and four grandchildren.