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God’s Temple

31 Mar
God’s Temple

We’re continuing through the epistle of 1 Peter. In my last post, I talked about how together, we’re being built up into a building for God to inhabit.

…you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”

1 Peter 2:5-6 NIV

But just building the house is not enough. This house must have a purpose – it’s a temple to the living God. We’re to offer sacrifices in the temple of God.

We’re actually called to minister in God’s house. We’re a priesthood set apart to God. Our job is to offer spiritual sacrifices. What exactly are these sacrifices? Paul explained this to us.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.

Romans 12:1 NIV

It’s clear from this verse that we’re to offer up our lives – that is the sacrifice the Lord is looking for. This sacrifice is anything that reminds us that we’re not our own. We belong to the Lord Jesus Christ.

This can even include the offerings we bring to the Lord for His work.

I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.

Philippians 4:18 NIV

When we praise the Lord in spite of our circumstances, that’s an acceptable sacrifice as well.

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Hebrews 13:15-16 NIV

This verse also shows us the importance of blessing others. God sees that as a sacrifice before Him. That’s because all of these things are an expression of our faith in Him.

But there’s another side to this.

Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, “The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone,” and, “A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.”

1 Peter 2:7-8 NIV

We show that we value the Lord as we walk in faith before Him. But what if I don’t want to? This is talking about willful disobedience.

If reject faith in Christ, that doesn’t change who He is – He’s still the Chief Cornerstone. But, instead of being that which keeps you straight and aligned with His will, He becomes a stone of stumbling to you. That literally means that you keep stubbing your toes on Him.

It also says that He’s a rock that makes you fall into a trap. When you know what God says, and live differently, you stumble into a trap with your eyes open.

Given the two choices, I would personally prefer the Cornerstone. We must allow the Holy Spirit to do His work in us. In that way we become lined up with the will of God.

Question: How well are you walking in God’s will for your life?

© 2025 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on March 31, 2025 in Ministry, Revival, Spiritual Walk, The Church, Worship

 

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Building a Spiritual House

28 Mar
Building a Spiritual House

As we continue through Peter’s first letter, he’s been talking about growing up into maturity. Now he’s going to change the description to that of a building being built.

As you come to him, the living Stone – rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him…

1 Peter 2:4 NIV

In talking about God’s spiritual building, we’re told that Jesus Christ is the Chief Cornerstone. The cornerstone has to be perfectly square. The rest of the house is straight because of this stone.

Peter tells us that Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of the church because He is select and valuable. The whole building, all of us, must look to Him for direction.

Paul talks about this building. He says that we are…

…built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Ephesians 2:20-22 NIV

Jesus Christ is the Word made flesh. He is the chief cornerstone. With Him the Old Testament Prophets and the New Testament Apostles form the two sides of the foundation.

The good news is that we also have a part in this structure. How does this work? The above verse from 1 Peter tells us that we come toward Him – THE Living Stone.

He was rejected by mankind but accepted, selected, by God. That makes Him precious, valuable to God the Father.

If we are truly trusting in Him, then we value the Lord as well. That’s why we come toward Him. Our desire is to line ourselves up with His will.

That’s the key to a successful Christian walk. We must value the spiritual house God is building. So I have to ask; is God’s work valuable to you? Is it worth something?

We usually stumble over the question of worth. There is an internal battle between our desire for personal pleasure vs. the worth of serving God. If I value Christ – I come toward Him, lining myself up with His will.

…you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:5 NIV

As we work together for the Lord, we’re becoming a spiritual house. We’re a part of the structure of His house.

One thing we have to remember is that God is constructing the house. Jesus said that…

“…I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

Matthew 16:18b NIV

However, He builds it through us. We have to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. The Word of grace, love, prophecy, and encouragement are all things that build the church. We have to line ourselves up according to God’s plan.

Along with that, we must help others to line themselves up with Christ. We need to show a care one toward another. In this way we proclaim the Gospel of Christ to the world around us.

Question: How well do you see the people of God as a spiritual house?

© 2025 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on March 28, 2025 in Faith, Ministry, Revival, Spiritual Walk, The Church

 

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Spiritual Milk

26 Mar
Spiritual Milk

We’ve been studying through the book of 1 Peter. We’re now in the second chapter. We last looked at verses 2-3.

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

1 Peter 2:2-3 NIV

I’ve been talking about what a spiritual baby is as well as the spiritual milk that they need to grow to maturity. We last looked at what the writer of Hebrews had to say about this level of growth.

