Hebrews 13:13,14
Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.
When I think of a city the image is of a place bustling with activity, commerce, eateries and shops. It’s the center of action. It’s the origin of the worldly system; where it’s values emanate from. They are not God’s values. I think of Moses in Hebrews 11: 26, “He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.” While the city contains much that is value neutral, there is an evil there that is contrary to Christ. It’s like the parable that Jesus told of the two masters, we can’t serve both, Matt 6:24. This is referring to the spiritual, not the geographic. It isn’t saying we can’t live in a city. It’s speaking of the heart. What do we crave? Is it the respect of others or can we yield the spotlight. Do we want things or can we temper these under obediance to Christ. We all have appetites, but can we allow them to be subserviant? The city is referring to a “me centered” life; indulgance. Some have said, “I want what I want, when I want it.” This is not God’s way. When we come to Christ, we bow to His lordship. This doesn’t mean we can’t have good stuff or that we must avoid enjoying ourselves. It means it’s tempered. We follow the clear commands of scripture and yeild to the Spirit in our inner nudgings when it comes to the gray areas. Oddly enough true joy comes when we aren’t bound by things. Indulgance brings misery. The world and those that serve it do not understand. They often mock. Watch tv or go to the movies and the ridiculing of those of faith is a common theme. This is difficult. We ought not get bitter. Pray for them. We are to go outside the camp, bearing the disgrace He bore. Don’t worry about the judgement of others. God will help. He is the one whose pleasure we seek. Just as one may scan a cheering crowd to see the approval of His loved ones, so we need to learn not let the worlds attitudes sway us. We are seeking the approval and nod of our savior. Lord, may we be proud to be your citizens.