Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore, let us go forth to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. For we have no continuing city here, but we seek one to come.
Select a thought to read by choosing a collection, the month, and then the day:
“Oh, that I had wings like a dove! For then I could fly away and be at rest. I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.”
Psalm 55:6, 8
I think that if, after Jesus comes, there is to be sin in heaven as there is on this earth, I would rather go somewhere else. I want to live in a place where there is no sin. That is the salvation I am looking for, and that is the salvation God has promised us: “For evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait upon the LORD shall inherit the earth. Yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be; yea, you shall diligently consider his place, and it shall not be” (Ps. 37:9-10).
This world, especially this decadent American culture, bombards us daily with moral filth. God’s children are surrounded by wickedness. They are like Lot in the city of Sodom, whose soul was “vexed day by day with the filthy conduct of the wicked.” We can hardly get away from loud, arrogant sinners or protect our children from public images of moral perverseness. It is on billboards along the highways. It is in newspapers. It is promoted by teachers in public schools. It is on television and radio. Even when you try to pick relatively decent television programs to watch, the networks ambush us and our children with advertisements for filthy programs to be broadcast later. David’s song often comes to mind: “Oh, that I had wings like a dove . . . ”.
Peter told us that Jesus has prepared for his faithful servants a new earth “wherein dwelleth righteousness” (2Pet. 3:13). If Jesus judges me worthy to receive a place on that new earth, I will see no more sin. And when we see no more sin, we may safely consider ourselves to be saved.