He made it clear that spiritual infants are ignorant of the Word of righteousness. He continues with that thought.

Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so.

Hebrews 6:1-3 NIV

While the Apostle Peter simply says that the baby needs spiritual milk, the writer of Hebrews describes it for us. This list of teachings is what spiritual milk is all about.

But that should get us thinking. How often are new believers put through a course of study on these topics? Maybe that’s why there’s such an epidemic of immature Christians in the body of Christ in our generation.

The first thing he says young believers need to understand is repentance. This is the act of totally turning around, away from dead works. They need to stop focusing on their old way of living.

Then, they must have faith toward God. It’s a whole change of worldview. You cannot say you trust God while chasing the world.

Then they must learn about the different baptisms available to them; both in water and in the spirit. They need to learn about the truth of the laying on of hands. That’s where the power of God is transferred, one to another.

All of these things must be taught so the new believer can learn responsibility in the family of God. In that way they can discover their purpose in the body of Christ. Mature Christians understand purpose and responsibility.

It’s like what you see if a toddler is playing with a broom. You may tell them, “That’s not a toy.” But they won’t understand.

The child sees a broom as something to play with – for their own pleasure. An adult sees it with purpose – the broom is something to make the house cleaner for their family.

That’s the different perceptions between immature and mature believers. Are the things of God for my pleasure or to build up the body of Christ.

Mature Christians understand the eternal effects of what they do. Spiritual babies only know what they want right now.

The fact is that there are rewards to maturity. Knowing this should spur us on to keep growing in the Lord. In the above verse, Peter says that you crave growth now that you’ve tasted that God is good.

We should want to grow up. With that comes responsibility, rewards, good times, and challenges. There are struggles and victories. So, as Peter, Paul, and Hebrews all agree to exhort us – GROW UP!

Question: What are some things you’ve experienced that point to your spiritual growth?

© 2025 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on March 26, 2025 in Leadership, Ministry, Revival, Spiritual Walk

 

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Holiness Develops Love

17 Mar
Holiness Develops Love

We’re continuing our walk through Peter’s first letter to the church. He’s been talking about holiness and the fear of the Lord. Now the apostle goes a little deeper.

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.

1 Peter 1:22 NIV

Peter is desiring for us to develop love for one another. This is an important teaching for us to hear. That’s because this generation has a notable lack of love. We’ve become very self-centered.

Love is the choice to put others first. It includes the choice to truly fellowship. I’m not talking about simply meeting together for church.

We’re talking about the true love that Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 13. It’s the choice to participate positively in the lives of others.

The key to producing this true love is right here in these verses. If you look closely, before he ever deals with love Peter says, “Now that you have purified your soul in obeying the truth through the spirit…”

That’s the foundation of the love we share as believers. It’s the goal of purifying ourselves. It means we desire to be made holy, set apart to the Lord for His use.

Here is the key. The foundation of true love is holiness.

Remember what Jesus said when He was asked what was the greatest commandment.

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Matthew 22:37-39 NIV

The first step is loving God which leads to holiness. So, if you truly loved yourself you would walk in God’s way. That leads to the ability to love others

Peter had to enlarge this in his second letter.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.

2 Peter 1:5-7 NIV

Notice that verse 5 & 6 get you to godliness (holiness). Then it takes godliness in order to step over into brotherly love. This is the first love in 1 Peter 1:22. He calls it a sincere love for your brothers. That’s literally an unpretended brotherly love.

Please understand that brotherly love is the emotion of liking someone as a friend. Until you develop godliness, you must pretend to like others. Believe it or not, we must pretend to love until godliness is developed.

The problem in the church is that we don’t even pretend to like one another. But isn’t that hypocrisy? No – it’s obedience! That’s because we’re headed toward agape-love, which is choosing to love even when you don’t feel like it.

That’s what Peter is saying here. Now that you’ve developed godliness, you don’t have to pretend anymore.

“I don’t like these people.”

Well, that means you still need to mature some more. That’s because mature holiness causes you to like others. I’ve made the choice to love; then God starts to change my heart. I start to become like Him.

Question: How have you seen this love developing in your life?

© 2025 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on March 17, 2025 in Fellowship, Ministry, Relationships, Revival, Spiritual Walk

 

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Set Free

14 Mar
Set Free

I’m currently in a series of posts about 1 Peter. He has shown us not only that God wants us to walk in holiness, but how to accomplish this. Now he goes on to show why this is way we’re to live.

