They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world – John 17:16
Unwilling to deal with a new annoyance, Rachel makes a trip to the condo management office and finds a sign on the counter: Will return shortly. Rachel takes a seat and overhears a conversation coming from another room. “I can’t believe it’s been nearly a week without a complaint from her,” followed by “You would think as a Christian she would understand that she’s living in an imperfect world.” With a deep sigh, Rachel gets up and begins to walk out just as a staff member appears and greets, “Sorry for the wait, can I help you?” “You have. I had forgotten that I’m not in Heaven yet,” Rachel responded.
You’re a resident alien. This thought came to mind from reading Philippians 3:20, where the ESV (English Standard Version) states: “But our citizenship is in heaven.” It confirmed my conclusion after debating over a recurring issue in the neighborhood. However, if reported, it would likely prove to be a temporary remedy, which has happened in similar cases. Therefore, I must adjust how I handle current and future incidents. I need to remember that, as a resident of this world, I must live accordingly; yet I am, nevertheless, an alien, not of this world, and must keep my mind on my eternal home.
Acknowledging one’s temporary existence on this Earth doesn’t preclude taking steps when necessary; rather, it requires seeking discernment between knowing when to engage in civil proactivity and when to administer grace.