…To those chosen, living as exiles… (1 Peter 1:1 CSB)

My family and I are at Dallas, TX for the Southern Baptist Convention. Among the many things that you experience here, one is seeing old friends and meeting new ones. (Most) everyone has on name badges specifying the obvious, their names, but also the state they are from. Of course, ours says Kentucky. I bet I’ve been asked around 5 times, “where are you from?” What the questioner is really asking is, “What part of Kentucky are you from?” I’ve discovered by now that whether I answer “Beulah” or “Fancy Farm,” it doesn’t really matter…I get the confused face of, “Never heard of it” or “Don’t know where that is.” The way I really interpret that is, “Where on earth is THAT?” I understand, and also realize it could be a lot more interesting if I said Beaver Dam, Possum Trot, or Monkey’s Eyebrow! The folks from home get it! This all got me thinking about where I’m really from, and as referenced in the Scripture above, I’m really not from Fancy Farm, Cunningham, or Beulah…I’m not from here at all. In fact, as a Christian, one who has born again from above, I am an exile on this planet. Wow and amen!

I’m not sure where you would say you’re from. Maybe you’d say Mayfield. Maybe you’d say Dublin. Maybe you’d say Cunningham. Peter helps his readers understand the covenant of grace and the benefits that are included for those whom have accepted Christ by faith–chosen by Him. For the exiles that were dispersed abroad reading his epistle, it wasn’t all about where they were from…but where they were headed. He specifies in 1 Peter 1:3 those of the “new birth.” In verse 4 he uses this language– “inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.” See it? Through all the tribulations, trials, and troubles, those exiles knew that one glorious day at the appearing of Jesus Christ, they’d be home! That’s what their new birth certificate specifies regarding “where they’re from.”

Have you accepted Christ as your Savior? If not, I plead you examine your heart, repent of your sin, and call upon the name of the Lord Jesus and be saved. You’ll have a destination then–Heaven.