The scripture depicts the believer as a stranger in a pilgrim journey to his own country of origin — heaven. While in his country of sojourn (earth) he is to be careful and circumspect in his ways and doings, lest he corrupt and mar his home going by the corruptions and defilements of the country of his sojourner or temporal resident. 1 Chronicles 29: 15. Psalms 39: 12. The scripture warns us against delusional thoughts of heaven in a worldly conformity, deprave and negative life styles. We cannot enjoy the pleasure of sin and of the flesh in hope and gain of eternal life – God forbid. We cannot walk after the ways of our eyes, do all things whatsoever is right in our eyes against the light of the scriptures and expects a heroic reception at death into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord – that can’t be. Hebrews 11: 24 – 27. Deuteronomy 12: 8 – 9.
In these few years with God in the ministry, the Lord has taken me to many countries to witness of the grace of the gospel of Christ. As it is required in every country, there is a need for guide or a guide to go to other cities, villages and interior places to witness to the villagers. The brethren provided human guide from the churches to accompany me from straying. Even in most cities where tourism is an attractive business, there are guides to protect and direct visitors to attractive and interesting places for a memorable and not regrettable visit.
 
As believers in Christ Jesus, we are strangers in an unknown world of wickedness, gross iniquities, deceit and darkness. We do not know as we ought to know the best way to walk safely and not fall into the pit and snare of the wicked in an unstable society declining daily in moral standard with little or no spiritual sight for safety and protection. Sometimes, we think the best way is to join them if we can’t beat them, as we try compromises the standard of the written word of God in order to make ourselves comfortable among them, to show that we are like them and are up to the styles and standard of the century and to let them know that we care and love them under any circumstances.
 
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light to my path. Psalms 119:105.
 
There is no sure and unfailing guide in this world of darkness to lead and bring us home (heaven) apart from the written word of God. It is for our wisdom, learning and comfort in this strange and dark world of iniquity – to guide our feet in the way of righteousness and the will of God. As the whole world is in darkness, the children of this world love it so. There is no other way to live differently in the darkness of it if we do not have the light of life – the light that shines every man that comes into the world in the word that became flesh, which dwells among us…
 
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path……if we are not to stumble and go astray in the wilderness of life and sin in the world, we must live ‘’it is written’’ lifestyles in all our ways. This is the only way to overcome all the evil extractives of Satan and the craftiness of the rulers of the darkness of this world to have us under their influence and kingdom. …order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. Psalms 119: 133.
 
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path…..there is a battle of souls to be won into the kingdom of God or into the kingdom of darkness. The subject of either of these kingdoms is determined by the individual’s choice and willingness to hearken to the voice of God’s word as his guide and constitutions: or to the dictates of the world, ideas and philosophies of men which are nothing in its changing systems and values….therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to right; and I hate every false way. Psalms 119: 128.
 