For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

1 Peter 1:18-19 NIV

The incredible truth is that we have been redeemed. That’s a big word. We need to understand all that his encompasses.

Normally, when you see the word redeemed in Scripture it means to buy back or purchase something. That’s not the case here. The word that Peter uses means to loosen or set free.

What has the Lord loosened us from? It was from the empty behavior that we inherited. It’s all the emotional and lifestyle baggage we grew up with. It’s the ongoing behavior we acted out with nothing to show for it in the end.

But, according to the apostle, the valuable blood of Jesus Christ rescued us from all of that. We no longer have to live a life that amounts to nothing in the end.

He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

1 Peter 1:20-21 NIV

We need to see that nothing takes God by surprise. God knew what was to happen even before the world was created. He didn’t have to call an emergency meeting with the Holy Spirit.

“Oh No! What are we going to do? They just killed the Messiah.”

Absolutely not! God had the plan for our redemption already in place before the world was formed.

This verse goes on to say that now, in these last days, this plan is made manifest – is revealed – in us. It’s our job to reveal Christ to the world. We are God’s voice, declaring His restoring power to all those around us.

Now, because of what God did in Christ, our faith and our expectation can firmly be focused on God. This is the foundation for the walk of holiness.

So that brings up some important questions we need to be asking. Is my faith focused on God’s Word and plan for my life? Do I truly expect what God says the results should be as He responds to my faith?

As we spend time in the Scripture and in relationship with the Holy Spirit, our faith and expectation toward the Lord should be growing. That’s the maturing process. It’s how I continue to grow in the body of Christ.

Only then can I lead others to experience the same walk of holiness and righteousness. I can’t simply teach it. I must exemplify it by walking it out in front of younger believers.

This is where the Lord is desiring to bring us all up to.

Question: How well are you growing and maturing in your walk with the Lord?

© 2025 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on March 14, 2025 in Faith, Ministry, Power of God, Revival, Spiritual Walk, The Gospel

 

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The Path to Holiness

05 Mar
The Path to Holiness

As we’ve been going through Peter’s first letter, we see a clear path that leads us to the walk of holiness. He has taken us step by step through the process. It’s what I’ve talked about for the last few posts.

First, we needed start the renewal of our minds by the Word of God. Then, we must become spiritually sober. After that, we can take up an eternal perspective.

At this point we’re beginning to hear from the Holy Spirit. Now, the final piece is to do what we’re hearing from the Lord.

As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.

1 Peter 1:14 NIV

We need to understand that this word, obedient, literally means to hear attentively. So Peter is addressing people who want to see God at work in their lives. They are closely listening for the Lord’s instructions to them.

Also, don’t forget that he calls them children who hear attentively. At this stage in their spiritual development, they’re not quite mature yet. But they’re headed in the right direction.

Peter now gives an exhortation to those who want to grow spiritually. If you’re trying to hear and obey God’s voice, then you must stop conforming to your old lifestyle.

The word picture speaks of external conditions. It’s like the apostle is telling us to stop wearing the uniform of our old life before Christ. We need to stop running after the things we used to long for when we didn’t know what we know now. Basically, we must walk in what we know.

In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul talks about the world. How they’re operating in ignorance. They don’t understand that their longing will never be fulfilled.

The more they run after these things, the less they’re satisfied. That’s the effect of pursuing the temporary.

You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.

Ephesians 4:20-21 NIV

We don’t serve Christ like the world lives. Paul says the same as Peter. The truth of God’s Word is the foundation.

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Ephesians 4:22-24 NIV

First we have to be taught by the Word. Then we can put off the old self. We can stop conforming to the old lifestyle.

He also tells us to renew our minds. That includes beginning to look to the eternal things and spiritual issues.

Then we can walk in the new self. That’s what will lead us to true holiness and righteousness. Which also means we are now acceptable for his service.

That’s the difference between simply being called versus being chosen for the Lord’s work.

Our goal is to be holy. It must be done the Lord’s way. Setting ourselves apart for His use. He’s done His part – it’s time for us to do ours.

Question: How far along the path to holiness do you see yourself?

© 2025 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on March 5, 2025 in Anointing, Leadership, Ministry, Revival, Spiritual Walk, Word of God

 

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A Future Perspective

03 Mar
A Future Perspective

As we go through the book of 1 Peter, we’re now at verse 13. There are a few good points here, so I have taken the last couple of posts to talk about them. Today’s post will tackle the final one from this verse.

Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

1 Peter 1:13 NIV

The third section of this verse tells us to expect the grace of His return. That tells me that we need a future oriented mindset. We must learn to look to the eternal.

