“Temporary Resident”

Most of us don’t view ourselves as temporary residents, though we speak of eternity in heaven with the Lord.

Truth is, this physical place, earth is temporary. Our souls are destined for eternity in the spirit realm. We don’t always consider where at in the spiritual realm we will be. 

There are two places? One is in heaven with the Lord. And the other is hell.

It is important to understand the word of our Lord, so we don’t go to the wrong place.

Point #1 👇🏽

1 Peter 1:17 NLT

🌟And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time here as "temporary residents."

(KJV

1Pe 1:17  And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: 

Favorite:

a person or thing regarded with special favor or preference:

Impartiality:

not partial or biased; fair; just:

Respecter:

someone or something that is influenced by the social standing, importance, power, or any deterrent put forth by persons or things (used chiefly in negative constructions):

To say death is no respecter of wealth means, death comes and it is not partial to steering clear of those who are wealthy.

Death comes to the wealthy as will come to the poor.

He has no respecter of persons

Point #2 

👇🏽

1 Peter 1:17 NLT

And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. 

🌟He will judge or reward you according to what you do. 

-We tell ourselves that he will overlook our sins. 

-That they aren’t as bad as others.

-That he knows we are a good person.

✨The Lord knows all of us 

better than we know ourselves. 

One sin does not outweigh another, they are all equal. Humans place a severity tag on sins committed by other humans, but in the Lord’s eye, lying is equal to murder because sin is sin.

Point #3 

👇🏽

1 Peter 1:17 NLT

And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. 

He will judge or reward you according to what you do. 

So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time here as "temporary residents."

So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time here as "temporary residents."

In this case, it is fear our Lord, NLT version speaks of “reverent fear.”

We are to have reverence for our Lord.

It is deep respect and our fear of the Lord should be expressed with deep respect.

Reverent fear is Respect:

-esteem for or a sense of the worth or excellence of a person, a personal quality or ability, or something considered as a manifestation of a personal quality or ability

-the condition of being esteemed or honored.

-to show regard or consideration for

• esteem 

Think for a minute, if someone causes you to fear them. The last thing you are going to feel is respect. Honor, and like for them.

You are going to want to be as far from that person as possible.

The fear you have will hold feelings of resentment, anger, and threat.

To revere God is to know his abilities and respectfully fear what he can do as a sovereign God. 

You don’t want to be struck down for mockery or any offense against him because he has those ability to do that. As temporary residents we want to ensure we honor God at all times.

Temporary:

-lasting, existing, serving, or effective for a time only; not permanent:

Sojourn:

-a temporary stay

It is temporary, not permanent.

Both versions of this scripture contains a word that means, for a time only- not permanent.

This scripture lets us know that our time here is not permanent, but temporary. And while we are here, there are things we should do. 

The point:

we have been taught that once saved is always saved.

We have been taught about grace.

We are deceived in thinking that all is well with God and heaven is automatic.

We haven’t been taught about reverent fear. Therefore anything that scares us in preaching and teaching, we attack the messenger and accuse him or her of fear monger behavior.

If you ask the Lord to give you understanding of the word. Don’t shy away from it once that understanding falls in your spirit.

We tend to close the book with truth hits. We want to say we read it wrong, the Lord is not “saying” that.

If you ask, you will receive. In this case when you ask for understanding, apply time spent in his word and you will receive understanding. 

Do not sugar coat it. See it as it is… the truth.

Remember:

1 Peter 1:17 NLT

🌟And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time here as "temporary residents."

We glorify God in our body many ways, let us be mindful of how we choose to dress, our words, and behavior.

So when we read this scripture 👇🏽

For ye are bought with a price:

therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

1 Corinthians 6:20

Let us work on being in our spirit and body what the blood of Jesus paid for.

Honorable and acceptable to the Lord.

Ephesians 5:3 NLT

Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God's people.

Closing Prayer:

Father, Let us be a positive force in the lives of those we encounter, A blessing, not a hindrance. 

I pray that we continue to sincerely strive for the excellence that makes us one of your children. 

In all that we do let us not take for granted, this body we live in. Everything we do in body and spirit is a reflection in your sight.

Let us work on being in our spirit and body what the blood of Jesus paid for.

Honorable and acceptable to the Lord. In the name of Jesus. Amen.