Understanding The Word

For each one of us this saying has a certain meaning when we say it, what does it mean to you?  Where is your home? Where is your heart?

Believers in Christ, find a deeper meaning in this saying than other people, because to us this meaning holds the truth of where our home is and whom our heart is with……for us, this saying is one of the most meaningful sayings that we use and believe in when we talk about the Lord.

In order to understand why we as saved believers use this saying when we talk about Heaven and Jesus I need to explain what home means…..

What is a home?

A home has many different meanings depending on the context in which you use it……it can be a physical comforting place you live; it can be a place where people care or watch over you; it can be a natural habitat or location; it can be a place where you feel like you belong; an abiding place of affections; it can mean a gathering place of loved ones; and even a device that moves and aims toward a destination with great accuracy.

The word ‘home’ has many meanings; it is what you choose to use it in context with that holds the true meaning of home to you.

What is the context you use when you say, ‘Home is where the heart is’? Do you think of your house? Your family? Or do you (like me) think of something that is not of this world, but of the one waiting? One where love abounds, where peace is found, and our King reigns.

As saved Christians it means so much more to us, but how can we describe a home we have never seen? How can we believe in a home that is far away?  We must first know where our home really is….

Is this world our home?

“For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.  For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven.” 2 Corinthians 5:1-2

When we receive Jesus Christ as our savior, the Holy Spirit indwells us and will start to change us….Our hearts do not belong to use anymore for we have given our hearts to the Lord…..and over time our hearts begin to change…..

Our views, beliefs, and mindset starts to change more and more towards the Lord, making Him an anchor in our lives…..and we start to realize, sometimes very quickly, that we no longer find this world appealing like before…..

(I must say, that sadly there are still Christians who live a worldly life, they are still saved, they just have become carnal and no longer look to the Lord or for the Lord because they have become backsliders to the wants of the this world)

While we all struggle at times being a part of this world, with the wants and cares and having material things that are fun and bring some happiness…..our hearts yearn for something more and that more is Christ Jesus….We know that He fills that void within us and so when we are overwhelmed with the Spirit…our hearts cry and yearn to be at home with the Lord.

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2

When we give over our hearts to the Lord, we start to the see things we haven’t seen before, we start to experience things differently, and while some people take longer than others, we are all changed in the most fundamental way a person can change…..

We are no longer of this world…..our home is no longer here on this earth….We belong somewhere else, a place that was prepared for us before we were even created.

Some people have always felt a little bit out of place, while others after salvation start to feel that way, and still others, push that feeling aside and continue to enjoy and love this world.

None of this changes the fact that our hearts are no longer ours, we have given our hearts to the Lord and in doing so, we have a home far away from here that our heart yearns for with each passing day.

We Do not Belong Here……

As saved believers we knew a day would come where people would hate us for the things we believe and say, and in hating us, they hate Jesus which is standing in us thru the Holy Spirit right in front of them.  The Lord told us we are not of this world because we have become His:

“If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.” John 15:19

When we look around today, do we not see a world that is dying?  Do we not see a world that is in travail? Do we not see the lost clamoring to a life of worldly things? 

Jesus came into this world in order to save us….in order to show us the truth of who He is and who we are and all He asks of us is to believe in Him……But He also warns and tells us that once we become His the world will hate us and we will go thru some trials and tribulations before He comes for us……We are not alone here…..He is always with us, in our minds, our hearts, and our spirits.  He asks us to boldly step up in this world and stand for Him and by Him, as He does for us in front of God.

“Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgement: because as he is, so are we in this world.” 1 John  4:17

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.  In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

What is to come?

Looking around today’s world, with each passing day on this earth, seeing the evilness all around us that is gaining in momentum and strength……our hearts are longing to go home…..to see Jesus, because we know that only He can bring peace to this world, and only He can save those that are lost.

We are homesick for a home in heaven we have never seen because that is where God is….

“Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rater to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.” 2 Corinthians 5:6-9

While our hearts long to be home with our Lord and Savior….we know that He has placed us here at this time for a reason, a purpose……We are to try to bring people home with us…..but we cannot if they are unwilling, and some have already made their home in Hell.

Do not despair that you do not belong here, do not despair that you may feel alone…..for even though our home is in Heaven, Jesus has made His home within us, and we are never, ever alone….

For those who are not saved where is your home? Is your heart longing for something more?  More wisdom?  More knowledge? Something you can’t name?  Maybe it’s because your heart is longing for its savior, the savior that is knocking even now on the door to your heart…..and is calling you home.

For where your heart is, is where your home is, for me, My Home is Where My Heart is and that’s with Jesus Christ.

What home is waiting for us?

Let’s take a look at some scripture from the bible regarding what home is awaiting us….Matthew 5: 3-12

“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven”

“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”

“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”

“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”

“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.”

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”

“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.  Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven:”

“To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,” 1 Peter 1:4

Our home,(as saved believers), is a place of love, comfort, peace, joy, happiness, a place that is far beyond our imagination…..a place where we can finally rest in the presence of our King and Savior forever.

I can only pray and hope this is your home as well….