This means that we must stop seeing only the temporary – the things which are passing away. We can’t be distracted by the situations that come and go. Our focus has to be on what will be important 1,000,000 years from today.

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

Colossians 3:1-3 NIV

Because we died with Christ, we’ve also been raised with Him. That’s the basis of an overcoming life. Sin doesn’t have the hold on us that it used to have.

We now have a higher calling. We kill off the desires of the world in order to seek the eternal.

That’s where we need to focus our attention. Paul says this in two ways. He tells us, set your hearts and set your minds on things above. Those phrases literally mean to diligently seek and obsess on things above, respectively. Our attitude should reflect an upward vision.

This is a very important truth. We receive from God when we seek the eternal. The writer of the book of Hebrews understood this.

People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.

Hebrews 11:14-15 NIV

Eternally minded people search for, crave, demand a hometown. That’s why Jesus told us to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. We’re not looking for the temporary high that the world offers us.

Instead, they were longing for a better country – a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Hebrews 11:16 NIV

The final result of this attitude is that God is not ashamed to be called their God. That’s interesting. Are there times when God is ashamed to be called someone’s God? I think this verse implies that He could be.

Before we pick up this eternally minded attitude, we’re only accomplishing what a man can do. Is God satisfied with what is merely possible even without His help? Of course not. He expects us to do a God sized work.

When that happens; the world can see His glory. God’s people need to stop chasing the temporary pleasures of the world and focus in on the eternal glory of God. Let Him accomplish what He desires in you.

Question: How do you stay eternally focused?

© 2025 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on March 3, 2025 in Ministry, Power of God, Return of Christ, Spiritual Walk

 

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Spiritually Sober

28 Feb
Spiritually Sober

We’re continuing our walk through Peter’s first epistle. He’s speaking about holiness, being set apart to God. In my last post, I talked about preparing your mind with the Word of God.

Now we’ll continue through verse 13.

Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

1 Peter 1:13 NIV

The next thing the apostle tells us is to be self-controlled. The Greek word he uses means to be sober – not drunk.

Upon hearing that you might think, “Well, I’m okay, I don’t drink.” But that’s not exactly what he’s talking about here. He’s warning us against the dangers of being intoxicated with the world or the world’s way of doing things.

Think about that word – intoxication. It has within it the word toxic. Something toxic is poison. Have you allowed the poison of the world to enter your spiritual life?

Moses dealt with that issue when teaching the children of Israel.

Make sure there is no man or woman, clan or tribe among you today whose heart turns away from the LORD our God to go and worship the gods of those nations; make sure there is no root among you that produces such bitter poison.

Deuteronomy 29:18 NIV

We need to learn to keep ourselves free from the poison of the world. We can’t be running after the same things that those in the world are chasing. The fact is that those without Christ are running after false gods.

Some are seeking pleasure, education, money or athletic achievement. But all these things only bring temporary happiness. True fulfillment is found only in the Lord.

Jesus warned His disciples about this. It’s something that we really need to take to heart. Especially since we’re living in the last days.

“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap.”

Luke 21:34 NIV

There are actually two words in this verse that deal with drunkenness. The first is dissipation. The Greek word literally means tossing-head. It was the common term used for a hangover. We associate this term with drinking, but Jesus wasn’t limiting it to the use of alcohol.

Whenever we leave our calling to chase after the world, there’s a wasted period of time while we get back on track again. This is the period of our spiritual “hangover”. Too many Christians are living most of their lives in dissipation.

They’re either giving in to the desire for the things of the world or they’re trying to regain what they’ve lost. Don’t waste most of your life in dissipation.

Drunkenness, then, is the actual pursuit of worldly pleasures. You can become intoxicated on more that just alcohol. As I’ve talked about previously, power, money, sports, and a host of other distractions can rob you of your effectiveness in Christ.

Does that mean that all these things are sin? Absolutely not! But if you find yourself more involved in these temporary things than in your walk with God, then your priorities are messed up.

Jesus tells us that because of our knowledge of future events, our lives should be different from the world. We have a mission before us that’s time sensitive. Those things that hinder us from effectively preaching the Gospel of Christ must be put away.

Question: Do you periodically check yourself to see if you’re being enticed by the world?

© 2025 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on February 28, 2025 in Leadership, Ministry, Revival, Spiritual Walk

 

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Chosen for a Purpose

12 Feb
Chosen for a Purpose

We’re now studying the book of 1 Peter. For the last couple of posts I’ve been talking about Peter’s opening remarks. They are very eye-opening.

