Only true believers, in MASHIACH, know this truth and truly believe the following statement to be true: We live in this world ... but ... we are not of this world!!
The verdict ... We are Foreigners (4NRz)
There are some old country songs, by the late Jim Reeves, that truly attempted to articulate the situational disposition of all true Born Again Believers on this earth.
One such song was "This world is not my home" (1962) and it is considered a classic. Another song, from that album, was "Across the Bridge" (1962) and even a third song, also from the same album, was "I'll fly away" (1962).
All three of the songs talk about him returning home and leaving this world behind (it could possibly be speaking of the rapure in some form or fashion as well). There are so many other similar songs out there, by him and other old-time country artists, so if you have some free time, do check them out on YouTube.
The Scriptures state, clearly, that we, who believe and follow MASHIACH, are not of this world anymore. YAHAWAHSHAH Ha'MASHIACH said so too.
Even Peter points out, in the ninth verse of the 2nd chapter of his 1st book that we are a Chosen Generation, a Royal Priesthood, a Holy Nation and a Peculiar People that have been called out of darkness into His Marvelous Light.
For our citizenship is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Adonai YAHAWAHSHAH Ha'MASHIACH ... PHILIPPIYM (PHILIPPIANS) 3:20
Consider this ...
YAHAWAHSHAH Ha'MASHIACH said in John 14 vs 6:
I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life; nobody comes onto ABBA, but through Me ...
A lesson:
I AM the Way ... walk by me, walk with me, walk in me (my ways) = He is the Way to ABBA
I AM the Truth ... profess me, declare me, bear witness of me = He is the Truth of ABBA
I AM the Life ... live in me, live like me, live for me = He is the Life from ABBA
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MASHIACH also said:
I am the Vine, ye are Ha'Netseriym (The Branches); He that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
... John 15 vs 5 [5 - 8] (Netseriym/Branches)*
*Natsarim/Netseriym ... The true believers and truly elect followers of the Way of YAHAWAH
See Philippians 3 vs 3 for the definition of Natsarim/Netseriym or a true born again believer or the "Christian" (as the true and original Christian was meant to be).
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The aforementioned lesson, when understood and followed, becomes the true path for the citizen of Heaven on this earth ... it is their way of life in the world.
We are the called!!!
We are the redeemed!!!
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Our Reality:
We dwell in this world ... on this earth with everyone else ... wheat and tares alike but though we are here, we must remember that we are from a different Kingdom. Hence we are not to conform to the ways of this world just as we are told in Romans 12 vs 2 - 3
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Our Truth:
We are from the Kingdom of Heaven and for this reason the world hates us just as our MASHIACH was hated. Infact, according to John 17 vs 14, we are told that we are not of the world and it is repeated in John 17 vs 16 again by MASHIACH that we are not of the worldeven as He is not of the world. Also in the previous scripture, John 17 vs 14, we are told that we are hated by the world. Even John 16 vs 33 tells us to expect tribulation but we are being told this so that we may have peace and be of good cheer because MASHIACH has already overcome the world.
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They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. ... YOCHANON (JOHN) 17:16
MASHIACH then says in John 17 vs 17 to ABBA YAHAWAH above "Sanctify them through your Truth: your Word is Truth." Always remember that MASHIACH is the Living Word of ABBA YAHAWAH ... His Yachid (Only Begotten Son). Also remember that according to John 14 vs 6, MASHIACH is the Truth so believe the scriptures when we are informed in John 8 vs 32 that "you shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make you free" because per John 8 vs 36 "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."
Always seek the truth ... seek MASHIACH.
A picture to ponder about one seeking ABBA's Truth can be found in these scriptures:
Job 28 vs 1 - 12 ... the process of a miner
Proverbs 25 vs 2 ... search it out
Isaiah 55 vs 6 says "Seek ABBA YAHAWAH while he may be found, call ye upon Him while he is near" and these words, truly, are wise words.
Also read John 16 vs 13
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The great commission from MASHIACH to His Apostles, found in Matthew 28 vs 19 - 20 is also His command to us as Foreigners to this world.
There are some other verses that point out that we are not of this world ...
1 John 1 2 3 4 5
2 Corinthians 6 vs 17
Philippians 3 vs 20 - 21
James 4 vs 4
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So do not be conformed to this world ... renew your mind.
Be vigilant daily and constantly cautious fellow sojourners!!
Make the following a personal motto:
But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified ... QORINTIYM RI'SHON (1 CORINTHIANS) 9:27
Examine yourself ...
2 Corinthians 13 vs 5 ... add 1 Corinthians 11 vs 31 and 1 Corinthians 11 vs 28
We are Natsariym. We follow the Way of YAHAWAH ... we obediently follow MASHIACH, the Way, because we are Foreigners (4NRz).
Indeed, the Way of YAHAWAH is not an easy road to traverse through life as Foreigners, in this world, as we walk the narrow path via the strait gate but Matthew 24 vs 13 says "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." Do remember that if we suffer, we shall also reign with MASHIACH according to 2 Timothy 2 vs 12 and because we will reign with MASHIACH scripture asks us, in 1 Corinthians 6 vs 3, this question:
Know ye not that we shall judge angels?
So ... Yes!! We obediently follow the Way of YAHAWAH.
Scripture says we shall show forth the praises of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. The reason ... for we are a chosen generation. We are a Royal priesthood. We are a Holy Nation. We are a peculiar people (1 Peter 2 vs 9). We are not of this world ...
We are Foreigners
We are 4NRz
Shalom!
P.S.
Beloved I leave you with this:
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things
... Philippians 4 vs 8
Truly we are Foreigners