In Galatians 1:3-4, Paul writes that Jesus “gave himself to rescue us from this present evil age.” It seems like every day we’re confronted in new and more blatant terms just how evil this present age is. On the one hand, it can be heart-breaking to see a culture in constant decline and that reality should push us towards it with the desire to communicate hope in Christ.
On the other, it serves to remind us that disciples of Jesus are not of this world (1 Peter 2:11) and this place isn’t home. The deteriorating condition of the world should push us closer to Jesus, longing for another land with a Father-King who rules with strength and grace, protecting His children and welcoming them into His presence, face-to-face.
…but does it?
Are you homesick?
I know too often I’m not. That’s what is frightening. It’s when I don’t long for home. That’s when I know I’ve gotten too comfortable in a world I wasn’t ultimately designed for. It’s when I have to pull back a bit and remember I’m not to be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of my mind (Romans 12:2). That comes through the Word–spending time absorbing the Truth, meditating on the reality of another Kingdom that I’ve been born into and fitted for, and praying for a fresh perspective on why I’m still here. Only then will I be ready to engage the world in a way that brings glory to God and healing to the hurting. Only then will I experience what it means to be rescued from this present evil age.