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

1 Peter 1:1-2 NIV

I’ve talked about the fact that he is writing to the elect; aliens, scattered throughout the world. Today I want to emphasize that we are chosen. That word chosen means selected, hand-picked, or favorite.

Why has God chosen us? The answer is simply because we responded to His call.

“For many are invited, but few are chosen.”

Matthew 22:14 NIV

We are all invited – called – but chosen means that you responded and put yourself in the position of being selected. I talked about that in my first post of this series. Now we’ll take it a step further.

The Apostle Peter described this truth in the verse we looked at above. He said that we were chosen according to the foreknowledge of the Father. Then we were sanctified by the working of the Holy Spirit in us.

That, in and of itself, is great news. But he didn’t stop there. He had to put in that tough little word – “for”. That changes everything. That means that there was a reason for all that He did. It can be summed up in one word – purpose.

It turns out that we are strangers, scattered and chosen for a purpose. What is that purpose? According to Peter, the purpose is obedience to Christ.

That word obedience literally means to hear under. You could also call it attentive listening. If I’m an alien, then I must listen to MY King. Being scattered in the world I have to listen for the Lord’s special instructions for me.

If I’m chosen, then I need to listen to the one who chose me. We must listen carefully and follow His instructions. If we don’t, then things will start to go wrong.

The problem is that listening requires time in the Lord’s presence. We live in a fast paced world. We look for the quick fixes. How can I get it done immediately?

The truth is that there’s no technology that can speed up the development of relationship. The only way is by spending time. Whether it’s with another human, or the Holy Spirit, I have to take the time necessary to get to know them. This fact will never change.

I am a stranger, an alien, to this world. I am scattered to be salt. I am chosen by God to obey Him. Therefore, I must listen attentively.

We need these attitudes if we’re going to be effective for Christ. Only then will we see a difference in the world around us. The world is desperately waiting for a church that knows who they are in Christ.

Question: How have you made a difference for Christ in the lives of those around you?

© 2025 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on February 12, 2025 in Leadership, Ministry, Spiritual Walk

 

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Resident Aliens

07 Feb
Resident Aliens

In my last post I started a new series in 1 Peter. We are now continuing through this book.

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
1 Peter 1:1-2 NIV

Peter wrote to the churches that he was in relationship with. His desire was that they experience God’s grace and peace in abundance. As I said in my last post, the desire of the Holy Spirit was to use these writings to raise up godly leadership in the church.

The question is; how do we walk in this? In this verse Peter shows us the foundation. It’s how we view our walk with God. The first thing he mentions is that we are strangers in this world. The word strangers literally means aliens alongside, resident foreigners. There’s a verse in the book of Hebrews that said almost the same thing.

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.
Hebrews 11:13 NIV

These saints confessed that they were aliens in this world. We need to pick up this same mindset. I do not belong to this world. I live by a different set of rules. I live on a different level.

You may not know this about me, but I’m a Sci-Fi geek. I love TV shows and movies with a Science Fiction theme. One of the major types of shows revolves around aliens.

There are two kinds. The first involves aliens that try to take over by force. That’s not what I’m talking about. The second is the group of aliens that infiltrate society and look just like the humans around them. They hold down a job, go to school, and act like all the humans they come in contact with.

But there’s more to their story. They have a different agenda. They have a goal that’s bigger than society around them. Their goals were set by a government that’s not of our world. Why am I talking about all this Science Fiction stuff?

The answer is simple. As Christians we’re supposed to be living it. We belong to a government – a kingdom – that’s not a part of this world. We have an agenda that’s so much bigger than just getting the highest paying job that we can. It’s more than getting degrees and fame.

We’re to be preparing society for the biggest takeover that could ever be imagined. Jesus Christ is returning to establish His kingdom. It’s up to us to get everything ready for that day.

Our priorities should be different than the rest of the world. Who’s in power, the economy, the weather; all these things interest me and I need to understand them, but they don’t determine what I do. It’s the Holy Spirit that I ultimately answer to.

You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
James 4:4 NIV

Scripture makes it clear that our loyalties are above. We are to live as aliens and strangers to this world system. Only then will we see the grace and peace of God working abundantly in our lives.

Question: In what ways have you experienced an “alien lifestyle”?

© 2025 Nick Zaccardi

 
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Posted by on February 7, 2025 in Leadership, Ministry, Spiritual Walk

 

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