My fellow born-again believers, this is just a reminder of why our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, has us here. When people from another country move to America, most set out to establish a replica of their native land here. Such as Little Havana, Chinatown, etc., they establish their color, cuisine, language, and culture. This is one way to identify a foreigner in your neighborhood.

God tells us as born-again believers that as “temporary residents and foreigners,” we are to keep away from people and things that promote worldly desires that wage war against our very souls. This is how to identify a foreigner in your neighborhood.

These people and things are useless as dried-up springs or as mist blown away by the wind. They are doomed to the blackest darkness. They brag about themselves with empty, foolish boasting. With an appeal to twisted sexual desires, they lure back into sin those who have barely escaped from a lifestyle of deception.

They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption, for you are a slave to whatever controls you. When people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and then get tangled up and enslaved by sin again, they are worse off than before.

It would be better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life.

Therefore, we are to build the culture of our homeland by establishing a replica of it here on Earth, which is heaven. “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

That is why God says, “Seek ye first the kingdom of heaven and His righteousness. It is a community that lives by and follows the Holy Spirit’s lead. It is a community that is not boastful, does not challenge or envy one another.

It is a community whose discipline is love, characterized by joy, peace, patience, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. It is kind, never, prideful or boastful. It is a community that is not self-seeking or rude, nor easily angered, and does not keep a record of being wronged.

This community does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Always protect, trust, always hope, and always persevere. (1 Cor. 13:4-7)  

You were told in advance when you became a born-again believer that when Jesus left there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They follow their natural instincts because they do not have God’s Spirit in them.

But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love.

And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.

We are not here to save the world and its way of life. We are here to provide a refuge city/community for those who want to escape that world and its way of doing things. It is a community of born-again believers living a self-controlled life through the power of the Holy Spirit characterized by righteous and abundant living.

Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then, the God of peace will be with you.

Until The Whole World Knows”

Pastor Palmer