With-God Life, in Exile

Read 1st Peter 4:1-11.

As we read these verses, we’re reminded of who we are: born again, redeemed, reconciled, and sanctified by the Spirit. The new life you live is imperishable, undefiled, unfading, and personal (Read 1st Peter 1 if you need a refresher).

You live “with-God”!

You, by God’s power, are being guarded through your faith and God is progressively preparing you for the kingdom of God. Not only that, you have ceased from intentional sin to set your passions on the will of God.

We live with the end in mind, honor God, and walk as His living witness.

Live with the End in Mind

You know that the end of all things is at hand. Maranatha—the Lord is coming soon.

Our lives matter to the Lord. We are self-controlled and sober-minded as we daily fellowship with the Lord. God has gifted you to serve and be stewards of His grace until he returns. Maranatha!

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything, God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever.

1 Peter 4:10-11

God gives each of us a spiritual gift, and equipped you for His good purposes.

When we speak, it is not to offer opinions or pass personal prejudice, but to share wisdom, knowledge, and understanding gained from Scripture and actively listening to the Holy Spirit. When serving, we do with a conscious of Christ’s presence. We’re not serving as a favor to God, but as a service to Him.

Some teach and others serve, but all of us are good stewards of God’s grace.

Live to Honor God

Let God’s reputation be enhanced by you living an authentic with-God life. Your passion is to know God and make Him known.

God is honestly with us, so we open your hearts to hear and our minds to know Him personally. He counsels and watches over us so let us make Him our hiding place.

You are a hiding place for me; You preserve me from trouble. You surround me with shouts of deliverance. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you, with My eye upon you. Be not like a horse or mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay with you. Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.

Psalm 32:8-10

The Lord is our personal and ever-present Companion. He looks at our hearts, not the visible life others see. He knows all about our spiritual life. Who are we? Servants, one with God in our daily communion with Him.

God knows us intimately and directs our way. We honor Him in how we live.

We, along with everyone else (living and dead), will, at the end of time, give an account to God, who judges rightly. They will see Christ in you as you live the with-God life, in exile.

Live as Walking Witnesses

We live with the end in mind and to honor Him so that in everything, God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.

Joseph is a great example of the with-God life. The Lord was with Joseph when Potiphar’s wife tempted him. He responded, “How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” (Genesis 39:3).

Unjustly thrown into prison, Joseph continued to live the with-God life. In the stench of prison, God was still with him. But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the keeper’s sight of the prison.

Years before I learned the value of this with-God life, I thought Joseph was a unique case of the with God-life. But I’ve learned, after 50 years as a Christian, that God desires to be with us. We need only call on HIm and trust Him.

They will know us by your love for others and for the Lord.

The Lord is the same yesterday, today, and forever. We have the privilege of living this with-God life too.

Trust me, not everything will go the way you want it, but as long as we live with-God it will go according to His perfect and acceptable will. We might have a Potiphar’s wife tempting us to sin against God or live in a less than desirable situation, but God is with us and no one can take that away from us.

Call to Action

Continue to live a life—pure, honest, and honorable. Remember, you’re in exile. This is not your home. You are given a taste of that perfect place as you continue to live the “with God life”.

Pay attention to your life with-God. Are you a faithful steward of His grace? Are you living with the end in mind, honoring God, and a walking witness?

Keep steadfast and set your heart on the living God who lives with you.

To God, be the glory!