How Does A Christian Fit In?

"You did  not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.  These things I command you, that you love one another.  If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.  If you were of the world, the world would love its own.  Yet because you are not  of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.  Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.'  If  they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.  If they kept My word, they will keep your also.  But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.
John 15: 16-21 NKJV

I've asked myself this question quite a few times.  Although I already know the answer, I humor myself and ask again.  How does a christian like me fit into this world we live in?  It's no secret that society has taken a turn for the worse in recent generations.  However, aren't we christians a part of this society as well?  Well, yes and no.  Yes, we who follow Christ Jesus make our home here on this earth which our Lord God created, but it is not our home.  The best way that I can explain it is that we are simply passing through.  As the Isrealites were led by God as they passed through the dessert, so also we as we pass through this life on our way to eternity with our heavenly Father.  Not everyone will be there with us, but for those who have chosen to accept Christ, this is the hope glory which the apostle Paul spoke of {Colossions 1:27}.  For those who do  not accept Christ, there is only hope of darkness.  There is no special ticket which needs be punched to gain entrance into Our Lords paradise, one need to simply Choose Jesus.  For no amount of our own physical efforts will prove ourselves worthy of a eternity with Christ {Ephesians 2: 8-9}.  It is not the strong nor rich who will have precendence in Gods kingdom, but if they choose Jesus, they will indeed join us.

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.  Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above very name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2: 5-11 NKJV

And so it is, that no matter how many of those who surround us grit their teeth at the very thought of accepting Christ Jesus, they will indeed bow their knees to Him on that day.  I don't know exactly why some accept Christ while others steadfastly deny Him, but it is not to be unexpected as scripture has assured us of those who will deny Christ.  As christians, we see these people each and every day.  They are conformed to the world, that same world in which we are merely passing through on our way to a greater eternity.  So, how is it that we, as those who have chosen Jesus, fit into this temporary world?  The very same way Gods chosen people, the Isrealites, did as they sojurned in the dessert for many years, with God as their guide.  For although they were wandering, without a homeland, God never once forgot His children.  And so it is with us, for even though we wander in a world which is not our destination, we do so in Christ Jesus our Lord.  That very same choice which we have made to follow Him is available to all.  Sadly, many will not choose Christ.

~Scott~