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path……You shouldn’t expect truth from the ruler and father of lies –Satan. His children and subjects speak of their own language (lies and falsehood) and never the truth. With the light comes the truth as you have strong spiritual visibility to see where you are placing your feet and the destiny you are going – heaven. Do not settle for less, but determine to let the word of God be the rules and the standard by which you are living your life for the answer of a good life well spent in the sight of God in the light of his word – the bible.
The pilgrims might be coming from different languages, nations, color and people: but they all have the common kingdom map (our bible or the word of God. Psalms 119:19.) it is the light to their paths and lamp to their feet from wrong steps and false ways. They are strangers indeed because their laws (laws of God) are divers from all people; and they shall refuse to keep any of the earthly king’s law which is opposed to the law of their great King. Esther 3:8. We must live now for heaven if we have the true hope of sharing and partaking in the future glory which shall be revealed in Christ and in us before him at his appearing and kingdom: and not be put to shame by the Lord himself whom we presently professed as Lord in hypocrisy and divided heart and unfocused attention. Faith is NOW or never. Our inheritance in heaven is incorruptible; therefore, we must pass or live the time of our sojourner here in reverential walk of holiness and service to God.As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: but as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judges according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear. 1 Peter 1:14-17.
We cannot sow corruption now and hope to reap incorruption in the world to come. We cannot sow to the flesh now and hope to reap the harvest of the spirit aftermath. If we live for and suffer with Christ now, we shall reign with him aftermath – our Jonathan cannot be presently reign with Saul and hope to be second in command or in position to David in his coronation and future kingdom. God forbid, such is the faith of demons – they also believe and tremble. If we refused to separate from Saul, we shall certainly died with him in the battle and shall not reign with King David in the day of his coronation – whosoever is representing King Saul in our lives should be separated from and be attached with David for our future glory…. And Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God…and Jonathan went to his house. (I Samuel 23:16-18) Covenant with David is not enough, lips and tongue love would not do, and encouragement for David will not suffice in the sight of God if we do not identified, stand by and shared with him in the fellowship of his suffering to be counted worthy to reign with him in due course– faith without work is dead, being alone. If our David is in the wilderness, then Jonathan must in deed follow him there, for where Christ is, there shall his servants be or else we risk the chance to be spared in the day of Saul’s death and to miss reigning as second in command to David…..ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil. From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty. Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions. 2 Samuel 1: 21-23.
Saul is the type of Satan and unbeliever not in the fellowship with or in the will of God: while Jonathan is the type of Christ and believer – a double standard player. We should not love Christ by the words of mouth alone; we should love him and his brethren in an unfeigned love as we spend the time of our sojourn here in godly fear – obedience in faith walk. The battle against the soul is waged directly from the flesh and we shall be wise unto eternal life if we are not making provision for it to fulfill the lusts thereof. As people travels to the Netherlands for free pot smoking or as they travels yearly for carnival dance in Brazil and the yearly drinking of beer celebration in Germany the believer should abstain from fleshly lusts which wages war against his soul. His conversation or manners, moderation, faith life, appearances or presentation and attitudes should show his purpose and goal as heavenly bond travelers, looking for and journeying toward the country of his origin whose builder and maker is God. Hebrews 11: 8 – 16. 2 Corinthians 4; 17 – 18. 1 Peter 2:11-12.
There are character traits and moral emblems that portray the heavenly pilgrims of which they are tagged with and known for. (1) They are poor in the spirit — they shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. Matt. 5: 3. (2) They are pure in heart – they shall see God. Matt. 5: 8. (3) They live daily the crucified life to self and the world — they are not broad way seekers and wide gate travelers. Matt. 7: 13 – 14: 21 – 22. 1 John 2: 15 – 17. Matt. 18: 8 – 9. (4) They are rich towards God as they laboriously make investment for themselves in heaven. Matt. 6: 19 – 21. 1 Timothy 6: 17 – 19. (5) Their righteousness is more than the righteousness of the scribes and of the Pharisees. Matt. 5: 20. Luke 18: 9 – 12.
An immigrant and foreign citizen will send material goods against his home going and make financial investments in his own country against his retirement age. Thus in wisdom as he (believer) lives and work daily in his country of sojourner, he plans and work daily as well for his imminent and eventual return to his country of origin (heaven) in the near future. His submission to the word of God and daily demonstrations and attitudes of his unfeigned faith (1 Timothy 1:5) in the face of trails and contradiction of sinners as an heavenly bond pilgrim is the justification of his entitlement and abundance entrance into the kingdom of heaven as seen in his present conversation and interaction with the people of the world and in the church in his daily testimony, witnessing and re-​presentation of Christ for the recompense of reward in the greater riches in heaven…..they shall be mine says the Lord…..Your words have been stout against me, saith theLord. Yet ye say, what have we spoken so much against thee? Ye have said, it is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before theLordof hosts? And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered. Then they that feared theLordspake often one to another: and theLordhearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared theLord, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith theLordof hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. Malachi 3:13-18.
The Lord has prepared a city for his own – the beautiful, unshakable and solid country prepared for the heavenly pilgrims. They have no permanent place or country here as they lay up treasures in heaven for themselves against the time to come. Finally their faith is rewarded as their works are made manifest that they are wrought in God. Finally, the night has gone and the day is dawn – their salvation is manifested. The eternal bliss and glory, unending joy and everlasting enjoyment of eternal security in an unshakable home and habitation is the reward and the abode of the over-​comers. Great recompense of reward is now their portion. Better and an enduring substance is now their inheritance where a thief does not break through to steal and where most does not corrupt to rust. Hebrews 10: 32–39. Finally, the believer is now usher into his country of origin where there is no more night, darkness, hunger, sickness, fear and snare of the fowler, uncertainties of life, wars and death forever with his Lord and God! Amen. Revelation 21: 1–7. Revelation 22: 1 – 5.