There is a great deal of popularity regarding UFO’s and “extraterrestrial” contact. This fascination can be seen in popular entertainment through books, movies, documentaries, the internet culture, etc. It should, therefore, resonate with our greater culture when I declare the certain news that there are many extraterrestrials here on earth today! These creatures do not have any physical features that would enable others to identify them as other-worldly. However, they are indeed strangers in this world.

They are also described by more familiar terms, including Christian, Believer, Saint, the Redeemed of the Lord, etc. In short, dear Christian, you are no longer of this earth, you are an extraterrestrial!

As children of light, our confession is that we are strangers on earth.

The Heroes of Faith recorded in Hebrews 11 made this powerful confession. They testified that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth (Hebrews 11:13). As strangers, we confess that we are citizens of another country. As pilgrims, we confess that we are here on a mission. Our country is the New Jerusalem and our mission is to witness to all the world that the heavenly country is for whosoever will receive redemption through the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ!

We Christians need to guard against becoming so at home in this world that we forget or devalue the fact that we are citizens of the eternal Kingdom. In that condition, we will certainly encounter serious problems in our walk with Christ. We must keep close at all times the purpose of our pilgrimage here. In this world we are to be the light of Christ and the salt of the earth.

I know it is quite often uncomfortable to bear witness of our faith in Jesus to unbelievers. We will, no doubt, sense an awkwardness when we testify that Christ is mankind’s only hope of salvation. But the Holy Spirit gives us grace to make that witness and we MUST do so. It is not only a vital message, it is an urgent charge.

We are called to rescue the perishing! Would you join me in praying for special grace to be bold witnesses for Jesus?

Prayer for the week: Dear heavenly Father, help me this day to live as a citizen of the heavenly country. May I strive by Your grace to fulfill the purpose of my pilgrimage here. Make me bold to shine for You. May my life be filled with the savor of Christ. Help me to see the divine opportunities that come my way today to tell of Your redeeming love! And help my stammering tongue to speak the precious words of the gospel of Christ. In the matchless name of Jesus, Amen!

Dan Gilmore is district superintendent of the Northern Michigan District.

Written for devotions with Holiness Today.

Please note: All facts, figures, and titles were accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of original publication but may have since changed.