Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 NIV)
Where are you choosing to call home? What is home anyway? When I think of home I think of a comfortable place of shelter that has some permanence to it. I’m blessed that I share a home with someone, but it is certainly possible to live alone and still have a place called home. For me the ideas of comfort and security are important.
We have two houses. While I can consider myself “at home” in either, there is no question that our house in the city is the one I primarily think of as home. The reason is that this is where the most comfortable bed is. We’re in the middle of a massive repair/remodel and the arrangement of the house doesn’t look very homey right now, but it is still home to me.
I’m very grateful to have a home and to have someone to share it with. I find it interesting that we often refer to Jesus as homeless. I know what we’re trying to communicate but think we ought to change the terms we use. Jesus was not homeless. Even while he was on earth he still had the most magnificent home in all the universe in heaven with his Father. He was not homeless. He was just away from home for a long while and very anxious to return.
The Corinthians were apparently making their home in and with the world. They were failing to leave behind attitudes and behaviors that made it impossible for God to come and live in their home. Paul’s words are strong and direct. Do not partner with the world, come out from them, be separate, purify yourselves, and perfect holiness. Are we more comfortable being at home with God or being at home with the world? Are we so anxious for our new home in heaven that we want our earthly home to be as much like that as possible? I hope so.
To my grandchildren:
I always want you to see being at home with God in heaven as your real home, wherever you are and whatever you’re doing.
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