A Life in Exile

As we close out on the importance of remembering past events, these last few passages from the New Testament build on what we’ve already found in the Old. We are quick to forget our own actions in our efforts to justify ourselves. We also are helped by remembering the actions of others on our behalf. When hard times come, we must not forget all that we’ve already endured for the sake of Christ, but remember and press on in faith and trust. And finally, as the Lord disciplines us and urges us to remain on the path of righteousness, we are called to remember the sins that so easily entangle us.

So, here we are, urged by God’s Word to remember, and in remembering, we confess, find restoration, and the energy to persevere toward the goal to which he has called us in Christ Jesus.

Remember and do good now, before it’s too late.

One of the most intriguing stories Jesus tells is that of the rich man and Lazarus. I don’t say parable, because only God knows if this is an allegory or a true interaction between a dead man and Abraham. Either way, it has much to teach us.

This man had lived in luxury all his days. At the gate of his house, there also lived a beggar named Lazarus who was denied even a scrap from the man’s table. Both men eventually die. In obvious shock to those who heard the story, Jesus says the beggar was taken to Abraham’s side, while the rich man went to hell and faced horrible torment. In his agony, he pleads to Abraham to have Lazarus dip just the tip of his finger in water and provide relief to his tongue. Jesus gives us the reply from Abraham:

“‘Son,’ Abraham said, ‘remember that during your life you received your good things, just as Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here, while you are in agony. Besides all this, a great chasm has been fixed between us and you, so that those who want to pass over from here to you cannot; neither can those from there cross over to us.’ (Luke 16:25-26 CSB)

Oh, if he had only remembered during his lifetime and shown grace to the beggar, but now it was too late. The Law and the prophets made clear how God’s people should live, but this man, in all his wealth, neglected the poor and cared only for himself.

We too, have the Word of God, which tells us how to live. May we remember before it’s too late. It’s not that the rich man’s works would have saved him, but it is clear that by his actions, he revealed the kind of faith he had.

Our actions, good and bad, are remembered by others.

Paul sent a letter to the church in Corinth, and it was not an easy one for them to read. No one wants to be the messenger when the message is hard to hear, but that was the task given to Titus, as he travelled to Corinth to take the first letter written by Paul to the church. Paul acknowledges the difficulty they faced in hearing such words of rebuke and correction, but he also encourages them because of two things: they repented and were sorrowful of their bad actions, and they were still kind to Titus, despite the message he gave them.

How we respond to people God uses to deliver a message of exhortation says a lot about our spiritual maturity. Thankfully, upon hearing Titus’s report of his visit, Paul is encouraged and encourages the church. Titus remembers their obedience and shares about it with Paul.

In addition to our own comfort, we rejoiced even more over the joy Titus had, because his spirit was refreshed by all of you. For if I have made any boast to him about you, I have not been disappointed; but as I have spoken everything to you in truth, so our boasting to Titus has also turned out to be the truth. And his affection toward you is even greater as he remembers the obedience of all of you, and how you received him with fear and trembling. I rejoice that I have complete confidence in you. (2 Corinthians 7:13-16)

We must remember our pre-Christ state.

Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus is a letter for us all. Through it, we are built up and reminded of who we are in Christ Jesus. One verse that has become a favorite is found in this book.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)

Because we are saved by grace and created for the good works God has prepared in advance for us to do, we can rest in the blessing of new life in Christ. However, it is in remembering who we were before Christ that serves to increase our joy and gratefulness.

So, then, remember that at one time you were Gentiles in the flesh—called “the uncircumcised” by those called “the circumcised,” which is done in the flesh by human hands. At that time you were without Christ, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (Ephesians 2:11-13)

Living out of love for Christ comes by remembering who we were before knowing him as Lord and Savior. We were far off and without hope, but by the power of his blood, we are now brought near and live in hope and expectation of eternal life.

Remember and don’t forget your first love.

All of these reminders about where we have come from and the importance of living for Christ are part of the picture when hard times come. Suffering and trials for identifying with Christ can cause our hearts to grow cold and weaken our faith. These final two passages call us to remember and keep the fires of our love for Christ burning until the day of his return.

Remember the earlier days when, after you had been enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to taunts and afflictions, and at other times you were companions of those who were treated that way. For you sympathized with the prisoners and accepted with joy the confiscation of your possessions, because you know that you yourselves have a better and enduring possession. So don’t throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you need endurance, so that after you have done God’s will, you may receive what was promised. (Hebrews 10:32-36)

May we not throw away our confidence when times are hard. Jesus told the church in Ephesus he saw the hardships they had suffered and wanted to encourage them, but he also told them the importance of remembering not to neglect their love for him.

I know that you have persevered and endured hardships for the sake of my name, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you: You have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember then how far you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. (Revelation 2:3-5)

Lord, help us to remember who we were before we met you, the importance of living as salt and light to your glory, and holding tight to you in love and devotion. The days are growing increasingly evil. May we remember and keep our lights burning for Christ.

Grace and Peace

If you missed the last Friday Focus post, click HERE, or start from the Beginning.